Co-operative Development Initiative 2009-2013

The Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI) is a Government of Canada program delivered in partnership with the co-operative sector. CDI is designed to help people develop co-ops and to research and test innovative ways of using the co-operative model. CDI will make the co-op option more readily available to Canadians, to respond to their present-day challenges.

Description of CDI

The program has three interrelated components:

Advisory Services

The Advisory Services component is delivered by the co-operative sector through a network of co-operative development experts established across the country. The objective is to provide access to professional and technical services needed for the successful launch or strengthening of a co-operative. The Advisory Services component is managed jointly by the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité (CCCM). For more information about Advisory Services, see Co-operative Development Initiative.

Research and Knowledge Development

This program component's objective is to encourage research and dissemination projects that will advance our understanding of co-operatives' contributions to addressing challenges in the following three program priority areas:

1. Local community economic development
2. Changing community demographics
3. Low-carbon communities

This component is entirely managed by the Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2013.

Eligible recipients are not-for-profit organizations, universities and colleges, co-operatives, as well as individual researchers and co-operative developers who are working in collaboration with an established co-op sector or research entity.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Stéphane Audet
Rural and Co-operatives Secretariat
Telephone: 613-773-2896
Fax: 613-773-2198
E-mail: stephane.audet@agr.gc.ca

Innovative Co-operative Projects

The Innovative Co-operative Projects component provides funding to innovative projects that respond to public policy priority areas and generate best practices and learning.

Policy Priorities

The policy priorities to be addressed through the Innovative Co-operative Projects are:

• agriculture, including farmer-driven value-added agriculture and biofuels;
• rural/northern community development;
• innovative goods and services, including innovative technologies; and
• capacity building and sustainability.

Financial Parameters

The upper limit of funding for Innovative Co-operative Projects is $75,000 per year per project. The minimum proponent contribution for Innovative Co-operative Projects is 25% per individual project.

Management of the Component

The Innovative Co-operative Projects component will be delivered jointly by the Canadian Co-operative Association and the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité.

How to Apply for Funding

Guidelines for applicants and application forms are available on the Co-operative Development Initiative web site.