Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF)
Canada
Canadian Experiences Fund enhances regional tourism offerings and infrastructure
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMay 22, 2019
- grant_single|closingDateMarch 31, 2021
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Canadian Experiences Fund offers up to $58.5 million over two years to support communities in creating or enhancing tourism products and facilities, with a focus on activities like winter tourism, rural tourism growth, Indigenous tourism, promoting inclusion, and farm-to-table culinary tourism. Eligible activities include the development of tourism-related products and services, marketing training, and the creation or improvement of tourist facilities.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports projects aimed at enhancing and diversifying the tourism sector in Canada, with a focus on seasonal expansion, community engagement, and inclusivity. The activities eligible for funding encourage the development of unique tourism experiences and infrastructure.
- Designing new tourism products and services or enhancing existing ones, such as tourist circuits, special events, and festivals.
- Training in market readiness, collaborating with tourism associations to offer training to businesses on product marketing, international payment systems adoption, and cultural differences management.
- Creating or improving tourism facilities by developing or renovating real estate for tourists, such as trails, campgrounds, and shelters.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the type of organization and the nature of the project.
- Eligible organizations include non-profit organizations, commercial enterprises, industry associations, and local or Indigenous administrations.
- Provincial or federal government organizations are not eligible to apply.
- Eligible projects must support the growth and diversification of the tourism sector, focusing on activities such as planning and developing tourism-related products and services, market readiness training, and the creation or enhancement of tourism facilities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF) is open to a wide range of organizations, including non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, industry associations, and local or Indigenous governments. Provincial or federal government organizations are not eligible to apply.Non-profit organizations may be eligible for funding that covers up to 100% of eligible costs. For-profit businesses can receive repayable funding covering up to 75% of eligible costs, depending on the type of costs involved.Eligible projects are those that support the growth and diversification of the tourism sector through activities such as developing and improving tourism-related products and services, offering training for market readiness, and creating or enhancing tourism facilities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is not available to certain organizations, mainly due to their governmental status. Only eligible entities retaining the capability to contribute to tourism sector growth and diversification are considered.
- Provincial or federal government organizations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers expenses directly associated with the development and implementation of tourism-related projects.
- Expenses for planning and developing tourism products and services, including designing new offerings or enhancing existing ones.
- Costs associated with market-readiness training, such as collaborating with tourism associations to provide marketing training.
- Expenses related to the creation or improvement of tourism facilities, including renovation or construction of infrastructure for tourists.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant supports tourism growth and diversification projects across Canada. It aims to develop tourism activities particularly outside major cities and beyond the summer season.
- Rural and remote communities in Canada.
- Canadian communities focusing on indigenous tourism.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Fonds pour les expériences canadiennes (FEC) emphasize alignment with specific priorities to enhance the tourism sector.
- Enhancement of winter and shoulder season tourism through innovative experiences or facility improvements.
- Encouragement of tourism growth in rural and remote communities, focusing on community beautification and local experiences.
- Promotion of Indigenous tourism through market readiness and unique cultural offerings.
- Support for inclusion, especially for the LGBTQ2 community, via specialized training and inclusive events.
- Development of farm-to-table and culinary tourism through gastronomic tours and local market enhancements.
- Bonus points for proposals that include skill development, job creation, and environmental and economic sustainability.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Contact Program Officer
- Reach out to your designated program officer to discuss your project needs and ensure alignment with the fund's priorities.
- Step 2: Prepare Project Proposal
- Develop a comprehensive project proposal that aligns with one or more of the five fund priorities.
- Include details on how your project supports tourism growth and diversification.
- Highlight potential contributions to skill development, job creation, and environmental and economic sustainability.
- Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents
- Compile necessary supporting documents, such as financial statements, evidence of previous experience, and letters of support from partners.
- Step 4: Application Submission
- Complete the application form as required by the funding body.
- Submit the proposal and all supporting documents by the stated deadline.
- Step 5: Await Confirmation
- Receive confirmation of receipt of your application from the funding body.
- Note any reference number provided for future correspondence.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here is an additional relevant detail for this grant:
- For best practices and optimal proposal crafting, contacting a program officer to discuss specific project needs and alignment with fund priorities is recommended.
Apply to this program
Empowering Canadian Tourism Development
The Fonds pour les expériences canadiennes provides substantial financial support to community-driven tourism initiatives across Canada, aiming to diversify and enhance tourist experiences while promoting regional economic growth. This fund reflects Canada's commitment to expanding its tourism sector beyond urban centers and traditional peak seasons to foster year-round, inclusive travel experiences.
Detailed Insights into the Fonds pour les expériences canadiennes
The Fonds pour les expériences canadiennes (FEC) is a strategic initiative by the Canadian government designed to invigorate the national tourism economy through targeted investments in community-specific projects. With an allocation of $58.5 million over two years, including $6 million dedicated to projects in Atlantic Canada, the fund is constructed to maximize the potential of Canada's diverse landscapes and cultural assets. The FEC focuses on developing new tourism products and experiences or enhancing existing ones, as well as creating, renovating, or expanding tourism facilities. The aim is not just to boost the number of visitors but to enrich their experiences, encouraging repeat visits and fostering long-term tourism sustainability.
Centrally, the FEC aligns with Canada’s broader tourism strategy, "Creating Middle Class Jobs: A Federal Tourism Growth Strategy," which seeks to generate employment, stimulate the economy, and promote sustainable practices across the tourism sector. By decentralizing tourism activities from major urban hubs to rural and remote locations, the fund addresses geographical imbalances in tourism development. This allows for the discovery and promotion of unique local attributes across Canada, enhancing community aesthetics, promoting ecotourism, and supporting various adventure and cultural tourism activities outside of the well-trodden paths.
The grant prioritizes five key objectives, which encompass enhancing winter and shoulder-season tourism, cultivating rural and remote community tourism, expanding Indigenous tourism, promoting inclusiveness, especially towards the LGBTQ2 community, and encouraging farm-to-table and culinary tourism experiences. By diversifying tourism offerings, the FEC not only supports community-specific economic development but also showcases the dynamic range of Canada’s cultural and natural treasures.
Eligible applicants are drawn from a wide array of organizations, including non-profit entities, commercial businesses, industry associations, and local or Indigenous governments. Uniquely, this inclusivity ensures a comprehensive range of stakeholders are supported, while provincial and federal government bodies are excluded to maintain a focus on grassroots and community-based initiatives. For non-profit organizations, the FEC covers up to 100% of eligible costs, whereas commercial entities may receive up to 75% in repayable contributions, ensuring financial accessibility for a broad spectrum of project types.
This initiative not only funds product and service development related to tourism but also supports marketing preparations through collaborations with tourism associations. These partnerships offer training for businesses on product marketing, integrating international payment systems, and managing cultural differences to better equip them for global tourist engagement. Furthermore, the FEC supports the establishment and enhancement of tourism infrastructure, paving the way for modern, accessible, and sustainable travel accommodations like trails, campsites, and shelters, which are pivotal for enhancing visitor experiences.
In conclusion, the Fonds pour les expériences canadiennes stands as a cornerstone of Canada’s tourism advancement strategy, effectively bridging resources and opportunities to elevate tourism's role in economic and community development. By investing in varied tourism experiences and promoting inclusivity and innovation, the fund supports a sustainable tourism industry that reflects and protects Canada's unique cultural and environmental heritage for generations to come.