Information Sheet
Call for Expressions of Interest
for funding from the Targeted Investment Program (TIP) for projects
in the area of Tourism Infrastructure and Product Development
Overview
The Targeted Investment Program (TIP) is a part of Indian and
Northern Affairs Canada's (INAC’s) northern economic development
program funding suite. Investments made under TIP are guided by
a territory-specific multi-year investment plan. One thrust of
the Northwest Territories’ TIP Investment Plan is to stimulate
the growth of the tourism sector by funding projects that address
barriers impeding the sector's robust development. Tourism has
been identified as the sector offering the best opportunities
for NWT economic diversification and enhancement of community-level
economic participation. Up to $2.55 million has been targeted
for this area of investment between April 1, 2006 and March 31,
2009.
Within the tourism sector, the lack of world class tourism infrastructure
and products has been identified as one of the barriers to the
sector's growth in the NWT. One element to be funded from within
the tourism thrust is Tourism Infrastructure and Product Development.
This Call for Expressions of Interest is aimed at organizations
that are active in the NWT, have economic development responsibilities
as part of their mandate and who wish to be considered for funding
under the Targeted Investment Program in the area of Tourism Infrastructure
and Product Development.
Objective
The overall objective of funding projects in the area of Tourism
Infrastructure and Product Development is to encourage the creation
of new tourist draws within the NWT. These tourist draws will
be attractions - infrastructure and/or products - with potential
to attract an increased number of pleasure tourists from outside
the NWT to visit the territory and/or to increase expenditures
in the territory made by pleasure tourists from outside the NWT.
By increasing the number and expenditures of tourists, the Target
Investment Program aims to strengthen the tourism sector and contribute
to economic diversification.
Applicant Eligibility
This Call for Expressions of Interest is open to all NWT-based
public or Aboriginal governments; organizations and associations
with economic development responsibilities in their mandate who
serve the NWT; and, corporations operating in the NWT. Preference
will be given to projects presented by existing entities with
demonstrated organizational capacity to execute economic development
projects.
Project Eligibility
Expressions of Interest must outline projects related to the development
or enhancement of tourism infrastructure and/or tourism products.
Projects must demonstrate potential to draw new pleasure tourists
from outside the NWT to visit the territory or to induce incremental
expenditures in the territory by pleasure tourists from outside
the NWT. Preference will be given to projects that can demonstrate
sustainability beyond the period of program funding, and to projects
providing benefits to multiple participants in the territory’s
tourism sector.
Duration of Funding
Current funding under the Targeted Investment Program (TIP) is
available until March 31, 2009. All projects funded through this
program must be completed by that date.
Projects may be approved for funding for up to three years. However
this funding is subject to yearly budget considerations and approvals.
In addition, funding is subject to an annual review of the project's
progress and its outcomes and benefits.
Ineligible Activities
Activities will not be funded by the Targeted Investment Program
if they are not linked to economic growth. Furthermore, TIP funding
cannot be used for the following:
- core funding and ongoing operations and maintenance of
organizations;
- research or knowledge-based activities that are primarily
a resource management function not directly related to economic
development;
- direct skills training for individuals normally offered
through learning institutions or apprenticeship programs;
- major capital investments in infrastructure (e.g. new
laboratories for the purpose of expanding the knowledge base);
- construction activity (as opposed to planning activity)
related to large engineering works such as roads, highways, bridges,
airports, rail roads, ports, wharves, dams, commercial buildings
and other similar infrastructure; and,
- investments in new or existing infrastructure which is
owned or operated for the benefit of a single for-profit enterprise,
rather than benefiting multiple participants in the economy.
Eligible Expenditures
TIP funding under Tourism Infrastructure and Product Development
can cover all expenditures that are reasonably needed to carry
out the project except: core funding and ongoing operation and
maintenance costs; and wage subsidies for persons receiving training
through course work or on the job.
Project Funding Limits
Commencing April 1, 2006 and ending on March 31, 2009, amounts
available for project funding in support of the Tourism Infrastructure
and Product Development will be approximately $850,000 annually,
with the level of TIP funding for projects being determined through
the selection process. As a general rule, the amount provided
will be the least amount required to allow a project to proceed.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada can provide assistance up to
100% of total eligible costs for non-commercial projects, and
up to 75% of total eligible costs for commercial private sector
projects. However, the project selection criteria strongly favour
projects that have budgeted for significant funding contribution
from sources outside INAC.
If another federal department is a funding partner, stacking
rules of that department's program will need to be respected by
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
Repayable Contributions
If a funding contribution made to a for-profit entity exceeds
$100,000 and is intended to allow that entity to generate profits
or increase the value of its business, the contribution will be
subject to repayment.
