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FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI)
Funding for Northern Ontario Francophone economic development
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 57,500
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
FedNor provides funding of up to $57,500 for projects that support economic development in Northern Ontario’s Francophone communities. It supports initiatives in business development, community development, research and planning, networking, internships, and bilingual service expansion.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 57,500 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Language Minorities
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business and economic development activities for Francophone communities in Northern Ontario.
- Networking, collaboration, research, and planning initiatives with tangible economic results.
- Youth internships in French or bilingual settings to support project delivery.
- Projects that help SMEs expand into bilingual markets and use linguistic duality.
- Initiatives that strengthen Francophone arts, culture, and niche sectors.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Community and economic development corporations.
- Not-for-profit organizations.
- Sectoral associations.
- Post-secondary institutions offering full-time programs in French.
- Municipalities serving the Francophone community.
Who is not eligible
- Small and medium-sized enterprises.
Eligible expenses
- Professional and technical services, including project implementation and engineering.
- Community engagement, planning, facilitation, and facility rental.
- Production and dissemination of study or plan results.
- Marketing, promotional materials, advertising, demonstrations, and trade show participation.
- Travel, labour, leasehold improvements, equipment, machinery, and technology.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Educational, health care, retail, wholesale, accommodation, and administrative infrastructure.
- Social or recreational facilities such as museums, libraries, cultural centres, recreation centres, tourist information centres, and arenas.
- Theoretical research without a concrete result, tool, or plan.
- Waste management disposal, government services, land, and rolling stock.
- Costs incurred or legally committed before the eligibility date.
Eligible geographic areas
- Northern Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed as they are received.
- Projects are assessed against EDI objectives, expected results, and overall merit.
- Review also considers the business case, financial projections, past results, and possible risks to project success.
- Funding decisions depend on project viability and available EDI funds.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.
Additional information
- The program currently has limited budget availability due to high demand.
- Applicants are advised to contact a FedNor officer to discuss the project before applying.
- Applications are assessed as they are received.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI). 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 FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI)?
FedNor provides funding of up to $57,500 for projects that support economic development in Northern Ontario’s Francophone communities. It supports initiatives in business development, community development, research and planning, networking, internships, and bilingual service expansion.
How much funding can be received?
FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $57,500 per project.
Who is eligible for the FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI) program?
To be eligible for the FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI) program, you must:
Located in Northern Ontario
Provides services in French
Supports bilingual project activities
What expenses are eligible under FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI)?
Business and economic development activities for Francophone communities in Northern Ontario.
Networking, collaboration, research, and planning initiatives with tangible economic results.
Youth internships in French or bilingual settings to support project delivery.
Projects that help SMEs expand into bilingual markets and use linguistic duality.
Initiatives that strengthen Francophone arts, culture, and niche sectors.
Who can I contact for more information about the FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI)?
You can contact Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) by email at none or by phone at 1-877-333-6673.
Where is the FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI) available?
The FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI) is a Grant and Funding