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Objective
The Rural Community Adaptation Grant Program (RCAP) consists of $15 million new funding to increase the capacity of rural communities and regions to transition and adapt, resulting in greater resilience and new, more diverse economic opportunities. This grant is part of a Government of Alberta (GOA) Community Adaptation and Transition Initiative to support communities. Overall funding for the Initiative was made available through the National Community Development Trust.
Eligible Activities
The program will support eligible projects that are community based and focus on creative community driven actions and solutions that include at least one of the following project themes:
- Assessment and Planning – projects that engage a community to take stock of its current situation and plan for an adaptation or transition;
- Capacity Building – projects that increase community knowledge, skills and training through building youth, enhancing community leadership, or strengthening community organizations;
- Rural economic development – community led economic development projects or strategies such as entrepreneurship encouragement, regional cluster development, the innovative use of technology, value added product development, other economic infrastructure, and economic diversification;
- Unique community solutions – other adaptation activities driven by rural communities and regions that can demonstrate a lasting impact that might not otherwise be included in the above.
Eligible Applicants
Rural communities in transition represented by local governments (i.e. local authorities as defined in the Municipal Government Act that are legal entities, bands as defined in the Indian Act, or Métis settlements) that are in or facing an imminent economic hardship caused by global economic volatility, a significant environmental event, or circumstances that require a new direction for the community may apply.
Incorporated community organizations (e.g. not-for-profit organizations, industry associations, or regional organizations) that are collaborating with a rural community are also eligible to apply for program funding.
Funding Levels
The program will fund up to 90% of eligible non-capital project costs and up to 50% of eligible capital costs, to a maximum of $500,000 per project.
Successful applicants will be required to cost-share the project. The minimum grant request considered will be $10,000 per project.
Program funding will expire on March 31, 2011 or earlier depending on availability of funds.
Application and Selection Process
Applicants must complete an application form and submit a project proposal to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) where it will be screened for meeting program requirements and criteria. Not all projects will be approved. Only those best meeting the criteria will be considered.
Announcements
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