Fonds d'innovation rurale ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Small rural communities with populations under 3,000 residents - Local government entities and municipal corporations - Community organizations and non-profit associations - Rural business groups and cooperative enterprises - Indigenous communities in rural areas - Regional development organizations serving rural populations ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Type: Non-repayable funding (grant, not loan) - Grant Size: Not specified in program description; typically ranges from $5,000–$50,000+ depending on project scope and community needs - Matching Requirements: Typically requires community or project partner contribution (percentage varies by program iteration) - Repayability: No repayment obligation - Funding Ratio: Grant covers portion of eligible project costs; matching funds from applicant or partners usually required ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Development and implementation of innovative community solutions - Identification and addressing of identified service/infrastructure gaps - Rural innovation projects addressing local challenges - Community capacity-building initiatives - Technology adoption and digital infrastructure improvements - Feasibility studies and planning for rural innovation initiatives - Training and skills development programs ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Population Cap: Community must have fewer than 3,000 residents - Problem Identification: Applicant must clearly identify and document existing gaps in current solutions within the community - Innovation Requirement: Proposed solution must demonstrate innovation for the rural context - Community Engagement: Projects should involve local stakeholder input and support - Reporting Obligations: Recipients must track outcomes and report on project progress and results - Timeline: Project completion and milestone deadlines as specified in funding agreement - Eligible Use: Funds must be used exclusively for identified innovative community solutions