-
Galiano Island: Penelakut Traditional Territory
-
Quadra Island: Wei Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Traditional Territory
-
Saturna Island: Tsawout and Tseycum, WSÁNEĆ Traditional Territory
-
Hornby Island: Pentlach Traditional Territory
-
Denman Island: Pentlach Traditional Territory
-
Mayne Island: W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Territory
-
Gabriola Island: Snuneymuxw Traditional Territory
-
Salt Spring Island: Tsawout Traditional Territory
-
Pender Island: W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Territory
-
Bowen Island: Squamish Traditional Territory
-
Cortes Island: Homalco, Tla'amin, and Klahoose Traditional Territory
Resilience Through Partnership
The Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) promotes economic resilience across the rural islands of British Columbia. Together with partners and supporters, RIEP fosters community engagement, coordination, and collaboration to achieve local economic goals sustainably.
Collaborate Regionally, Achieve Results Locally
RIEP offers a platform for inter-island communication, information sharing and collaborative initiatives to address, through a rural islands lens, the economic and social challenges facing island communities through the pandemic and beyond.
Keep the Islands Vibrant
British Columbia’s rural islands are social and cultural gems. They are home to diverse communities of changemakers, innovators, and creators. RIEP serves rural island communities—including Indigenous communities with traditional and reserve lands—on Bowen, Broughton Archipelago, Cormorant, Cortes, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Malcolm, Mayne, Pender, Quadra, Salt Spring, Saturna, Texada, and Thetis & Penelakut islands. Our Partnership includes individuals, businesses, organizations, and governments interested in fostering healthy and vibrant communities across the islands.
Join RIEP Today!
Together, we leverage our strengths and deliver meaningful results for all of British Columbia’s rural island communities—as a RIEP member, you can:
- Get discounted registration for the RIEP Forum, our 'unconference conference' consisting of inspiring presentations where we develop ideas for shared and addressing ways to overcome challenges, and engage in valuable networking and celebration of the creative fabric of our rural island communities.
- Participate in Connection Cafés, lively topical inter-island meet-ups where you can connect with fellow rural islanders to share ideas, provide mutual support, and strengthen connections.
- Take advantage of Rising Tide Business Services, offering affordable digital marketing tools and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses to discover new markets for their businesses.
News

‘Unconference Conference’ for BC’s Rural Islands Includes Pledge for Action on Economic, Environmental & Social Challenges
Registration is now open for the 2023 RIEP Forum, taking place April 25-27 on Gabriola Island. Organizers of the 2023 Forum, a conference focused on … [Read More...] about ‘Unconference Conference’ for BC’s Rural Islands Includes Pledge for Action on Economic, Environmental & Social Challenges

#exploreBCruralislands Launches October 20
The Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) is excited to announce the multi-media launch of its Fall and Early Winter season #exploreBCruralislands … [Read More...] about #exploreBCruralislands Launches October 20

RIEP Board Director, Julie Sperber, Appointed President and CEO of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance
The Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) is proud to announce exciting news – RIEP’s Board Director Julie Sperber has been appointed President … [Read More...] about RIEP Board Director, Julie Sperber, Appointed President and CEO of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance
Find out how RIEP is helping rural island economies with Rising Tide Business Services.
Access meaningful local and regional information. Browse rural island-focused resources and find out about RIEP's upcoming events.
Meet fellow rural islanders who have joined the RIEP movement.
Join a vibrant inter-island community! Add your voice to an exciting partnership that serves over 18 rural islands of BC.
Meet fellow rural islanders who have joined the RIEP movement.
Find out how RIEP is helping rural island economies with Rising Tide Business Services.
Access meaningful local and regional information. Browse rural island-focused resources and find out about RIEP's upcoming events.
We are deeply grateful for the financial and in-kind contributions all helping to build and sustain BC’s rural island economies, culture, livelihoods and collective voice.
Island Stories

‘Namgis Business Development Corporation has a new look thanks to Rising Tide Business Services
The Rural Island Economic Partnership is pleased to welcome the 'Namgis Business Development Corporation (“NBDC”), as an organizational member and … [Read More...] about ‘Namgis Business Development Corporation has a new look thanks to Rising Tide Business Services

The Quadra Island Cookbook Comeback: Good Food for a Good Cause
During the summer of 2021, more than 75 Quadra Island residents came together to taste test over 350 home-cooked recipes created by over 100 … [Read More...] about The Quadra Island Cookbook Comeback: Good Food for a Good Cause

Living Through the Pandemic on Malcolm Island: “Sisu”
Marjorie Giroux of Malcolm Island fills the role of Community Developer at the Sointula Resource Centre Society and is a Rural Islands Economic … [Read More...] about Living Through the Pandemic on Malcolm Island: “Sisu”
Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars!
RIEP Forum 2023
The 2023 RIEP Forum is an “unconference” conference for island settlers, Indigenous communities and allies - an opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting, reflect on common challenges and new ideas, and act! Join us on Gabriola Island, this April 25-27th.
Find out more »In Case You Missed It
RIEP Forum 2022
BC's rural islanders and allies engaged and deepened connections at the virtual RIEP Forum, held Nov 18-19 2022.
Find out more »Connection Café – 31 May 2022
Stay Competitive: Biz Tools for Generating Year-Round Revenues. Watch the recording here!
Find out more »