Economic Trust of the Southern Interior BC (ETSI-BC) - Building Economic Development Capacity

• Funding application form
• Supporting information submitted electronically
• Letter of support, if required
• Confirmation of other funding sources
• Project plan and related supporting studies or reports

Who is eligible?

• Local governments (municipalities and regional districts) and their associated economic development organizations
• Indigenous communities and their associated economic development organizations
• Non-Profit Business Support organizations serving the region, such as Other Economic Development organizations, Industry Associations, Accelerators and Cooperative Groups

Who is not eligible

• Private individuals
• For-profit private sector businesses
• Corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and sole proprietorships acting as private sector businesses
• Applicants with an open ETSI-BC project and an overdue report
• Applicants funded twice in the last four consecutive intakes

Eligible expenses

• Professional consulting and contractor fees
• Travel costs related to the project
• Technology rental for computers, communications, or audio/video equipment
• Marketing, outreach, and promotional materials
• Project administration costs up to 10% of ETSI-BC funding

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Wages for existing staff or staff funded through other government programs
• Supplementary wages or contract fees on an existing contract
• Office equipment
• Living expenses or car allowance
• Costs incurred before project approval or not specifically approved in the budget

Eligible geographic areas

• ETSI-BC service area in Southern Interior British Columbia
• Communities within the Columbia-Kootenay region
• Communities within the Thompson-Okanagan region

• Priority is given to communities and First Nations with < 7,500 residents for Small Scale projects
• Priority is given to communities with < 25,000 residents for Large Scale projects

• Step 1: Contact ETSI-BC before applying
  • Discuss the proposed project scope.
  • Check alignment with the funding stream.
• Step 2: Prepare the application
  • Complete the funding application on the ETSI-BC Grant Application Portal.
  • Submit all supporting information electronically.
• Step 3: Submit the application
  • Upload the completed application through the portal.
  • Provide confirmation of other funding sources if requested.
• Step 4: Await review and decision
  • ETSI-BC staff complete due diligence.
  • The application is reviewed by the Regional Advisory Committee and, if needed, the Board.
  • Decision is sent by email.
• Step 5: Sign the agreement and receive funds
  • Sign the Contribution Agreement once all other funding is secured.
  • Funds are released only after the agreement is fully executed.

• The application is reviewed by ETSI-BC staff through preliminary due diligence.
• The request is forwarded to the Regional Advisory Committee for review and recommendation.
• Funding decisions may require ETSI-BC Board approval.
• Applicants are notified by email after the review process.
• A Contribution Agreement must be signed before any funds are released.

• Next Funding Intake opens September 1, 2026.
• Information sessions are scheduled for September 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM Pacific Time and September 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.
• An application guide is available for review and download.