AgriDiversity Program: Step 1. What this program offers

Step 1. What this program offers

The AgriDiversity Program is a $5-million program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Program objectives

The program will:

• support projects aimed at helping Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in Canadian agriculture — including women, youth, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and official language minority communities — to fully participate in the sector by helping these groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation.
• assist activities that promote the benefits of a career in agriculture and that enhance the public's perception of agriculture and its role in the economy
• assist Canadian organizations working in the agriculture and agri-food sector that:
  • engage, train and empower underrepresented and marginalized groups so they can succeed in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector
  • work with Indigenous communities to increase their involvement in the sector thereby supporting the Government of Canada's commitment to reconciliation and inclusive economic growth
  • provide opportunities for sector participation to youth, women, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and official language minority communities
• help Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in the agriculture and agri-food sector:
  • become aware of business management strategies and tools. With training and the necessary tools, the sector will have the ability to adapt to emerging issues (for example, regulatory challenges, sustainability and market opportunities), and advance economic growth
  • enhance entrepreneurial capacity, business skills and sector leadership of Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups
  • learn about available career opportunities in the agriculture and agri-food sector

The program aims to strengthen the sector and build its capacity by:

• helping members from marginalized and underrepresented groups to develop their leadership skills to take on a greater leadership role
• building the entrepreneurial capacity and business skills of Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in the agriculture and agri-food sector
• facilitating the sharing of industry experience, best practices and knowledge to help Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups manage transformation and adapt to changes in their business operations
• strengthening the sector by incorporating views from a greater diversity of sector players

Funding

The maximum AAFC contribution towards a project will normally not exceed $200,000 per year or a maximum of $1 million over 5 years.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) reserves the right the prioritize activities submitted.

The program provides non-repayable contributions to support activities that strengthen Canada's agriculture sector to better leverage the potential offered by youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, racialized persons, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and official language minority communities.

Cost-sharing

Contributions toward eligible costs will normally be shared between AAFC and you as follows:

• AAFC — a maximum of 70%
• You — a minimum of 30%

Your portion of the cost-share can be a combination of both cash contributions and in-kind contributions.^Endnote1 In-kind contributions can only account for a maximum of 25% of total eligible costs to complete the project.

The program reserves the right to make the final determination of the eligibility and value of in-kind contributions, to disallow expenditures, and reduce the funds. To avoid a situation where in-kind contributions may later be deemed ineligible or incorrectly valued, associations are advised to contact AAFC program staff early in the process to confirm the eligibility and valuation of an in-kind contribution.