Closed
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream
Financing for women-led businesses affected by COVID-19
Last Update: June 14, 2026
Funding available
$ 60,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Overview
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream provides financing support to women-owned or women-led small and medium-sized businesses affected by COVID-19. It supports fixed costs such as rent, wages, utilities, professional fees, and other operating expenses tied to business stability and recovery.
/100
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 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business recovery activities linked to COVID-19 impacts.
- Retooling, workflow changes, automation, and robotics.
- Developing new markets.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Women-owned or women-led businesses.
- Sole proprietors.
- Main street businesses such as retail shops, restaurants, and corner stores.
- Businesses of strategic importance to the community.
- Rural or urban businesses in Western Canada.
Who is not eligible
- Businesses that are not women-owned or women-led.
- Businesses that were not established before March 1, 2020.
- Businesses that are not viable or were already under financial pressure before March 1, 2020.
- Businesses receiving other federal relief support for the same expenses.
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
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through the Women’s Enterprise Initiative organization in the applicant’s province.
- Applicants requesting more than $60,000 must apply through PrairiesCan.
- Funding is not guaranteed and is subject to program rules.
Additional information
- Applications are no longer being accepted.
- The repayment deadline for partial forgiveness was January 18, 2024.
- Applicants requesting more than $60,000 must apply through PrairiesCan.
Contacts
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?
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream provides financing support to women-owned or women-led small and medium-sized businesses affected by COVID-19. It supports fixed costs such as rent, wages, utilities, professional fees, and other operating expenses tied to business stability and recovery.
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.
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:
Women-owned or women-led business.
Established before March 1, 2020.
Impacted by COVID-19.
What expenses are eligible under Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — Regional Relief and Recovery Fund – Women’s Enterprise Initiative Stream?
Business recovery activities linked to COVID-19 impacts.
Retooling, workflow changes, automation, and robotics.
Developing new markets.
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) by email at none or by phone at none.
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