Institutions will submit projects with clear objectives, an appropriate management framework, an accountability framework, and an evaluation process demonstrating concrete results. Approved projects must be completed by March 31 of the fiscal year following their approval. Activities may be multi-year; however, financing is approved annually according to obtained results and is subject to approval.

In order to obtain funding from the Regional Partnerships Fund, the federal regional councils have to meet the following criteria. Proposals must:

1.1	be submitted by January 31, 2006;(Extension until February 3, 2006).
1.2	support the Official Languages Program with respect to service to the public; language of work; and equitable participation of English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians;
1.3	comply with the specific objectives relating to organizational cultural change identified in the Official Languages Action Plan concerning their obligations with respect to service to the public, language of work, and equitable participation;
1.4	have a long-term ripple effect in the institutions as well as in the region to maximize their effects and serve as a model for federal institutions;
1.5	give priority to projects aimed at regional interdepartmental collaboration and carried out in consultation with official language minority communities;
1.6	implement innovative and co-operative projects to improve service to the public and the situation regarding language of work in designated bilingual regions; and
1.7	aim to increase equitable participation of linguistic minority communities where this issue is a problem.

2. Process

Regional Partnerships Fund

2.1	A single federal institution (banking institution) manages the fund. The Federal Regional Council is be responsible for project co-ordination and reports on the financing.
2.2	The council determines its official languages needs and priorities.
2.3	The council elaborates activities, projects, and concepts that will address its needs and priorities.
2.4	The council evaluates the proposed projects and selects those to be presented to the Regional Partnerships Fund.
2.5	The council submits these projects to the Official Languages Branch (OLB) of the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada (PSHRMAC) for evaluation and approval.
2.6	The Federal Regional Council ensures that the notice of agreement is signed by the Minister representing the banking institution prior to presenting the omnibus submission to Treasury Board.
2.7	The institutions participating in the projects sign a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the projects with OLB and the Steering Committee.
2.8	The host institution receives funding under the terms of the memorandum of understanding signed with OLB and the Steering Committee.
2.9	The Federal Regional Council delivers a project activity report to OLB for evaluation purposes six months after implementation of the projects.

3. Content of Submissions to the Regional Partnerships Fund

It is important to provide the following information for all projects eligible for funding under the Regional Partnerships Fund:

3.1	a clear description of the projects, their objectives, and anticipated results;
3.2	a description of the links to the institution’s official languages program priorities and Regional Partnerships Fund objectives;
3.3	a detailed work plan describing the projects and an implementation schedule;
3.4	a detailed budget;
3.5	a description of the performance indicators and evaluation mechanisms for the results of the projects;
3.6	an agreement to share information, knowledge, and experience; and
3.7	a description of anticipated national and regional impacts.

4. Funding Method

4.1	Accepted projects are approved on an annual basis and end on March 31 of the year following their approval.
4.2	Projects are subject to parliamentary approval of funds and to the maintenance of current and forecasted budgetary levels of the Regional Partnerships Fund.

5. Access to Information and Privacy

All activities and projects funded by the Regional Partnerships Fund are subject to information requests under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

6. Mentions

The Federal Regional Council undertakes to acknowledge the financial support of the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada and all participating federal organizations in any advertising documents, promotional activities, and programs of events.

7. Contact Information

For more information on the administration of the Regional Partnerships Fund, please contact the Official Languages Branch, Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada:

Public Service Human Resources
Management Agency of Canada
Official Languages Branch
Executive Secretariat
300 Laurier Avenue West
7th Floor, West Tower
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0R5
Madeleine Simard, Coordinator
Telephone: (613) 948-9185
Fax: (613) 957-7036
Danielle de Bellefeuille, Manager
Telephone: (613) 952-3132
Fax: (613) 957-7036

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