The Government of Canada is seeking applications for the Projects — Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program.

The Projects component of the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program provides funding for community development, anti-racism initiatives and engagement projects that promote diversity and inclusion by encouraging interaction among community groups.

Objectives

The Program and the Projects component objectives are to:

• support communities in confronting racism and discrimination, promoting intercultural and interfaith understanding and fostering equitable opportunities to participate fully in Canadian society;
• promote and engage in discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination at the domestic and international levels;
• Strengthen research and evidence to build understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by racialized and religious minority communities, and Indigenous Peoples.

Priority Themes

This component is for projects that address one or more of the following priority themes:

• work toward the elimination of discrimination, racism and prejudice
• provide opportunities for youth community engagement and involvement
• work together to build awareness and change attitudes.

Expected Results

Expected results are that participants and communities gain knowledge, develop strategies and take action to:

• increase awareness of Canada’s cultural diversity
• increase awareness of issues affecting full participation in society and the economy, related to culture, ethnicity and/or religion
• increase capacity within communities to address racism and discrimination

Eligible Projects

The Projects component is focused on new initiatives that are not part of an organization’s regular core programming or daily operations. They encourage innovative and collaborative projects that will leverage the strength of a variety of community organizations towards addressing racism and discrimination and the priority themes.

The following types of activities are eligible, these may include:

• mentorships and internships;
• skills development initiatives;
• development of new learning materials, tools and training sessions;
• network and partnership development;
• leadership and volunteerism initiatives;
• knowledge sharing initiatives;
• meetings, events and workshops;
• Development of new programs, policies and services responsive to diversity, or combatting racism and discrimination.

Eligible Expenses

Only project-related expenses which can be of cash and in-kind value are eligible. These may include:

• rental of office space and equipment not normally used in your organization's daily operations;
• promotion and communications costs:
• salaries, benefits and consultant fees directly related to the project;
• travel and accommodation within Canada, which must not exceed the rates permitted for travel on government business;
• hospitality (only for meals and refreshments for participants of workshops/activities);
• insurance (recipients must ensure that any public events funded by the Program are covered by appropriate insurance)
• project evaluation;
• translation fees
• audit when project funding is $250,000 and above;
• meetings, events and workshops (organization, logistics, venue).

In-kind contributions are considered real contributions to the cost of the proposed project but are not reimbursable. Donated goods and services may be considered in-kind contributions if they:

• are essential to your project’s success;
• are eligible and would otherwise have to be purchased or paid for by you;
• can be measured at fair market value (i.e. in relation to similar goods and services);
• Are balanced by equal revenue in your budget (i.e. total in-kind expenses equal total in-kind revenues).

In all cases, administrative/overhead costs (e.g. rental of office space) will be limited to a maximum of 15% of the total project funding.

Who can apply?

The following groups and institutions are eligible for funding:

• Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) governments, tribal councils, band councils or not-for-profit Indigenous organizations
• Canadian not-for-profit organizations and associations
• non-federal Canadian public institutions such as boards of education, schools, colleges and universities, chambers of commerce, law enforcement and police agencies, hospitals and other health-care institutions
• Crown corporations as defined in the Financial Administration Act
• provincial, territorial, municipal or regional governments and their agencies (must apply in partnership with a non-governmental organization)

For more information, visit Government of Canada.