Indigenous Initiatives Fund IV — Economic Development

• Project description
• Requested funding amount
• Business plan or project plan
• Budget and financing breakdown
• Recent financial statements, if applicable

Who is eligible?

• Indigenous communities
• Indigenous businesses
• female Indigenous entrepreneurs
• Indigenous business leaders aged 35 and under
• organizations

Who is not eligible

• Non-Indigenous organizations outside the social development component.
• Organizations whose projects are limited to basic operational activities in the social development component.
• Projects involving debt reimbursement or deficit coverage.
• Applications from entities listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts, for construction-related funding.

Eligible expenses

• Capital expenditures tied to eligible business projects.
• Study costs, including business plans and feasibility studies.
• Direct training costs for eligible entrepreneurial projects.
• Website and web platform design costs for digital transition activities.
• Project implementation costs, including professional fees, travel, translation, and materials where applicable.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Debt repayment or deficit coverage.
• Working capital.
• Loan service costs and capital losses.
• Indirect training costs such as accommodation and wage compensation.
• Land, building, equipment, and motor vehicle purchases in certain components.

Eligible geographic areas

• Québec

• Alignment with program objectives.
• Technical and financial feasibility.
• Quality of the organization and its experience.
• Market knowledge and client needs.
• Expected economic and social benefits.

• Step 1: Prepare the application
  • Describe the project and its objectives.
  • Outline the requested amount and financial need.
  • Include the budget, financing plan, and recent financial statements if applicable.
• Step 2: Submit to the SAA
  • Send the complete application to the Secrétariat aux Relations avec les Premières Nations et les Inuit.
  • Use the program contact email provided for submissions and questions.
• Step 3: Application review
  • The SAA reviews the file and may request sectoral opinions from other departments or partners.
• Step 4: Decision and agreement
  • Applicants receive an approval or refusal letter.
  • If approved, a funding agreement is signed before funding is paid.

• The SAA reviews the application and may seek input from other government departments or partners.
• The applicant receives a decision by letter of approval or refusal.
• If approved, a funding agreement is signed with the promoter.
• For projects over $25,000, reporting obligations are set in the agreement.
• Final payment is made only after required reports are submitted.

• The program runs from 2022-2023 to 2026-2027.
• Some components require a band council resolution or a special agreement.
• Applications are reviewed by the Secrétariat aux Relations avec les Premières Nations et les Inuit.
• Financial assistance is generally granted as a non-repayable contribution or a loan guarantee.