Power Up! The Equity and Technology Forum
On February 17, 2022, members of non-profits, local government, and service providers joined Energize Bridgewater for a morning of learning and discussion about improving access to technology for Bridgewater residents.
Energize Bridgewater Planner Nathalie Vogel spearheaded the virtual event, which combined both interactive presentations and small group discussions.
The morning began with presentations from The Clean Foundation and Efficiency Nova Scotia.
Currently partnered with Energize Bridgewater to deliver the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, The Clean Foundation is a non-profit that works throughout Nova Scotia to reduce energy poverty. The presentation noted many barriers to accessing clean energy technology, including a scarcity of programs for renters, the upfront costs involved in rebate programs, and insufficient funding in general.
Efficiency Nova Scotia design and deliver resource efficiency programs and services to help households and businesses reduce their energy costs. Their presentation outlined the HomeWarming program, which provides free energy efficient upgrades to income-qualified homeowners and is funded by the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power.
Presenters from both organizations noted the importance of navigational support in the energy efficiency retrofit process. A small group session followed where discussion of these and other barriers continued.
The second set of presentations, given by Brilliant Labs and the Lunenburg County Seniors’ Safety Program, dug into the deeper equity issues surrounding access to technology for vulnerable populations and the benefits to gaining that access. Vogel also discussed the findings of a community survey conducted by the Town of Bridgewater that collected information about the various digital platforms local organizations use, and the challenges those organizations see their clients facing in accessing services.
A second small group session followed where participants focused on solutions and collaboration following from the day’s presentations.
Participants and facilitators agreed that the forum was a much-needed opportunity to network and further develop solutions together as a community, and plans are in the works to come together again in the future. However, some key findings from the event stood out immediately:
Affordable and reliable internet connections are a challenge for many residents in the Bridgewater area.
There are many organizations interested in working together to support local technology initiatives and training to support peoples’ needs.
Technology skills are required for everything from finding housing to applying for government support programs.
Organizations should consider how they can best support Bridgewater residents in comfortably using digital platforms so that people can get the help they need.
What comes next? Vogel says that with these findings in hand Energize and its partners can refine programming to address barriers and provide solutions.
At Energize Bridgewater, the motto is Everyone wins when nobody gets left behind, and this event is part of the program’s commitment to reducing both energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions for all Bridgewater residents by helping the most vulnerable members of our community first.
