It Takes A Local

Social Good Award

EMDASH AGENCY

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

It Takes A Local to welcome refugees into communities—that simple idea anchored the work. The brief was to launch a campaign for Refugee613 that would increase awareness of refugee sponsorship programs and inspire more Canadians to participate. From the outset, Emdash understood that It Takes a Local needed to do more than raise awareness; it had to move people from passive empathy to active participation. Instead of focusing on policy or bureaucracy, the campaign centered around neighbourly gestures: taking someone to the grocery store, explaining school sign-ups or showing them where the bus stop is. These are simple acts, but together, they form the backbone of a successful resettlement.

It Takes A Local merch, including a branded tote bag and t-shirt

The logo is a dynamic, modular mark built for both flexibility and impact. At first glance, it’s a simple house shape, conveying warmth, stability and community. But with a subtle rotation, it transforms into a directional arrow, a location pin or a symbol of forward movement. The rotational symmetry gives it visual balance while reinforcing the idea that no matter which way you come into a neighbourhood, welcome is possible.

The result was a campaign about neighbourhood-building. About how ordinary people, acting collectively, can do something extraordinary.