Contributions in support of Indigenous Economic Development

Who is eligible?

• First Nations communities
• Tribal councils
• Governments of self-governing First Nations
• Local governments of Inuit communities
• First Nations-controlled for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, partnerships, associations, co-operatives, and institutions
• First Nations businesses, partnerships, and joint ventures
• Provincial and territorial governments
• Academic institutions

Who is not eligible

• Projects involving community infrastructure that is not related to economic development, such as public office buildings, recreation and friendship centres, gaming houses, and public halls.
• Initiatives that do not result in an economic benefit to Indigenous people.
• Ongoing operating costs of First Nations organizations or other entities.

Eligible expenses

• Fees for consultants and qualified professionals.
• Technical services required for the project.
• Training and skills development for staff.
• Costs related to infrastructure development, including planning, design, construction, or repair.
• Capital expenditures.
• Purchase of machinery and equipment.
• Operating costs directly supporting project activities.
• Salaries, wages, and associated benefits for project personnel.
• Travel expenses, including accommodation, meals, and allowances linked to project delivery.
• Expenses for conferences, workshops, and meetings relevant to project objectives.
• Other reasonable costs necessary for project completion as agreed by program partners.

Eligible geographic areas

• No specific geographical restrictions are mentioned; eligible recipients include First Nations communities, Inuit communities, and related entities across Canada.

• Potential of the project or activity to generate net economic benefit to Indigenous people in Canada.
• Demonstrated management capacity and business expertise of the applicant in relation to the proposed project.
• Applicant’s ability to secure project financing from various sources.
• Necessity of government assistance for the project to proceed with the proposed scope, timing, and location.
• Alignment of the project with federal economic strategies and priorities.

• Step 1: Gather Required Information
  • Collect detailed information about your organization, including name, description, financial situation, and management and organizational capacity.
  • Prepare a thorough description of the proposed project, outlining activities to be undertaken, timelines, and cost forecasts.
  • Compile documentation related to partnership arrangements and commitments, as well as details of all sources of funding for the project.
  • Identify anticipated economic benefits, expected outcomes, and proposed performance measures.
• Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
  • Complete any specific forms or templates as required by the Strategic Partnerships Initiative or the lead department.
  • Include additional supporting documents if requested, such as business or strategic plans, documentation related to legal structure and project design, proof of compliance with laws and regulations, and information on environmental effects and mitigation measures.
• Step 3: Submit Application
  • Send your complete application package to the designated lead department coordinating the Strategic Partnerships Initiative.
  • The lead department will distribute your application to all relevant federal partner departments as required under the horizontal management structure.
• Step 4: Application Review and Assessment
  • The lead department and relevant partner departments will review the application against assessment criteria, including alignment with program objectives, project benefits, and recipient capacity.
• Step 5: Notification and Further Steps
  • Receive communication regarding the funding decision or requests for additional information, if needed.
  • If successful, finalize the funding agreement, including reporting and monitoring requirements as set by the lead department and partners.

• Preference will be given to projects where at least one third of funding is sourced from non-federal project participants, including financial or in-kind contributions.
• Recipients must submit a final report at project completion, in addition to annual progress and financial reports.
• Contributions to commercial entities may be repayable, depending on the project’s profitability.
• Projects may require periodic monitoring plans tailored to project risk.