Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Community Development Trust Fund?
- What is meant by community?
- How will Nova Scotia invest its share of the Trust?
- What type of proposal is Nova Scotia looking for under the Trust?
- How can communities or organizations get funding from the Trust in Nova Scotia?
- What is the submission and approval process?
- What types of information should stakeholders provide in their submissions?
- What are the principles used to review a proposal to the Trust?
- Who can submit a proposal for funding from the Trust?
- Can a proposal for funding from the Trust also include funding from other sources?
- Does the Trust provide loans?
- Is there a minimum amount that can be requested from the Trust?
- Is there a maximum amount that can be requested from the Trust?
- How long will the trust be in place?
- Where can we find out more about the Trust?
- What is meant by community?
Q. What is the Community Development Trust Fund?
A. The Government of Canada announced the $1 billion Trust in early 2008 to support provincial and territorial efforts to build a stronger, better future for communities and workers who have been negatively impacted by international economic volatility. Nova Scotia is investing $34.9 million over three years from the Trust to support communities facing economic hardship.
The Trust was designed to help vulnerable communities experiencing difficulties due to the impacts of globalization, economic slowdown and the rapid appreciation in the Canadian dollar. It is aimed at helping industries and communities where negative impacts have been most severe.
Q. What is meant by community?
A. A community, in terms of the Trust, means a single community, a group of communities or a region of communities. It can also mean a community of interest, such as a community of forestry workers or the forestry sector.
Q. How will Nova Scotia invest its share of the Trust?
A. Nova Scotia is investing the Trust in projects that enhance sustainable prosperity in the areas of:
- economic and trade diversification;
- improved productivity, innovation and training;
- preparing for and developing community transition plans;
- helping workers who are facing adjustment challenges.
Q. What type of proposal is Nova Scotia looking for under the Trust?
A. The Province is seeking proposals that will help transition communities or sectors facing economic challenges to a stronger, more sustainable economy. Since funding decisions are based on merit, proposals that demonstrate measurable, direct economic impacts are encouraged.
Q. How can communities or organizations get funding from the Trust in Nova Scotia?
A. Community stakeholders seeking funding from the Trust work with provincial departments and agencies to develop proposals. For example, a proposal involving fisheries would involve the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture; a proposal involving forestry would involve the Department of Natural Resources.
Q. What is the submission and approval process?
A. All departments and agencies can receive and consider proposals to the Trust. Therefore, it is important to first consult with the provincial department or agency most closely aligned with your proposal. Government departments and agencies will then forward proposals meeting the requirements of the Trust to Economic and Rural Development. The proposals are then prepared for review by an inter-departmental steering committee. All submissions will require Executive Council approval.
Q. What types of information should stakeholders provide in their submissions?
A. Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the Community Development Trust Program Proposal Format available in PDF at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/cdtrust when developing their proposals.
Proposals should clearly identify how they fit with the trust, enhance sustainability, and meet at least one of the four strategic areas of investment:
- Economic and trade diversification;
- Improved productivity, innovation and training;
- Preparing for and developing community transition plans;
- Helping workers who are facing adjustment challenges.
Q. What are the principles used to review a proposal to the Trust?
A. The Government of Nova Scotia endorses and is committed to the following guiding principles for the administration of the Community Development Trust:
- Local Leadership - communities must play a leadership role in all initiatives.
- Flexibility - initiatives must be adaptable, innovative and creative, in order to transform unpredictable challenges into new opportunities.
- Sustainable Economies - initiatives must reflect social prosperity and sustainable competitiveness.
- Focus on Community Assets - initiatives must build on existing community capacity and assets.
- Collaborative Approach - initiatives must acknowledge that governments, business and communities share the responsibility of long-term prosperity.
- Measurable Impact (Accountability) - initiatives must demonstrate anticipated economic benefits exceed anticipated costs.
- Social Inclusion - all community members have the opportunity to become engaged and are able to access an initiative's social and economic benefits.
- Balance - initiatives must recognize that the economy, environment and people are interconnected with sustainable communities.
- Forward looking - initiatives must be forward looking, with investments based on what we know and can predict about the future.
Q. Who can submit a proposal for funding from the Trust?
A. Any company, organization or community. It is not so much about who applies as it is about the merits of the application. As noted, proposals must fit the criteria and principles of the Trust and also have the support of a sponsoring provincial government department.
Q. Can a proposal for funding from the Trust also include funding from other sources?
A. Yes. Each proposal can also include funding from other government or private sector sources. In fact, obtaining other sources of funding for each proposal is encouraged.
Q. Does the Trust provide loans?
A. No. The Trust does not provide loans or debt refinancing. But it can be used in combination with other sources of funding that may require repayment.
Q. Is there a minimum amount that can be requested from the Trust?
A. Yes. Proposals to the Trust must be seeking a minimum of $100,000 in Trust funding.
Q. Is there a maximum amount that can be requested from the Trust?
A. No.
Q. How long will the trust be in place?
A. Proposals will be accepted until March 2011, or until the fund is exhausted. All funding will be spent by March 31, 2012.
Q. Where can we find out more about the Trust?
A. If your community or organization already has a relationship with a provincial official or department to which your proposal might go, you should contact that person or department.
