Co-operative Development Initiative

Innovation and Research Application Guidelines

This application form is for both innovation and research projects. Some portions may not be relevant for research projects.

1. Title of Project
2. Applicant Information
3. Project Description
4. Results
5. Project Management
6. Partnership Information
7. Budget
8. Other Information Relevant to the Project
9. Characteristics of Successful Applications

1. Title of Project

Provide a clear, short title for the project.

2. Applicant Information

Complete all relevant boxes in this section. "Designated Officer" is the person authorized to submit an application and sign agreements on behalf of the organization. "Contact person" is the person who has actively participated in the development of the application, and who may be contacted for further information.

3. Project Description

Objectives

Provide a clear and concise description of what you plan to achieve over the course of the project, using concrete and measurable objectives.

Background

Provide a short history of your project. Discuss how the project originated and why a co-operative was selected as your approach. For research projects, demonstrate how you identified the need for the research, and how it complements research already conducted on this subject.

Activities

Describe the key project activities, along with a work plan which sets out what you will do, who will do it, and when. You may find a table format useful (maximum 2 pages).

Start and Finish Dates

Provide the expected start and finish dates for the project.

4. Results

The goal of the CDI Innovation and Research component is to develop, document and share the knowledge gained from building co-operatives and from researching the issues facing co-operatives. Each project will require a plan to document the lessons learned and to make this knowledge available to a wider audience.

Innovation

Describe how your project tests an innovative approach or uses the co-operative model in an innovative way.

Priorities

Indicate which of the six CDI priority areas that the project might address:

• adding value to agriculture
• access to health care and home care
• economic development in rural, remote or Northern communities
• development of aboriginal communities
• integration of immigrants into Canadian communities
• community solutions to environmental challenges

Expected Outcomes

Provide information on the expected outcomes of your project, including the impact on the members of the co-operative and the community.

Sharing the Results

Identify how you would measure success and how this information will be documented. Explain how the results of your project could be applied to the development of co-operatives generally, and to which communities they might be most relevant. Describe how you would share the lessons learned with others.

5. Project Management

Explain how the project will be managed, including roles and responsibilities, systems in place for financial control, and any other pertinent information to demonstrate the readiness of your organization to efficiently and effectively carry out your project.

6. Partnership Information

Partnerships are an important means to achieve results and to foster local commitment to your project. Partners can assist through awareness raising, adding or pooling resources, providing advice, and sharing information. Partners can contribute various kinds of resources such as funding, expert advice and training, and volunteer time.

Provide a description of your partners and what they will contribute to the project. Include letters of commitment and support with your application.

7. Budget

Provide budget details, including a breakdown of costs, funds requested from CDI, applicant/partner contribution, and any revenue expected. For multi-year projects, the budget should be broken down by years.

The maximum contribution from CDI is $75,000 per project per year. Applicants, partners, are expected to contribute at least 25% of the total project costs. The applicant/partner funding can be from other government sources, but total federal government contributions should not exceed 75% of project costs.

Applicant and partner funding can be in cash or in-kind. An in-kind contribution is a monetary value assigned to services, human resources, or other contributions provided to implement a project, and commonly includes items such as the use of premises, supervisory hours, and project management expertise. List all applicant and partner contributions, and whether it is in cash or in-kind.

CDI funds will only pay for the additional costs that your organization will incur to successfully implement the project, including expenses such as office rental, labour costs, office supplies and professional fees. CDI cannot pay for capital costs or ongoing business costs.

8. Other Information Relevant to the Project

This section is an opportunity to add any further information that would support your proposal. This could include background material on your organization, information on the issue being addressed, and so on.

9. Characteristics of Successful Applications

Innovation Projects:

• There is an obvious commitment to the co-operative model, an overview of the membership structure and a clear description of the benefits to the members and community.
• The project demonstrates a grass-roots approach to development, where a group of people have identified a common need and have chosen to meet that need through co-operation.
• The objectives and activities of the project are measurable and achievable, and they are stated clearly. Activities are aligned with the CDI funding criteria, and they are clearly linked to cost categories in the project budget.
• The funding requested directly relates to activities involving the development of the co-operative, not the operational or technical costs that any type of business might incur.
• There is a group of relevant partner organizations and diverse funding sources for the project.
• There is clear evidence of support from the community and others who will help ensure the success of the project.
• There is evidence that the co-op will be sustainable over the long-term and will have a positive impact on the community.
  

Research Projects:

• There is a focus on hands-on, action based research.
• The proposed research is clearly linked to the development of co-operatives within the timeframe of the CDI program.
• Research questions are within the scope of the CDI program.
• The subject area has been identified as a key gap in current knowledge.