Open
Source verified August 4, 2026
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream
Financing support for pandemic-affected businesses
Funding available
$ 60,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Who can apply
Rural or urban women-owned or women-led businesses, including sole proprietors and social enterprises.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream supports small and medium-sized women-owned or women-led businesses in Western Canada. It helps address COVID-19 impacts through loans for fixed costs, working capital, rent, utilities, and other eligible expenses.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase production or service capacity
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 60,000 $
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Rural or urban women-owned or women-led businesses, including sole proprietors and social enterprises.
- Small and medium-sized women-owned or women-led businesses.
- Main street businesses, such as retail shops, restaurants and corner stores.
- Businesses of strategic importance to the community.
Who is not eligible
- Businesses receiving other federal relief support for the same expenditures.
Eligible expenses
- Fixed operating costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.
- Wages and benefits, when not covered by other support.
- Bank charges, office supplies, vehicle operating costs, and equipment lease payments.
- Professional fees, cleaning supplies, and additional safety measures.
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
- Western Canada
How to apply
- Apply through the website of the WEI organization in your province.
- Alberta applicants apply through Alberta Women Entrepreneurs.
- Saskatchewan applicants apply through Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.
- Manitoba applicants apply through Women’s Enterprise Centre.
- Women-owned or women-led businesses requesting over $60,000 must apply through PrairiesCan.
Processing and Agreement
- If the outstanding balance is repaid on or before January 18, 2024, the forgivable portion of the contribution will apply.
- If the loan is not repaid by January 18, 2024, it will be converted to a 3-year term loan with interest rates up to 5%, with payments starting on January 19, 2024, and ending on December 31, 2026.
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Community Futures StreamFinancial support for COVID-19-affected rural businesses
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative StreamFinancial support for women-led businesses
Frequently Asked Questions about the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream Program
What is the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream?
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream supports small and medium-sized women-owned or women-led businesses in Western Canada. It helps address COVID-19 impacts through loans for fixed costs, working capital, rent, utilities, and other eligible expenses.
How much funding can be received?
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream Funds up to $60,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream program?
To be eligible for the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream program, you must:
Small and medium-sized women-owned or women-led businesses.
Established before March 1, 2020 and adversely impacted by COVID-19.
Viable before March 1, 2020 and not receiving other federal relief support for the same expenditures.
Who can I contact for more information about the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream?
You can contact Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan).
Where is the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream available?
The Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream program is available the province of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan.
Is the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream is a Loans and Capital investments