The Strategic Development Initiative (SDI) program supports archives, community museums, municipal governments, not-for-profit groups and other bodies exploring common heritage objectives. The program assists sector organizations in their heritage stewardship role by supporting revitalization and strengthening the sector through community partnerships.

The program encourages "partners-in-heritage" to develop projects that build on a community's assets and strengths to further sector development. To maintain its heritage stewardship role in the province, the sector must continually revitalize and strengthen itself in creative and innovative ways.

Program Goals:

• Develop and expand retail operations of existing heritage organizations to encourage sale of arts and crafts "made in Nova Scotia" and increase earned income
• Develop new revenue sources to increase financial sustainability
• Improve leadership and programming skills of existing heritage-related boards and workers through training in targeted areas (fundraising, tourist market readiness, strategic planning/business plans, program evaluation, interpretation planning, site development and renewal planning, marketing studies)
• Develop new audiences that expand the heritage sector's service base in targeted areas (new exhibits based on formal interpretive plan, improved online resources, etc.)
• Increase heritage/community cooperation

Project Requirements:

• Projects must start no earlier than date of application submission
• Projects must be completed by March 31, 2026
• Proposals should emphasize how project will contribute towards greater sustainability in the future
• Funding must support projects, not operating costs
• Cannot duplicate other existing, reduced or eliminated programs
• Cannot be used for purposes other than those outlined in project
• No substantial changes can be made without written consent of Program Officer
• Applicants should contact program before preparing and submitting application to ensure eligibility

Priority Projects:

Applications receive priority consideration if they:

• Demonstrate multi-partner approach
• Demonstrate regional or provincial impact
• Employ an innovative approach