The Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) supports community-based projects that spark innovation and collaboration and build stronger, more competitive sectors and regions. The fund helps sectors and communities become more competitive by funding projects that have a broad impact on a sector or region, and promotes cooperation and partnerships.

Program Objectives

• Support community-based projects that spark innovation and collaboration
• Build stronger, more competitive sectors and regions
• Help sectors and communities become more competitive
• Fund projects that have broad impact on a sector or region
• Promote cooperation and partnerships
• Advance public interests in economic development

Eligible Project Types

• Sector development initiatives
• Economic diversification projects
• Workforce competitiveness programs
• Applied research and development
• Pilot projects
• Other initiatives that create widespread benefits for a sector or industry within Nova Scotia

Evaluation Criteria

Applications evaluated based on seven key criteria:

Productivity and Competitiveness: Does the project consider new and innovative ways of doing things? How does it boost Nova Scotia's competitiveness and increase productivity?

Collaborative Partnerships: Does the project include more than one organization/business/community group? Are there other funders involved? Have (or will) other government departments be involved? Partnerships can include private sector, academic institutions and non-profit organizations.

Sector-wide Impact: Will the outcomes and results provide widespread benefits to a sector or region?

Measurement Plan: What are the metrics for success and the method to monitor progress? Are the metrics realistic? How is project success defined?

Sustainability of Opportunity: Does the project have long-lasting impacts for a specific sector or industry within Nova Scotia? What is the current financial state of the organization and capital assets/liabilities? What is the revenue model for sustainability? Is there future growth potential?

Leadership and Stewardship: Does the organization/project have proven leadership, financial capital and human capital?

Alignment with Provincial Objectives: Alignment of project with overall provincial policy objectives and any priority funding areas identified by the Department.

Eligible Costs

All reasonable direct and incidental costs deemed essential for project implementation. A cost is reasonable if, in nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by an ordinary prudent person in the conduct of competitive business.