Economic Development Initiative (EDI) in Northern Ontario

In Northern Ontario, the Economic Development Initiative ( EDI ) provides funding for projects that encourage economic growth in the region's Francophone communities and that capitalize on economic opportunities made possible through the use of both official languages.

Grant Deadline

Deadline not available

Funding Amount

Deadline not available

Type of Grant

Grant, Funding

Sectors

Community

Demographics

Incorporation

Non Profit, Government Institution

Perks

Region Restriction

This grant is restricted to whole of Canada

Keywords

market expansion, Community, Community engagement, First come first serve grant, Community Development, social, Social change

Age Restriction

This grant is age restricted from 18 to 100

Eligibility and Requirements

Expected Results

The initiative is intended to enhance the economic vitality of Northern Ontario's official language minority communities (OLMC) – the Francophone community - and enhance the region's competitiveness through linguistic duality, by supporting projects designed to achieve the following results:

Enterprises developed

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including co-operatives, are able to grow and become more competitive, spurring trade, tourism and investment in new and existing markets; creating new, diversified products and services; commercializing research and development in products and services; creating jobs and increasing the number of innovative, diversified SMEs.
• SMEs have better access to information and services about federal economic development initiatives meant to increase partnerships and opportunities for economic diversification.

Communities developed

• The economic base of OLMCs is diversified as opportunities arise through increased trade, investment and numbers of SMEs.
• The development of new or improved tools and/or services for planning and sharing of best practices.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible recipients include Francophone or other organizations that undertake project activities in both official languages, provide programs or services in French, and are located in Northern Ontario. This would normally include:

• Community and economic development corporations;
• Not-for-profit organizations;
• Sectoral associations;
• Post-secondary institutions that offer full-time programs of study in French; and
• Municipalities that serve the Francophone community.

Note: Small and medium-sized enterprises are ineligible applicants under the EDI.

Eligible Activities

The EDI is an incremental programming initiative that supports economic development activities and approaches that respond directly to related priorities of OLMCs and/or that address linguistic duality issues.

Eligible activities include incremental business and economic development activities in OLMCs that:

• Strengthen governance and leadership capacity.
• Enhance the capacity of the Francophone arts and cultural sector.
• Support service delivery models and economic development infrastructure that build critical mass and generate economic opportunities.
• Support networking and collaboration to achieve tangible economic results or enhanced services to citizens.
• Create Francophone and bilingual youth internships to help complete project activities.
• Develop niche sectors and products.
• Help SMEs capitalize on economic opportunities through linguistic duality.
• Support results-oriented business or community economic development research/planning initiatives to advance economic opportunities.

Activities must:

• be undertaken in French by, or for the benefit of, a Francophone client group.
• encourage SMEs to provide their products or services in both official languages (e.g., to expand into Francophone markets).

Business Development

Examples of activities that support the development and capacity building of enterprises, including those that:

• Enhance business competitiveness and access to national and international markets through the adoption of a second official language.
• Strengthen the growth and competitiveness of the Francophone arts and cultural sectors and its products from a business development perspective.
• Promote adoption of a second official language in an SME's operations/services, leading to a new competitive advantage and opening doors to new markets.

Community Development

Examples of activities that lead to community development and capacity building, including those that:

• Foster results-oriented business or community economic development research/planning initiatives.
• Regional initiatives to help Francophone arts and cultural sectors to become stronger generators of economic impacts.
• Strengthen and capitalize on the economic/business opportunities associated with the French language, cultural sector and niche products.
• Help key Francophone initiatives keep pace with technological change and the digital economy.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs include all expenses directly related to the project, and deemed reasonable and necessary for its execution.

Non-capital costs may include:

• fees for professional and technical services, including project implementation, engineering services;
• costs related to community engagement and planning, such as facilitation, rental of facility;
• costs related to producing and disseminating results of studies/plans;
• marketing costs, including design, promotional materials, advertising, product demonstrations and participation at trade shows; and
• travel expenses and labour costs.

Capital costs may include:

• leasehold improvements; and
• machinery, equipment and technology.

Ineligible Costs

Certain activities and costs will not be considered eligible, including:

• infrastructure supporting educational facilities, health care services and delivery (e.g., hospices, long-term care facilities, health centres);
• infrastructure related to retail, wholesale, accommodation and administrative facilities;
• activities and infrastructure primarily of a social/recreational nature such as museums, libraries, cultural centres, recreation centres, tourist information/welcome centres or arenas;
• theoretical research that does not lead to a concrete result, tool or plan for the community or businesses;
• waste management disposal;
• government services;
• land and rolling stock; and
• Costs for which the applicant has entered into a legal commitment/incurred prior to the eligibility date.

Funding Conditions

• Assistance is provided in the form of repayable and non-repayable contributions.
• Eligible applicants are expected to contribute a minimum of 10 percent of project costs.
• FedNor may contribute up to 90 percent to a maximum contribution of $35,000 annually toward the eligible costs of salary and employee benefit expenses in a full-time position for the internship period for up to 18 months (for a maximum contribution of $52,500 towards the salary and benefits of the intern).
• FedNor may also contribute up to 90 percent to a maximum contribution of $5,000 toward eligible ancillary costs such as equipment and training (for a total contribution of $57,500 towards the salary, benefits, and ancillary costs of the intern).

Other Considerations

Project applications are reviewed against EDI objectives and expected results, based on the project's merit, and according to the extent to which the proposed activities:

• Generate net economic benefits for Northern Ontario;
• Build partnerships among EDI recipients, business partners and other stakeholders;
• Enhance opportunities to do business, interact, work and receive services in the language of the region's official minority language (French);
• Demonstrate participation and support of the Francophone community;
• Respond to a priority and need of the Francophone community as identified in a strategic and/or community plan, or through consultations;
• Contribute significantly to the vitality of OLMCs; and
• Achieve tangible results for citizens or foster the delivery of stronger services to citizens.

Project applications are also reviewed and funding levels determined based on criteria, such as:

• need for assistance to make the project viable;
• requested assistance complements and does not displace other funding from government programs or other sources; and
• availability of FedNor's EDI funds.
• Completing an application does not guarantee funding approval. All applications will be assessed as they are received. This will include a review of the business case and financial projections, the applicant's past results, and the identification of any issues that may impact the project's success. Approval may also depend upon funding availability.

Grant Application website

https://fednor.canada.ca/en/our-programs/economic-development-initiative-edi-northern-ontario

Contact

1-877-333-6673