Cooperation with the Community Sector

The Cooperation with the Community Sector aims to encourage community organizations to become involved by reinforcing their ability to take action to make measurable gains in long-term community development, as well as to encourage innovation and excellence.

1. Cooperation framework
2. Eligible recipients
3. Funding decisions and evaluation criteria
4. Eligible expenditures
5. Schedule
6. Funding terms
7. Applicant's Guide
8. Acknowledgment of the Government of Canada's contribution

I. Cooperation framework

National, interprovincial, provincial/territorial, regional or local contributions may be made directly to organizations or under cooperation agreements with communities. These agreements establish the terms of delivery and may be on a multi-year basis. They must present development priorities that reflect coordination within the community.

Programming

Programming funds will be paid to organizations so that they can carry out ongoing regular activities related to development issues in the community or in the area being supported. The funds aim to support the ongoing commitment and actions of organizations. They cover expenditures related to the activities and organizations' operating costs.

The Department will give priority to activities that have a lasting effect on the community or the area being supported, strengthening relations between community stakeholders and helping build the sector.

Project

Project funds will be paid to organizations to carry out one-time activities that do not require ongoing funding.

The Department will give priority to projects that address current issues or are innovative, such as projects which help develop areas that are largely unexplored or are unique.

II. Eligible recipients

Canadian not-for-profit organizations, associations, institutions, commercial organizations for not-for-profit activities, and foundations for not-for-profit activities. These bodies must represent the interests of official-language minority communities. Their missions, mandates or the majority of their activities must support and assist the development and enhance the vitality of official-language minority communities nationally, provincially, regionally or locally.

The following are not eligible:

• individuals;
• government bodies, universities, schools, school boards, foreign institutions and organizations.

III. Funding decisions and evaluation criteria

Funding decisions are based on funds available, in accordance with the following criteria:

• Linkages with the objectives of the Cooperation with the Community Sector sub-component.
• Relevance of stated needs.
• Relevance of the proposed activities to the situation described in the application.
• Linkages with issues related to development of the community or the area being supported, if any.
• Contribution to increased inclusiveness of official-language minority communities, if applicable.
• Diversification of partnerships and quality of cooperation with other partners.
• Projected outcomes and impact on the community.
• Relevance of proposed performance measurements.
• Diversification of funding sources.
• Balance between budget and projected activities.

All funding decisions are made by the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

IV. Eligible expenditures

Eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to:

• costs to set up, deliver and monitor programs, services, activities and projects (cultural activities program, volunteer training program, recreation, cultural services, community communication services, etc.);
• costs related to studies or analyses carried out for the purpose of developing programs, services or activities essential to development of official-language minority communities; and
• administrative costs, including, but not limited to, auditing and evaluation costs and other administrative overhead related to the funded activities.

The following expenditures are not eligible:

• expenditures related to activities with an international dimension.

V. Schedule

Each year, the Program will set deadlines for submitting applications and post them on its website: http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/lo-ol/pubs/frm/pdclo-dolcp/calndr-eng.cfm.

VI. Funding terms

The Department provides funding to successful applicants in the form of grants or contributions and establishes the reporting requirements and terms and conditions of payment. Multi-year funding may be provided in some cases.

The funding mechanism (grant or contribution) will be chosen based on the proposal's level of risk and on the criteria established by the Department.

The Department will assume no responsibility for any contractual commitments entered into by the Applicant prior to confirmation of financial support from the Department.

VII. Applicant's Guide

The content of the application must include:

• Assessment of the situation in the area being applied for (with a description of the facts that led to application being developed and the rationale for selecting the proposed approach).
• Description of the proposed programs, activities or projects.
• Clear statement of expected outcomes, with performance indicators for the entire project.
• Linkages with the objectives of the Cooperation with the Community Sector sub-component.
• Linkages with issues related to development of the community or the area being supported, if any.
• If applicable, measures taken in communication and outreach activities to the other official-language group.
• Implementation schedule.
• Budget with a breakdown of the projected expenditures and financial contribution of each party for the proposed programs or activities.

Applicants for funding under the Cooperation with the Community Sector sub-component must use the Application Guide and Application Form, which can be obtained by clicking "Funding Opportunities" on the Department's website: www.pch.gc.ca.

For more information, applicants can contact Support for Official Languages Programs in their local Canadian Heritage office (see www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/lo-ol/cntct/102-eng.cfm).

VIII: Acknowledgment of the Government of Canada's contribution

Recipients are required to acknowledge the contribution from the Department of Canadian Heritage in any promotion or advertising related to the activities from which funding is provided.