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A grant of $9.2 million grant is being made by the Ontario government through two programs, the Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF) and the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program (ICCGP) to improve economic opportunities for Ontario Indigenous communities by enabling their increased access to support for business, employment and training opportunities, said a news release.
“By improving access to these programs, we are providing the opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities to receive the funding they need to unlock their economic potential” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “
While access to skills training and other economic development initiatives is being provided by the IEDF in $3.2 million, the ICCGP provides $6 million for Indigenous infrastructure projects.
Eligible applicants who are interested in diversifying Indigenous economies, support skills training, and other economic development initiatives can apply to a grant or a funding stream through the IEDF.
ICCGP is open to community capital projects that support the planning, renovation, or construction of buildings in First Nations and Métis communities and Indigenous organizations on- and off- reserve.
Interested applicants must register with Transfer Payment Ontario and submit their applications through Transfer Payment Ontario until December 19, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET for the IEDF and December 21, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET for the ICCGP to track, and manage requests for funding opportunities.
Various research projects have been funded earlier by the IEDF and ICCGP to help businesses hire more employees, and support the development of new business ventures.
These programs are in keeping with Ontario’s commitment to meaningful and lasting reconciliation and to strengthening Indigenous economies.
