Frequently asked questions about communities, events, and privacy

Civic Atlas is the organization behind this website (Civic Atlas B.V., Netherlands). We support a Canada-focused community platform for learning, events, and shared knowledge. The goal is simple: make participation easier by presenting communities, resources, and event information in a structured, accessible way.

The content and participation opportunities are primarily oriented toward communities across Canada, including Canada-specific context like provinces and time zone references. People outside Canada can still explore resources and request information, but availability can vary by community or event organizer.

No. This website is operated by Civic Atlas B.V. (Netherlands) and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or any provincial, municipal, or public authority. Communities and events may be run by independent organizers and partners.

Membership requests are intended for people interested in learning and participation activities across Canada: skill-building sessions, local initiatives, moderated topic communities, and resource sharing. If you represent an organization and want to propose collaboration, choose “Partnership” in the contact form topic list.

Yes. Events can be online, local, or hybrid depending on the organizer. We aim to present unambiguous event metadata—format, time zone reference, and participation requirements—so people can decide quickly whether it fits their schedule.

Start with the Communities page and look for the practical details: category, participation format (online or local), and the “what happens here” description. A good fit is usually one where the expectations are explicit—what people share, how often activities happen, and what respectful participation looks like.

Yes. Communities are topic-based, and it’s common to join more than one—especially when a “skill” community (for example, digital skills) supports a “practice” community (for example, local volunteering). The main constraint is time; we prefer predictable cadence over noisy activity.

Resources are designed to be used, not just read: guides, checklists, articles, and event summaries. Many pieces include a short “what to try next” section to support learning loops. When external sources are referenced, we aim to cite them clearly in the resource itself.

We use contact form details to respond and keep a short record of the conversation for continuity. Optional marketing and analytics cookies are controlled through the cookie banner and settings panel. You can choose “Reject Non-Essential” and the site will still work. For details, read the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Information you submit through forms is used to (1) respond to your request, (2) coordinate participation where applicable, and (3) maintain a minimal audit trail so we can keep context if you follow up later. We do not ask for sensitive personal data through general forms, and we recommend keeping messages focused on the practical question.

Yes. If you opt in to occasional updates, you can unsubscribe using the link in the email message. If you want to stop all non-essential contact, send a request through the form and choose “Privacy Request” so we can route it correctly.

Use the contact form and choose “Accessibility” as the topic. Describe what would help (for example, captions, a readable document format, or a schedule constraint). We will coordinate with the relevant community or event organizer when the request is connected to a specific activity.

Send a message using the form and select “General Question” or “Other,” then include a short description and any relevant links or timestamps. Reports are reviewed with context. We prioritize issues like harassment, discrimination, spam, and sharing of personal information without consent.

Use “Manage cookie preferences” in the site footer. You can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or enable analytics and marketing cookies separately. Essential cookies are required for basic site functionality and cannot be switched off.