SEOF's current programming is focused on the following.

Social Bottom Line Reporting

Triple bottom line reporting has been suggested as a means to assess how investments perform with respect to financial, environmental, and social sustainability goals. Financial dimensions of the triple bottom line are fairly well understood and a great deal of progress has been made regarding environmental dimensions. Significant gaps, however, exist in the conceptualization and specification of social dimensions of the triple bottom line.

The Forum is leading an initiative to develop a process for assessing social sustainability impacts of development. The purpose of this project is to define criteria for the social bottom line of community investments, and evaluation measures for assessing whether, and to what extent, such criteria are met.

Phase Two focuses on implementing social bottom line assessment in the region. Building upon the findings of Phase One, important issues regarding the mechanics of implementation will be addressed. The process will be developed collaboratively by a work group that includes representatives of development, finance, government, business, community, labor, and research sectors.

Regional Equity Action Engagement

SEOF is partnering with the Coalition for a Livable Future (CLF) to engage with community members in developing a Regional Equity Action Agenda that builds on the path-breaking Regional Equity Atlas. The Equity Atlas, produced in collaboration with PSU's Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, examines the distribution of benefits and burdens of growth in the region and provides a framework for understanding whether populations are receiving their fair share of investment in the physical and social infrastructures necessary to thrive.

The Regional Equity Action Agenda is being developed to inform policy and programs. SEOF is working with CLF to engage diverse community groups in identifying solutions and participating in agenda implementation.

SEOF is cosponsoring the 2008 Annual Regional Livability Summit with CLF, May 28, 2008.

What's the Big Idea? Lecture Series

The Social Equity and Opportunity Forum sponsors events that inform and inspire thinking about social sustainability issues. The Big Idea Lecture Series is designed to expand our understanding about conditions, causes, consequences, and solutions. Our inaugural event, November 1, 2007 drew a crowd of nearly 200 people to hear Michael Shellenberger's thoughts about building prosperity while addressing global climate change. Learn more about our speaker series or sign up for event announcements.

Publications

The Social Equity and Opportunity Forum aims to produce timely, accessible analyses that support understanding and action on these issues. These can be found on the publications page.

Growing Opportunities

Food lies at the intersection of equity and opportunity -- from food access and health outcomes, to farmworker well-being, to viability of small and beginning farms. According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, 25% to 50% of Oregon farmland is expected to change hands in the next decade -- yet, no vision or strategy exists to address this tremendous change. SEOF is collaborating with other leaders in the region to ensure that the Oregon's food and farm sector serves equity and opportunity goals.

We've authored a report titled, Growing Opportunity: An Examination of Existing Farm Link Programs and Their Applicability to Oregon, that explores options for linking farmers and ranchers with the land, capital, technical, and other resources they need to successfully transition their operation (enter, exit, or expand). As a follow-up to that report, we are working with a group of key food and farm professionals to develop a strategy for successfully addressing farm transition and vitality in Oregon. Stay tuned.