Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation opened applications for the Small Community Opportunity Program to provide funding to rural municipalities and organizations to tackle challenges and tap into opportunities in rural areas
The Government of Alberta has recently opened applications for the Small Community Opportunity Program (SCOP), which will provide grants for non-profits, Indigenous, and small communities to help build capacity in agriculture, small businesses, and local development. Successful applicants may receive between $20,000 and $100,000 for local projects. The grant may fund up to 90% of eligible project costs and the applicant must fund at least 10%.
Indigenous communities, Metis Settlements, and small communities may apply if they meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Have a population less than 20,000 people
- Have a limited geographic proximity (approximately 100 km or further) to population centres with more than 25,000 people that could provide employment and services
- May be remote or have in them, or around them, a significant amount of nature, natural resources, agricultural land, and wilderness areas
- Have a workforce largely focused on primary economic activity, including oil and gas, agriculture, and forestry
Eligible projects must align with one or more of these strategic directions in the Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan:
- Rural business support and entrepreneurship
- Support for labour force and skills development
- Marketing and promoting rural tourism
- Rural economic development capacity building
Projects must be completed within two years from the date the grant agreement between the Government of Alberta and the recipient is signed. The project must be sustained beyond the two-year funding and have a measurable impact supporting, improving, or enhancing one or more of the following:
- Rural and Indigenous communities
- Local economic development
- The agricultural sector
Applications for this grant will close on January 10, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified of their funding in March 2024. For more information on eligibility requirements and the application process, please visit the Small Community Opportunity Program webpage or view the webinar recently offered by the RMA and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.
Karrina Jung
Policy Advisor
780.955.4085
karrina@RMAlberta.com
Kallie Wischoff
Policy Advisor
825.319.2245
kallie@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com