What is Community Economic Development (C.E.D.) ?
Community Economic Development (C.E.D.) means an inclusive, strategic, long-term, integrated & community-driven approach to local economic development whereby the community takes responsibility for planning and implementing measures to improve their economic future, well-being and quality of life.
Community Economic Development projects will vary considerably from one community to another and could include a wide range of local initiatives in areas such as:
tourism, entrepreneurship, and economic opportuntities for specific client groups such as : women, youth, Indigenous peoples and official language minorities.
What are some examples of C.E.D. Projects that Community Futures can support?
When delivering C.E.D. project in our region, Community Futures Development Corporation of North & Central Hastings and South Algonquin (C.F.D.C.) will consider:
- initiatives that promote job creation, encourage innovation & foster inclusiveness to specific client groups (eg. women, youth, Indigenous people etc.) in their efforts to start up, scale up and / or diversify their entreprise
- projects that help to support small business to become better suited to adapt to the changing economy and technologies
- partnerships with local municipal governments, Indigenous groups, educational institutions and community organizations
- continued consultation with Indigenous groups to identify additional opportunities to support and / or collaborate
- projects that create economic impact through strengthening and expanding tourism markets
- support and/or collaboration where possible with organizations that are implementing projects that promote regional economic development
How can Community Futures Support C.E.D. projects?
Community Futures can offer support and /or collaborate where possible by being a partner or lead on economic development projects or assist by actively engaging in activities that support the promotion of businesses in its service area or provide funding through its "Local Initiatives Program" (L.I.P.).
What is the Local Initiatives Program (L.I.P.) ?
The purpose of the Local Initiatives Program is to strengthen our communities by supporting small-scale community projects led by not-for-profits organizations, municipalities, and other groups or committees, that strive to enhance community economic development (C.E.D.) efforts.
Eligible Applicants
- Incorporated not for profit organizations, municipalities and other incorporated community organziations operating within the CFDC catchment area.
- Non-incorporated organizations, committees or groups within the CFDC catchment area that have an incorporated partner willing to be the lead on project
- Applicants must provide a completed and signed application that includes: project description, timeline, cashflow projection and project budget, copy of motion by applicant's board / council to apply and enter into the project (if approved) and any other documentation as requested by CFDC.
Funding Available
- Non-repayable contributions normally up to $3,000 towards eligible project costs
Eligible Projects
- Contribute to the economic development of the region and target community priorities for growth and development. Partnerships are encouraged.
- Are incremental (cannot have already been undertaken and / or cannot frelate to the core operations of the organization)
- Cannot extend past March 31, 2024
- One project per year (April 1- March 31) per organization
All approved projects will require the ultimate recipient to be contracted under a third-party agreement. The agreement will clearly identify the project statement of work and requirements of the ultimate recipient.
Eligible Costs
- Must directly relate to the project activities
- Can be capital or non-capital costs
Ineligible Costs
- Wages of current staff
- Operating costs of ongoing operations (including basic websites)
- Yearly festivals
- Leasehold improvements, construction, repairs
We encourage potential applicants to contact our office to discuss their potential project prior to completing an application.
If you have any questions or would like to receive an application, please contact:
Mary Lynn Rutledge, Executive Director 613-332-5564 ext. 202 or email
Note: Funding is limited, not all eligible projects will be approved.
