Indigenous and small communities in Alberta are, once again, eligible for a grant to help their economic growth.
The Small Community Opportunity Program is open for a second round of grants, which will help small and Indigenous communities and help the economic footprint in rural Alberta to grow.
Back in December of 2022, the provincial government recognized how important Indigenous and small communities are to the province and its economic prosperity and released its Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan.
That plan is a set of strategies and measurable actions that will make sure those who live in rural Alberta have economic opportunities near home.
Last year, 43 community-led projects were awarded grants under the Small Community Opportunity Program, each between $20,00 and $100,000 to help build capacity in agriculture, support small businesses, and local economic development.
“The Small Community Opportunity Program continues to provide financial backing for Indigenous and small communities to tackle challenges and tap into opportunities to grow their local economic footprint," explained the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, R.J. Sigurdson in a media release from September 24th. "By building capacity in small businesses and the agriculture industry, these rural communities will have a strong foundation to grow and thrive.”
Under the Small Community Opportunity Program, eligible projects have to align with the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan, as well as build entrepreneurship, small business supports and/or partnerships, and mentorship and skills development.
The projects also have to include interconnectivity and collaboration within the community.
The grants will be between $20,000 and $100,000 for community-led projects and will fund up to 90 per cent of the eligible project costs, with the applicant funding the remaining.
Non-profit organizations are allowed to collaborate with small and Indigenous communities, or communities may choose to work independently or together on projects that achieve diversification, sustainable growth, and drive innovation.
To qualify for the grant, the community must have a population of fewer than 20,000, be far enough away from communities with 25,000 people or more that they aren't providing employment opportunities or services, be remote or be surrounded by a significant amount of nature or natural resources or have a workforce that is largely focused on a primary economic activity, such as oil and gas.
The projects that receive funding under the Small Community Opportunity Program have to be completed within two years and must have an impact supporting, enhancing, or improving rural and Indigenous communities, the agriculture industry, and the local economic development.
Applications for the program are currently open, with the deadline being December 20th.
To learn more about the grant, click here.