Apply for Sustainable-CAP Agri Food Funding Program (Canada)

The federal/territorial Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable-CAP) will fund agriculture-based initiatives that strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.

Sustainable-CAP funding is delivered in the NWT by the GNWT’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Sustainable CAP Priorities

• Climate Change and Environment
• Market Development and Trade
• Building Sector Capacity, Growth and Competitiveness
• Resiliency and Public Trust
• Science, Research and Innovation

Areas of Focus for the NWT

• Commercial Agriculture and Agri-Food Development
• Diversity and Extension
• Community Food Production
• Agri-Environmental Planning
• Resilient Agriculture Landscape Program (RALP)
• Market Development
• Northern Agriculture and Agri-Food Research

Funding Streams

• Applicant Stream 1: Commercial Producers, Processors, Harvesters and other AgriBusinesses (including Indigenous-owned businesses)
  • Must be a registered business in the NWT and have been in operation in the NWT for at least one year. Registration or incorporation under relevant legislation is required.
  • Projects may require submission of a business plan prior to funding approval.
  • Funding will be provided for up to 75% of project costs unless otherwise specified, with a program lifetime maximum of $125,000.
  • Major Agricultural Projects may be eligible for up to 75% funding to a maximum of $250,000, with third party analysis of a business plan.
• Applicant Stream 2: New Entrants and Small Businesses
  • New Entrants and small businesses are eligible for a maximum of $30,000 in funding in two phases:
    • Phase 1: Up to $10,000 (cumulative) for activities including, but not limited to: initial start-up costs, business planning, training, and development of agri-environmental plans.
    • Phase 2: Upon completion of a business plan, up to $20,000 of additional funding to implement priority components identified in the business plan.
• Applicant Stream 3: Community and Indigenous Agriculture
  • Applicants must be:
    • a non-profit organization registered and in compliance under the Northwest Territories Societies Act or incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, in good standing, and open to public membership; or
    • an Indigenous government/municipal/territorial government.
  • Applicants are eligible for up to 100% of project costs with a program lifetime maximum of $125,000.

Eligible Activities

• Commercial Agriculture and Agri-Food Development
  • Capital investments for facility and farm development and capacity expansion activities that enhance efficiency, competitiveness, productivity, and the ability to innovate and adopt new technologies.
  • Initial capital investment for new-entrant agricultural/food producers or processors.
• Diversity and Extension
  • Skill development to optimize production and improve profitability, including through the adoption of practices that add value and/or credibility.
  • Initiatives that foster or generate inclusive opportunities for underrepresented and marginalized groups, and address systemic and other barriers to entry.
• Community Food Production
  • Activities that strengthen food security and local food capacity, including initiatives that grow and support local production, processing and sales.
  • Hiring of a greenhouse/community garden coordinator or food security coordinator.
• Agri-Environmental Planning
  • Research to support the development of NWT agri-environmental assessment (environmental farm planning) guidance.
  • Professional, technical and analytical support to complete agri-environmental assessments.
• Resilient Agriculture Landscape Program (RALP)
  • Implementation of best management practices (BMPs) that maximize provision of multiple ecological goods and services such as maintenance and provision of healthy soil and water resources, wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and adapting to impacts of climate change.
• Northern Agriculture and Agri-Food Research
  • Research that is closely aligned with the needs of the sector in the NWT (agriculture, food harvesting, Indigenous food systems, agri-food processing, and value-added food products) and pursues inclusive economic growth opportunities, improves sector sustainability, and strengthens the long-term resilience of the Sector.
• Market Development
  • Development and evaluation of business plans to take on new or expanded market opportunities.
  • Marketing and product development and adaptation activities that support the value-added food and beverage processing sector.

Eligibility Criteria

• NWT producers, processors, retailers, non-profit organizations, and governments, including Indigenous Governments and Indigenous Organizations are eligible for all Sustainable-CAP NWT funding.
• Individuals must:
  • Be a current resident of the Northwest Territories for at least one year and be at least 19 years of age
• Businesses must be:
  • Based and operating within the Northwest Territories for at least one year
  • An agricultural producer or agri-food processor
  • A sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation that is registered and in good standing with the Department of Justice, Legal Registries Division
  • Operating a farm or processing facility with commercial sales, or be able to demonstrate current/future commercial viability (a Business Plan is required)
• Non-profit organizations must be:
  • Registered as a northern-based non-profit society organization and in good standing with the NWT Registrar of Societies.

Ineligible

• Funding cannot be provided for:
  • Used equipment funded by the GNWT within the last five years.
  • Normal and on-going operating and maintenance costs incurred by recipients, except as otherwise specified.
  • Purchase of common items that can be used for multiple purposes (e.g., digital cameras, GPS, smartphones, measuring tapes, trucks, trailers, tractors).
  • Purchase and construction of multi-purpose structures (barns, storage sheds). Specialized interior components of agricultural structures may be eligible for funding.
  • Road development or purchase of land.

For more information, visit GNWT.