Open
Lands and Economic Development Services Program
Supports Indigenous economic development and sustainable land management
Last Update: March 6, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : May 12, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The Lands and Economic Development Services Program, administered by Indigenous Services Canada, provides funding to First Nations and Inuit communities to enhance economic development and improve land and environmental management through operational and project-based initiatives. Eligible activities include community economic development planning, capacity building, land management, and environmental stewardship; the maximum funding amount is not specified.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : May 12, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and implementation of economic development plans for First Nations and Inuit communities.
- Capacity-building initiatives to enhance land and resource management skills.
- Support for environmental management and pollution prevention projects, particularly waste management on reserve lands.
- Preparation for participation in major resource development initiatives and strategic economic development activities.
- Projects that facilitate the addition of lands to reserves, including land designations and surveys that support economic development.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations communities
- Inuit communities
Eligible expenses
- Operational costs for delivering economic development services.
- Capacity development initiatives related to land and economic management.
- Proposal development support expenses.
- Costs associated with the management of reserve lands, resources, and the environment.
- Expenses for on-reserve environmental management, including waste management and pollution prevention.
- Support services to prevent contamination of reserve lands.
- Costs related to land codes, individual agreements, land management systems, and environmental agreements.
- Expenses for land additions, designations, and surveys that enable economic development.
Eligible geographic areas
- First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada
Additional information
- The program combines five prior community-based economic and land management support programs under a single initiative.
- Administered by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) since 2014.
- Priority is given to initiatives that strengthen land management and economic development within Indigenous communities.
- Date of last modification for program information: June 11, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lands and Economic Development Services Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Lands and Economic Development Services Program. 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 Lands and Economic Development Services Program?
The Lands and Economic Development Services Program, administered by Indigenous Services Canada, provides funding to First Nations and Inuit communities to enhance economic development and improve land and environmental management through operational and project-based initiatives. Eligible activities include community economic development planning, capacity building, land management, and environmental stewardship; the maximum funding amount is not specified.
Who is eligible for the Lands and Economic Development Services Program program?
To be eligible for the Lands and Economic Development Services Program program, you must:
Must be an Indigenous-owned business or support Indigenous business participation.
Project must contribute to Indigenous economic development.
What expenses are eligible under Lands and Economic Development Services Program?
Development and implementation of economic development plans for First Nations and Inuit communities.
Capacity-building initiatives to enhance land and resource management skills.
Support for environmental management and pollution prevention projects, particularly waste management on reserve lands.
Preparation for participation in major resource development initiatives and strategic economic development activities.
Projects that facilitate the addition of lands to reserves, including land designations and surveys that support economic development.
Where is the Lands and Economic Development Services Program available?
The Lands and Economic Development Services Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Lands and Economic Development Services Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Lands and Economic Development Services Program is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Lands and Economic Development Services Program?
Lands and Economic Development Services Program is funded by Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)