PacifiCan — Economic Development Initiative
BC, Canada
Funding to support francophone businesses and communities in British Columbia
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Canada
- Pacific Economic Development Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get a non-repayable contribution for projects and initiatives that foster economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships and increased support for francophone SMEs.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies located in specific geographical areas where there are Francophone communities in Western Canada. The eligible locations are targeted to enhance the economic development of Francophone communities.
- Projects within British Columbia associated with the Francophone clientele from Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs).
- Locations in Western Canada that have Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) presence.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$90,000
Expansion of the Francophone community center to meet growing community needs
$75,000
Development of a Francophone tourism circuit to promote local businesses
$68,000
Enhanced access to the Red River for recreational activities
$70,000
Creating a Francophone tourism mobile app to explore Quebec City’s historic sites
$85,000
Building a Francophone cultural library to support community engagement
$80,000
Digital broadcast of Francophone performing arts events to reach a wider audience
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the language of operation and target community impact.
- Applicants must work in French and contribute to the development and vitality of British Columbia's Francophonie.
- Projects must serve a Francophone clientele from official language minority communities (OLMCs) in British Columbia.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
There are eligible types of companies for this grant. Businesses working in French to contribute to the development and vitality of British Columbia's Francophonie are eligible.
- Companies serving a Francophone clientele from official language minority communities in British Columbia.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies may not be eligible for this grant. Eligibility criteria may exclude companies that do not work in French or do not contribute to the development and vitality of British Columbia's Francophonie.
- Companies that do not work in French
- Companies that do not contribute to the development and vitality of British Columbia's Francophonie
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports projects that contribute to economic development and serve Francophone communities in British Columbia. The projects aim to enhance cultural initiatives, improve community infrastructure, and promote Francophone tourism.
- Creation of Francophone tourism circuits to enhance business activities and cultural awareness.
- Expansion of cultural and community spaces for various uses, including performing arts and educational purposes.
- Development of infrastructure to improve access to natural resources for recreational and tourism purposes.
- Digital broadcasting of Francophone performing arts to reach larger audiences and promote cultural events.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers expenses that are essential for the successful execution and impact of the project.
- Personnel costs involved in implementing project activities.
- Costs associated with purchasing or renting equipment needed for the project.
- Expenses for promotional activities related to the project, including marketing materials.
- Expenses for organizing events or activities related to the project objectives.
- Travel expenses directly related to the delivery and management of project activities.
- Professional fees for consultancy or specialized services required for the project's success.
- Costs for digital tools or platforms necessary for broadcasting or expanding project reach.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) grant in British Columbia has specific evaluation and selection criteria to determine project funding eligibility:
- Applicant(s) must work in French and contribute to the development and vitality of British Columbia's Francophonie.
- Projects must serve a Francophone clientele from OLMCs in British Columbia.
- Projects funded under the program may be local, provincial, or interprovincial in scope and must demonstrate measurable benefits in sectors like economic diversification, economic immigration, the green economy, youth, and tourism.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Contact Local FEDO
- Identify and contact your local Francophone Economic Development Organization (FEDO) in British Columbia.
- Discuss your project idea with them to ensure alignment with the grant's objectives and eligibility criteria.
- Step 2: Prepare Application Documentation
- Prepare a detailed project proposal that outlines the project’s goals, impact, and alignment with the focus sectors (e.g., economic diversification, economic immigration, green economy, youth, tourism).
- Ensure all necessary supporting documents are collected, such as business plans, letters of support, and budgets.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Email the completed application package to fdefo@cecs-sk.ca.
- Include all required documents and ensure the email is sent before any application deadlines provided by your local FEDO.
- Step 4: Follow-Up
- Await confirmation of receipt from the FEDO managing your application.
- Be prepared to provide additional information or clarification if requested.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- Projects must align with the Economic Development Initiative goals and priorities outlined in the official guidelines.
- Applicants should ensure their projects clearly demonstrate a positive impact on economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises in official language minority communities.
grant_single_labels|contact
fdefo@cecs-sk.ca
Apply to this program
Empowering Francophone Economic Growth in British Columbia
The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) grant is tailored to foster economic diversification, business innovations, and partnerships in Francophone communities of British Columbia. By supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs), the grant aims to spur sustainable economic growth and cultural vitality.
Detailed Insights into the Economic Development Initiative Grant
The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) represents a pivotal financial incentive designed to enrich the economic landscape of Francophone communities across British Columbia. Operating under the broader ambit of Canada's "Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future," the EDI is part of a substantial federal commitment—$2.7 billion over five years—toward enhancing the development of official language communities across the nation, with a focused infusion of $3.2 million in Western Canada's Francophone economic structure.PacifiCan and its counterparts, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, along with regional development agencies, administer this grant to galvanize economic progress across the Francophone spheres. Aligning with this strategy, the EDI is being piloted through the Fonds de développement économique francophone de l’Ouest canadien (FDEFO) and managed by Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs). This mechanism ensures that initiatives not only satisfy immediate economic diversification but also build capacity for future partnerships and innovation within OLMCs.The EDI is open to projects that target key sectors including economic diversification, economic immigration, the green economy, youth engagement, and tourism—themes reflective of both current Canadian socio-economic priorities and global trends. By aiding projects that have a demonstrable impact on business development and economic growth within Francophone communities, EDI reinforces the interconnectedness of culture and commerce.For successful applications, key is the alignment of project objectives with the measurable economic outcomes demanded by the EDI framework. Approved projects such as the "Rallye Bilingue" by Fédération des francophones de la C.-B., which integrates cultural tourism across five regions, and the expansion by Alliance Française de Vancouver highlight diverse approaches to fostering community vitality. These exemplars underline the dual emphasis on cultural engagement and tangible economic impact, illustrating the grants' broader contribution beyond financial support.Recipients of the EDI are expected to maximize the benefit of financial injections by leveraging additional contributions from partners and progressively integrating innovations into their project architectures. These partner engagements amplify the capacity building, ensuring the sustainability of economic benefits. Furthermore, investment into tools like digital broadcasting platforms or recreational infrastructure demonstrates EDI’s role in modernizing community resources while respecting cultural specificities.In summary, the EDI provides more than just monetary assistance; it brings about a cross-section of support, from facilitating economic forums to creating technological access pathways—ensuring Francophone communities are robust contributors to the provincial and national economy. Aspiring applicants should engage with local FEDOs to harness this opportunity, cultivating projects that are both visionary and grounded in community enhancement, thus enriching British Columbia’s multicultural tapestry while driving forward economic resilience.
