Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program (ALLESP)

EDUCATION SAVINGS INCENTIVES PAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY OUTREACH

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The opportunity to learn through full-time or part-time study, in a variety of settings, is vital for Canadian children to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of an evolving workforce and a changing economy.

The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) and Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) are incentives offered to individuals and families to plan and save early for their children’s post-secondary education. The Education Savings Incentives (ESI) Pan-Canadian Community Outreach is a strategy to inform eligible individuals and families about the benefits available to them and support them in setting up a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to access these benefits.

This nationally coordinated community-based approach informs people about the enhanced CESG, CLB and Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan benefits to which they are entitled, and raises families’ awareness of the advantages of saving early for their children’s post-secondary education.

Projects must:

Promote the importance of planning and saving for post-secondary education;
Develop and deliver outreach and awareness activities related to the Canada Learning Bond, Canada Education Savings Grant and Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan;
Promote learning and offer continued support to facilitate and encourage ongoing planning and savings for children’s post-secondary education; and
Facilitate access to financial services and institutions, through activities such as providing information, building personal confidence and advocacy.

ESI is a contribution program offering funding to not-for-profit organizations or associations with a mandate in the area of socio-economic development and/or learning. Organizations interested in developing an outreach project can apply for funding through the 2006 Call for Proposals. The “Guidelines for Project Proposals” provides information on funding levels, eligibility and the application process. For more information, refer to:

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/lld/olt/ADULTLLESP/CFP2006/ESI/ESI.shtml

The following application materials and guidelines have been developed for this initiative. Please ensure that you review these materials and guidelines in preparing your application for funding.