The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil Canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité (CCCM) are very pleased to announce the renewal of a 4 year partnership agreement, the Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI), with the federal government’s Co-operatives Secretariat. One major part of the CDI is the “Innovative Co-operative Projects” component. Through a selection process, we will support individuals or communities as they test new ways of using the co‑operative model, including creating co‑operatives to respond to identified needs.
The next deadline for proposals will be December 31, 2009 and an application form and full details are posted on the CCA and CCCM websites.
The maximum amount will be $75,000 per year per project.
- The major policy priorities are:
- Agriculture including farmer-driven projects for value added agriculture and biofuels
- Rural/northern community development
- Innovative goods and services, including innovative uses of technology
- Capacity building and sustainability
Please visit: http://www.coopscanada.coop/en/coopdev/CDI
The main objective of the Advisory Services component is to support co-operative development in federal priority areas by providing technical advice and assistance to individuals, groups and communities wishing to develop new co-operatives and/or strengthen existing ones.
This objective will be achieved by:
1. Strengthening the capacity of national, regional and sectoral co-operative organizations to promote and develop co-operatives; and
2. Establishing broad-based partnerships between co-operatives and other community based organizations in order to increase use of the co-operative model as a community development tool.
The Advisory Services component wishes to strengthen the quality of technical services provided by co-operative organizations provided to individuals wishing to develop new co-operatives and/or strengthen existing one. The Canadian Co-operative Association and the Conseil Canadien de la Coopération wish to achieve the following results by 2010.
* An established and efficient national network of local, provincial/regional and sectoral specific co-operative developers providing assistance to people interested in developing co-operatives.
* Broad based partnerships with key organizations both within and outside of the co-operative sector.
* Greater community access to co-operative development materials and tools in both official languages.
* Increase use of co-operatives in different sectors and all across the country.
For more information, see the web site of the Canadian Co-operative Association:
To enhance the quality of life in Canada by promoting and supporting the growth and development of co-operatives
The Canadian Co-operative Association and the Conseil Canadien de la Coopération are convinced that by using the co-operative model, Canadian citizens can rectify economic challenges without having to sacrifice the needs of their community and the social aspects that follow.
Several key policy areas have been identified where emerging government priorities correspond to the specialized strengths and the capabilities of the co-operative movement:
* Community economic development and community capacity building
* Knowledge-based economy
* Service delivery for hard-to-reach Canadians
* Rural development
* Development for First Nations and northern Canada
* Agriculture
* Health care
* Environment
* Immigration
* Skill development and employment opportunities for youth
CDI Advisory Services is delivered in partnership with the following organizations. They represent the co-operative sector across the country, in both official languages. To apply for CDI AS assistance please contact these organizations directly.
* Newfoundland-Labrador Federation of Co-operatives
* Conseil de développement coopératif de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard
* Conseil Coopératif Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse
* Coopérative de développement régional - Acadie Limitée (New Brunswick)
* Conseil de la Coopération du Québec
* Fédération des coopératives de développement régional du Québec
* Conseil de la Coopération de l'Ontario
* Ontario Co-operative Association
* Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba
* Manitoba Co-operative Association
* Conseil de la coopération de la Saskatchewan
* Saskatchewan Co-operative Association
* Chambre économique de l'Alberta
* Alberta Community and Co-operative Association
* British Columbia Co-operative Association
* Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation
* Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.
For more information on the services available to emerging or existing co-operatives, you can also communicate directly with:
Caroline Albert
Advisory Services Manager
Canadian Co-operative Association and Conseil Canadien de la Coopération
450 Rideau Street Suite 201
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5Z4
2006 CDI Advistory Services Spring Newsletter
2006 CDI Advisory Services Summer Newletter
2006 CDI Advisory Services Fall Newsletter
2005-06 Summary of CDI Advisory Services Activities
2005-06 CDI Advisory Services Annual Report
2003-06 CDI Advisory Services Incorporation Results
Co-operatives that have been assisted by the CDI Delivery Partners