Strategic Funds

1. Eligible recipients
2. Funding decisions and evaluation criteria
3. Eligible expenses
4. Schedule
5. Funding terms
6. Applicant's Guide and application form

The Strategic Funds aim to assist official-language minority communities to encourage their citizens to participate in local community life in their own language, developing the vitality of the culture, and integrating into their local community life through large-scale projects aimed at:

• improving the community setting (establishing community meeting places, cultural programs and events, community radio, and others);
• having an impact on several communities;
• developing new areas of intervention;
• encouraging the concerted effort and cooperation of several partners toward better structuring the development of official-language minority communities.

These investments should meet annually identified priorities.

I. Eligible recipients

Non-profit organizations, associations, institutions and provincial and territorial governments.

II. Funding decisions and evaluation criteria

Funding decisions are made based on available funds, annual priorities and an analysis of requests in accordance with the following criteria:

• Quality of the action plan, which must include:
• • a status report in the areas of action concerned;
  • a written description of the proposed project, highlighting its innovative character
  • a clear statement of expected outcomes and performance indicators for the full period of the project;
  • links between the proposed activities and the objectives and priorities of the Community Life component;
  • a time frame for implementation;
  • a budget with a breakdown of projected expenditures and the financial contributions of different parties for the proposed project.

• Effectiveness of the action plan as an instrument for:
• • achieving the objectives of the Community Lifecomponent and producing expected outcomes;
  • advancing the development of official-language minority communities and producing structural effects;

• Contribution to the growth of the inclusive character of official-language minority communities.

• Visibility of the project (diversification and quality of partners);

• Diversification of funding sources;

• Adequacy of the proposed budget in relation to the activities to be carried out.

III. Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses include (but are not limited to):

• costs related to the set-up, delivery and monitoring of projects that contribute to the long-term development of official-language minority communities in key sectors.

IV. Schedule

Requests for funding assistance may be submitted at any time during the fiscal year. Evaluation of these requests will be carried out every three months, on average, according to need. Funding recommendations will be made based on the above-mentioned criteria, available funds and due diligence principles. All funding decisions rest with the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Eligible recipients wishing to avail themselves of Strategic Funds should consult the "Applicant's Guide" and complete the request form.

V. Funding terms

Requests will be funded by the Department through grants or contributions. In the case of contributions, agreements will set out requirements for reporting and payments. Some projects may be the object of a multi-year agreement.

VI. Applicant's Guide and application form

Applicant's Guide and and application form.

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