Contents of the Expression of Interest
The Expression of Interest should be a type written document.
It should contain sections providing the following information:
Basic Information:
the project title;
name of applicant, including legal name if different;
and,
contact information (name, title, address, telephone,
fax, e-mail).
Applicant Information:
the background of the delivery organization;
its mandate, goals, objectives, activities, accomplishments;
its governance structure;
information on previous agreements with other organizations
and the results of such agreements; and,
its expertise to carry-out the proposed activities.
Project Background
Provide a summary of background research and activities that were
done in preparation for the project, such as environmental scans,
literature review, etc. Include a description of how the project
fits the objectives of this proposal call.
Project Description
Describe the scope, objectives, action plan, and delivery system
for the project. Include comments about the organizational capacity
and the roll of each project partner. It should include the anticipated
outputs, outcomes and impacts. The planned strategies for project
sunset, evaluation, and information sharing can be included here
as well.
Project Work Plan
Describe the specific activities that will be undertaken and include
a description of the expected outputs, outcomes and impacts of
each activity. The activities will share the following characteristics:
action-based; of definite duration; have identifiable logical
relationships to other activities in the project; have identifiable
use of resources such as people, materials or facilities; and
have a directly associated cost. The main project activities should
be linked to timelines and costs over the project duration. The
activities should be linked to the expected outputs, outcomes
and impacts.
Project Budget
The budget should include an expense section that links costs
to the work plan activities. The budget should also include a
revenue section detailing all expected sources of funding. The
budget should note which funding sources are confirmed and which
are actively being sought.
Governance / Management Structure
Describe how the project will be managed. Describe the key stakeholders
as well as their roles and responsibilities. Describe how the
management structure will contribute to the achieving the project's
objectives.
Organizational Capacity and Partners
Present a description of human resource requirements and practices
(hiring, evaluation, etc.) and administrative procedures as related
to executing the project. Project partnerships should be identified,
including information about each partner's rationale for involvement
and each partner's contribution, whether financial or in-kind.
Evaluation Strategy
State what baseline information will be collected to measure project
outputs, outcomes, and benefits, who will be responsible for evaluation,
the timetable for reporting findings, and how success and risk
factors will be identified, including ongoing benchmarks throughout
and beyond the funding period.
Project Benefits
Highlight the benefits expected to be derived from the project.
Describe how the project contributes to economic development.
Identify the economic stakeholders that will benefit and how they
will benefit. Provide a rationale supporting the sustainability
of project benefits beyond the funding period.
Project Selection Criteria
Expressions of Interest submitted will be evaluated based on the
following criteria:
1. The strength with which the Expression of Interest demonstrates
that the project will contribute to creating or enhancing tourism
infrastructure or tourism product. This infrastructure or product
has potential to attract new pleasure tourists from outside the
NWT to the territory or to induce increased expenditures in the
territory by pleasure tourists from outside the NWT.
2. The strength with which the Expression of Interest demonstrates
that the project will provide benefits to multiple participants
of the NWT economy, including benefits sustainable beyond the
project funding period.
3. The strength with which the Expression of Interest demonstrates
that the project proponent has the management, administrative
and institutional capacity to successfully execute the project.
4. The level of support, including funding support, from stakeholders
other than Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
5. The reasonableness of the funding requested in relation the
project activities and the expected benefits that will be derived
from the project.
6. That the project will not cause detrimental market disruption
to existing business enterprises in the NWT economy.
7. That the project will not overlap or duplicate existing programs,
and the extent to which the project complements existing programs
that provide incremental benefits.
8. The extent to which the project addresses regional challenges
and opportunities while maintaining consistency with federal government
priorities
Funding may not be available for all Expressions of Interest submitted
that meet the eligibility criteria. Proposals that demonstrate
that they can best meet the stated selection criteria will be
given priority.
Notification
All proponents that submit Expressions of Interest will be advised
of the outcome of the selection process regarding their project.
The proponents of projects deemed successful in the Expression
of Interest process will be contacted to complete the application
and approval process. They may be requested to provide further
information or to develop a complete detailed project proposal.
The selection of a project outlined in an Expression of Interest
does not constitute funding approval for the project. The initiative
may receive further evaluation, including consideration of the
project's alignment with federal government terms and conditions
for contribution funding. Final project funding decisions will
be made by the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
or his delegate.
For further information, please contact:
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Northwest Territories Region
4920 – 52nd Street
P.O. Box 2760
Yellowknife NT X1A 2R1
Toll Free: 1 866 669 2620 or 867 669 2627
Fax: 867 669 2711
Deadline for submission is July
14, 2006
