PrairiesCan — Economic Development Initiative

This grant offers financial support to projects that contribute to economic development in Francophone communities within the Prairie provinces. The financing modalities are structured to promote innovation, diversification, and partnership development.

• Funding is provided for projects contributing to economic diversification, immigration, the green economy, youth development, and tourism.
• Investments range across local, provincial, and interprovincial scopes, emphasizing measurable economic impacts.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's operations in the Prairie provinces and the project’s alignment with community and economic goals.

• Applicant(s) must work in French and contribute to the development and vitality of the Prairie province's Francophonie.
• Projects must serve a Francophone clientele from OLMCs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba.
• Projects must demonstrate a real impact with clear and measurable benefits in at least one of the specified sectors: economic diversification and development, economic immigration, the green economy, youth, and tourism.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.

• Companies that do not work in French and do not contribute to the development and vitality of the Prairie province's Francophonie.
• Companies whose projects do not serve a Francophone clientele from OLMCs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba.

Eligible expenses

The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) aims to foster economic growth, innovation, and community support in the Prairie provinces. Eligible projects under this grant focus on diversifying the economy, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing tourism and infrastructure.

• Supporting Black Francophone entrepreneurs through business networks and establishing cooperatives.
• Developing historic ecotourism sites to leverage cultural heritage.
• Establishing education and mentoring programs for young entrepreneurs.
• Repairing and enhancing community infrastructure to boost local tourism.
• Creating access points for recreational and tourism development along major waterways.
• Establishing business incubators for Francophone entrepreneurs across the region.
• Developing French-language educational programs to enhance skills and knowledge in key sectors.
• Promoting sustainable growth and competitiveness in bilingual and rural communities.

Eligible geographic areas

The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) grant is available for projects aiding official language minority communities in the Prairie provinces. Eligible geographical areas are within Western Canada, specifically targeting Francophone communities.

• Projects serving Francophone communities in Alberta.
• Projects based in Saskatchewan's Francophone regions.
• Initiatives within Francophone areas of Manitoba.

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:

• Applicant(s) must work in French and contribute to the development and vitality of the Prairie province's Francophonie.
• Projects must serve a Francophone clientele from OLMCs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba.
• Projects funded under the program may be local, provincial, or interprovincial in scope and must demonstrate a real impact in specific sectors such as economic diversification, economic immigration, the green economy, youth, or tourism.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The EDI is delivered as a pilot program in Western Canada through the Fonds de développement économique francophone de l'Ouest canadien (FDEFO).
• Four Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) in Western Canada are responsible for managing this fund.