Closed
Source verified May 27, 2026
Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative
Funding for community workforce planning and retraining
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides funding for community-led projects that support workers affected by a major layoff. It can cover workforce planning, skills training, and work experiences that help workers transition to new jobs, with a maximum of one project funded per layoff event.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing a community workforce plan.
- Training workers for new jobs.
- Providing work experiences for affected workers.
- Supporting employers to fill in-demand jobs.
Documents Needed
- Expression of interest form with all mandatory information.
- Evidence of the layoff event and number of workers affected.
- Evidence of local labour market conditions.
- Source confirming the layoff, such as news or employer communication.
- Rationale for combining multiple layoffs into one project, if applicable.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations.
- For-profit organizations with non-commercial activities.
- Municipal governments.
- Indigenous organizations or governments.
- Educational institutions.
Selection criteria
- Alignment with program priorities and objectives.
- Evidence of a permanent mass layoff affecting the community.
- Strength of the case that local labour market conditions make transition difficult.
- Ability of the project to support workforce planning and worker retraining.
How to apply
- Step 1: Submit expression of interest
- Send the required information by email.
- Include all mandatory details needed for assessment.
- Step 2: Receive review result
- Wait for confirmation of receipt.
- Provide any missing information within 5 business days if requested.
- Receive eligibility confirmation within 3 to 4 business days.
- Step 3: Submit full application if invited
- Complete the project application within 20 business days.
- Submit the application for consideration under the funding opportunity.
Processing and Agreement
- Expressions of interest are reviewed for eligibility within 3 to 4 business days.
- Incomplete submissions may require missing information within 5 business days.
- Eligible applicants are invited to submit a full project application.
- Full applications are assessed against all requirements.
- An invitation to apply does not guarantee funding.
Additional information
- Only one project is funded per layoff event.
- Applications are submitted through an expression of interest first.
- Eligible organizations may be invited to submit a full project application.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative Program
What is the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative?
This program provides funding for community-led projects that support workers affected by a major layoff. It can cover workforce planning, skills training, and work experiences that help workers transition to new jobs, with a maximum of one project funded per layoff event.
Who is eligible for the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative program, you must:
Eligible organization type.
Mass layoff impact.
Local labour market difficulty.
What expenses are eligible under Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative?
Developing a community workforce plan.
Training workers for new jobs.
Providing work experiences for affected workers.
Supporting employers to fill in-demand jobs.
Who can I contact for more information about the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at EDSC.DGOP.ICPPPE-CROI.POB.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative available?
The Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative program is available across Canada.
Is the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative is a Partnering and Collaboration
Who are the financial supporters of the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative?
Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)