B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program – Stream 2

This program provides specific funding opportunities for Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations in British Columbia to enhance their participation in the food and agriculture sector. Funding amounts vary depending on the program step and community engagement needs.

• Applicants are eligible to receive up to $5,000 for an Agriculture Opportunities Assessment (Step 1) project.
• Up to $10,000 is available for Financial and Business Planning (Step 2) projects.
• An additional $2,000 of funding is available for community engagement activities for each project step, making a potential total of $4,000 for both steps.
• The overall maximum funding per applicant is capped at $15,000 across the funding cycle.
• Applicants are responsible for covering any costs that exceed these funding limits.

To be eligible for the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their organizational status and geographic location.

• The applicant must be an Indigenous government, community, or organization within the Province of British Columbia.
• Eligible entities include a band or tribal council, self-governing First Nation or Métis Nation Chartered Community, society or association, economic development corporation, Indigenous organization or association, and Indigenous for-profit or not-for-profit corporation, cooperative, institution, partnership, or joint venture.
• For Step 2 (Financial and Business Planning), the applicant must have completed Step 1 (Agricultural Opportunities Assessment) or an equivalent business planning process.
• Indigenous entrepreneurs are not eligible for this stream but may apply through the Indigenous Entrepreneur Stream.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

This grant program has specific exclusions to ensure alignment with the objectives of promoting Indigenous involvement in the agriculture sector. The main restriction is on individual Indigenous entrepreneurs.

• Individual Indigenous entrepreneurs are not eligible for this stream of the program, but have a separate stream available to them.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports Indigenous agriculture and food sector development by funding feasibility assessments and business planning. Projects focus on planning and analysis to enhance agricultural opportunities and business viability.

• Feasibility assessment of agricultural development options and food security planning.
• Situation analysis, including reviewing current agriculture and food resources.
• Conducting economic analysis, including financial analysis and marketing opportunities.
• Conducting risk assessment and mitigation planning.
• Identifying enterprises with high success potential.
• Drafting estimates for infrastructure and start-up costs.
• Creating a comprehensive business plan with detailed financial analysis.
• Developing a marketing strategy for agricultural ventures.
• Community engagement activities to support project planning and implementation.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically available to organizations, communities, and governments operating within the Province of British Columbia. Entities eligible under this program must be based in this geographical area to align with the funding body’s objectives.

• Indigenous governments, communities, or organizations in British Columbia.
• Entities including a band or tribal council within British Columbia.
• Self-governing First Nations or Métis Nation Chartered Community in British Columbia.
• Economic development corporations within British Columbia.
• Indigenous businesses and organizations based in the Province of British Columbia.

The evaluation and selection criteria for the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program are based on eligibility and merit, aligning with the program’s objectives on supporting Indigenous peoples in the food and agriculture sector.

• Eligibility of Applicant: Must be an Indigenous government, community, or organization in British Columbia.
• Completion of Step 1 for Step 2 Applications: Applicants must have completed Step 1 or an equivalent business planning or assessment process for Financial and Business Planning projects.
• Priority to New Applicants: Preference is given to first-time applicants within the same fiscal year.
• Project Proposal Quality: Thoroughness, accuracy, and alignment with eligible activities and minimum deliverables.
• Consultant Qualifications: Utilization of a Qualified Business Consultant for project execution.
• Detailed Project Budget: Clear detailing of project budget, including use of optional Community Engagement Top-up Fund.

Additional information about the B.C. Indigenous Agriculture Development Program include guidelines for qualified consultants, project timelines, and payment procedures.

• Project timelines have been extended to a maximum of 150 days.
• Final Reports must include an executive summary, project overview, list of recommendations, references, and appendices for any calculations used.
• Payments will only be made to the Primary Consultant.
• Travel costs may be included but must not exceed 20% of the project cost and no travel outside of B.C. will be reimbursed.
• The Ministry reserves the right to remove a Qualified Business Consultant from the Qualified Consultant List if quality standards are not met.
• All Final Reports will be reviewed for thoroughness, accuracy, and responsiveness to agreed-upon deliverables.