AgriCompetitiveness Program: Step 2. Eligibility

Step 2. Eligibility

Check if you meet the criteria to apply.

Eligibility checklist

You must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible.

• You are a not-for-profit organization (an organization that operates solely for social welfare, civic or collective improvement, pleasure or recreation, or any other purpose except profit) or Indigenous organization (a First Nation, Métis or Inuit organization)
  • Not-for-profit organizations may include associations of workers and/or employers that operate nationally
    • Consideration may be given to regional not-for-profit associations if there is no representation at the national level
  • Indigenous organizations may include First Nation, Métis or Inuit not-for-profit organizations

• You demonstrate the ability to deliver a national and/or agriculture and agri-food sector-wide project that includes, but is not limited to:
  • participation of relevant industry stakeholders in the project development and/or implementation
  • the ability to implement the project nationally
  • support and buy-in from relevant industry stakeholders in the proposed project through support letters
• You are a legal entity capable of entering into legal binding agreements

Ineligible applicants

Commodity organizations, for-profit organizations, and individuals aren’t eligible to receive funding under this program.

Program priorities and eligible activities

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

The program will prioritize projects that develop sector capacity, build public trust and are national in scope with a broad focus spanning the agriculture industry.

Program priorities and examples of eligible activities are:

Building skills, tools, knowledge, and best practices among industry members

Examples:

• dissemination and expansion of skills, tools, knowledge and industry best practices
• development of tools to facilitate the implementation of business and strategic plans
• development of risk management tools
• development or refinement of, assessment and planning capacity in the industry, including environmental information and benchmarking analyses

Helping the sector build leadership and facilitate knowledge transfer

Examples:

• development of leadership and entrepreneurship throughout the sector for youth, new entrants and young producers
• organization of events, conferences, workshops and training
• communications, including editing of websites and newsletters to develop, share, and disseminate information regarding industry best practices, farm business management, mental health, farm safety, and agricultural awareness

Increasing business management and planning capacity within the sector

Examples:

• development and dissemination of new farm management information, resources, tools, publications
• expansion of awareness of farm management practices, business management, assessment and planning capacity
• building of capacity and leadership through outreach, networking and training
• organization of producer-oriented workshops, seminars, conferences, and information sharing to increase business skills
• strengthening the ability of businesses in the sector to manage transformation, respond to change and adopt innovation and risk management tools in their business operations

Promoting farm safety

Example:

• development, dissemination and promotion of mental health strategies, farm safety information, resources and tools to help producers, their families and their workers make farms a safer place to live and work

Increasing public trust

Examples:

• creation and dissemination of generic agriculture awareness material to increase consumer education and awareness which will contribute to public confidence in Canada's food production systems and promote public trust
• promotion of public trust with national consumer education of the Canadian food system, agriculture practices, and careers in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector
• educational elements undertaken at large national domestic agricultural fairs and exhibitions (such as, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Canadian Western Agribition, Farmfair International, Calgary Stampede), which help advance the Government's priority of raising awareness of Canadian agriculture

Eligible costs

Note: Costs you incur prior to AAFC approval or the project start date may not be reimbursed by AAFC, and you may be solely responsible for those costs.

Eligible costs are project expenses, claimed or contributed, that fall within the set program cost categories and respect all program limitations. To be considered eligible, all costs must be:

• included in the project application form budget
• related to the activities included in the work plan
• fall within the work plan activities timeframe
• fall within the effective dates of the contribution agreement

For more information and details on cost categories, eligible costs, limitations or instructions, refer to the eligible costs.

Expected results

Your application must show how the activities support the specific outcomes and outputs listed below.

The expected outcome of the program is an agriculture, agri-food sector which has an increased level of entrepreneurial skill, knowledge and awareness of issues, and best practices. This will ultimately help the sector to:

• leverage and coordinate existing capacity
• transition and adapt to changing requirements and conditions
• seize new opportunities

The program will help producers and agri-businesses, including new entrants, 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. An additional focus of the program is to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity and business skills among industry members.

Performance indicators, which are used to measure the relevance and effectiveness of projects and the program, include:

• number of participants reached through the capacity building activities supported by the program (for example, number of attendees to management seminars, or students participating in classroom activities)
• number of capacity building tools, activities, events, etc. supported by the program
• increased participation rate for projects aimed at building skills and increasing capacity