The Strategic Initiatives Fund (SIF) is a proposal-based program that provides grant funding for strategic projects that are large in scale, regional in impact, enhance a community or multiple communities’ ability to overcome economic challenges and will result in incremental capacity or strategic economic infrastructure within a local government or First Nation.
If you think you are eligible for funding for the program, Please contact Northern Development staff to discuss your project in further detail.
The goal of the program is to support community-based projects that focus on long-term economic transformation and sustainability.
The purpose of Strategic Initiatives Fund is to diversify and enhance the economies of central and northern B.C. communities, particularly those communities impacted by Mountain Pine Beetle. The Strategic Initiatives Fund is a flexible program that aims to capitalize on the unique opportunities and strengths that exist in these communities to invest in projects that strengthen innovation, partnerships, and diversification of economic activities.
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Download AllThe Strategic Initiatives Fund is designed to put communities in the driver’s seat and propose projects that are strategic in nature and support economic transformation.
The Strategic Initiatives Fund is designed to be broad in nature, allowing flexibility for communities to submit proposals for projects that support economic development and transformation. Although there is a variety of project types that would be eligible for funding under the program, some examples include but are not limited to:
Applicants are encouraged to consider the Trust’s 2021 – 2023 Strategic Plan goals when articulating their proposal for consideration. The primary goals of the plan are:
While there is no limitation on the maximum grant size available, applications where Northern Development’s investment exceeds 80% of the eligible project budget, or where the amount requested exceeds the program allocation, will not be processed. Information will be released in 2021 about how much is available through the program.
The assessment of the required level of funding will take into consideration all other sources of funding available to the applicant. Preference will be given to projects that leverage incremental funding from local government, First Nations, the provincial government, federal government, the private sector and other non-government sources.
The Strategic Initiatives Fund will be offered in 2021 – submission deadline to be announced at a later date.
The Strategic Initiatives Fund call for proposals process allows for a comparative analysis of projects against the criteria outlined in this guide and strengthens Northern Development’s responsiveness to economic trends and the unique opportunities that exist in central and northern B.C.
Eligible and qualified projects will be reviewed by the Northern Development board for a decision. Applicants will receive notification from Northern Development regarding the status of their request shortly thereafter.
Email UsIf you’d like to discuss your project in further detail with Northern Development staff, please contact us by email, phone, or filling out the form below. Also, we encourage you to reach out to us if you think you are eligible for funding for categories that are not specified here.
