Closed
Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative
Funding for community workforce planning and retraining
Last Update: May 27, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
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
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
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.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations.
- For-profit organizations with non-commercial activities.
- Municipal governments.
- Indigenous organizations or governments.
- Educational institutions.
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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)