Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Department of Family Services is inviting proposals for community-based projects that support women’s empowerment and provide targeted services and programs for men and boys in Nunavut. Selected projects may receive funding of up to $100,000 for initiatives delivered during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
The funding supports leadership skills development, wellness, economic self-sufficiency, employment, self-reliance, and cultural and traditional knowledge. Eligible applicants include community non-profit organizations, municipal corporations, and individuals.
What is this Funding Opportunity?
This funding opportunity supports community-based projects in Nunavut that strengthen empowerment, wellness, leadership, and self-reliance.
The Department of Family Services is accepting proposals for initiatives that support women, men, and boys through locally delivered programs and services.
Projects may begin any time after July 1, 2026, and must be delivered during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
Main Purpose of the Funding Call
The main purpose of the funding call is to support community-based initiatives that improve empowerment, wellbeing, and life opportunities in Nunavut communities.
The program aims to:
- Support women’s empowerment
- Provide targeted services for men and boys
- Build leadership skills
- Improve wellness outcomes
- Strengthen economic self-sufficiency
- Support employment pathways
- Encourage self-reliance
- Promote cultural and traditional knowledge
- Strengthen local community-based programming
Geographic Focus
The funding call supports projects in Nunavut.
Applicants should propose initiatives that respond to the needs of Nunavut communities and are designed for local delivery.
Funding Amount
Selected projects may receive funding of up to $100,000.
Funding should be used to support implementation activities aligned with the objectives of the program.
Applicants should prepare a clear budget showing how requested funds will support project activities, staffing, materials, delivery, outreach, or other eligible implementation needs.
Project Period
Projects will be delivered during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
Projects may begin any time after July 1, 2026.
Applicants should provide a realistic timeline that fits within the fiscal year and clearly explains when activities will begin, how they will be delivered, and what outcomes are expected.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Community non-profit organizations
- Municipal corporations
- Individuals
Applicants must be able to deliver community-based projects in Nunavut.
Where applicable, applicants are required to provide proof of current standing with Nunavut Legal Registries.
Legal Standing Requirement
Applicants may need to provide proof of current standing with Nunavut Legal Registries.
This requirement applies where relevant and helps confirm that the applicant is properly registered or recognized to receive and manage funding.
Applicants should ensure their legal or registration status is current before submitting a proposal.
Key Focus Areas
The funding call supports empowerment, wellness, leadership, employment, and cultural knowledge.
Key focus areas include:
- Women’s empowerment
- Men and boys programming
- Leadership skills development
- Wellness
- Economic self-sufficiency
- Employment
- Self-reliance
- Cultural knowledge
- Traditional knowledge
- Community-based support services
- Local capacity building
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The program supports community-based projects that provide meaningful services, activities, or programs for women, men, and boys.
Supported projects may include:
- Women’s empowerment initiatives
- Leadership development programs
- Wellness programs
- Employment readiness activities
- Economic self-sufficiency projects
- Self-reliance programs
- Community-based services for men and boys
- Cultural learning initiatives
- Traditional knowledge-based programming
- Local support programs that strengthen wellbeing and capacity
Women’s Empowerment Projects
Women’s empowerment projects should help women strengthen confidence, skills, safety, leadership, independence, and participation in community life.
These projects may support:
- Leadership development
- Wellness and healing
- Employment preparation
- Economic independence
- Cultural connection
- Self-reliance
- Community engagement
- Skill-building opportunities
Programs for Men and Boys
The funding call also supports community-based services and programs designed for men and boys.
These projects may focus on:
- Wellness
- Positive identity development
- Leadership skills
- Employment pathways
- Life skills
- Self-reliance
- Cultural and traditional knowledge
- Community connection
- Supportive programming for boys and young men
Cultural and Traditional Knowledge
Projects may include cultural and traditional knowledge as part of empowerment, wellness, leadership, and community development.
Cultural and traditional knowledge activities can help strengthen identity, intergenerational learning, resilience, belonging, and connection to community values.
Applicants should clearly explain how cultural or traditional knowledge will be respectfully included in the project.
Key Concepts Explained
Women’s Empowerment
Women’s empowerment refers to initiatives that help women strengthen their confidence, skills, leadership, independence, wellbeing, and ability to participate fully in community life.
Community-Based Programming
Community-based programming is designed and delivered locally to respond to the needs, culture, strengths, and priorities of a specific community.
Economic Self-Sufficiency
Economic self-sufficiency means having the skills, resources, confidence, and opportunities needed to support financial independence and stability.
Self-Reliance
Self-reliance refers to the ability of individuals or communities to build skills, make decisions, solve challenges, and access opportunities with greater independence.
Wellness
Wellness includes emotional, physical, mental, social, cultural, and community wellbeing.
Traditional Knowledge
Traditional knowledge refers to knowledge, practices, teachings, and values passed down through generations within communities.
How the Funding Works
Eligible applicants submit proposals for community-based projects in Nunavut.
Projects should align with one or more program focus areas, such as women’s empowerment, men and boys programming, leadership, wellness, employment, self-reliance, or cultural knowledge.
Selected projects may receive funding of up to $100,000 to support implementation during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a proposal that clearly explains the project purpose, target participants, community need, activities, timeline, budget, and expected outcomes.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm eligibility as a community non-profit organization, municipal corporation, or individual.
- Confirm that the project will be delivered in Nunavut.
- Identify the target group, such as women, men, boys, or a specific community group.
- Select the relevant focus areas, such as empowerment, wellness, leadership, employment, or cultural knowledge.
- Define the community need the project will address.
- Prepare a project plan with activities, timeline, staffing, and delivery approach.
- Prepare a budget of up to $100,000.
- Explain how the funding will support implementation activities.
- Provide proof of current standing with Nunavut Legal Registries where applicable.
- Submit the proposal according to the Department of Family Services’ requirements.
Assessment Considerations
Proposals should clearly show community need, local relevance, and the ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.
Applications may be assessed based on:
- Alignment with program objectives
- Benefit to Nunavut communities
- Focus on women’s empowerment or men and boys programming
- Strength of leadership, wellness, or employment outcomes
- Inclusion of cultural and traditional knowledge where relevant
- Feasibility of the project plan
- Realistic budget
- Applicant capacity
- Community-based delivery approach
- Clear implementation timeline
- Expected impact on participants
Expected Results
Funded projects should create practical benefits for individuals, families, and communities in Nunavut.
Expected results may include:
- Stronger leadership skills
- Improved wellness
- Increased confidence and self-reliance
- Greater economic self-sufficiency
- Improved employment readiness
- Stronger cultural connection
- Better access to community-based support
- Increased empowerment for women
- Improved programming for men and boys
- Stronger community capacity
Why It Matters
Community-based programs can play an important role in strengthening empowerment, wellbeing, employment, and cultural connection.
Women, men, and boys may face different barriers and support needs, and locally designed initiatives can respond to these needs in practical and culturally relevant ways.
This funding opportunity helps Nunavut communities develop programs that build leadership, wellness, self-reliance, and pathways toward stronger futures.
Tips for Strong Proposals
A strong proposal should clearly explain the need, the target group, and the expected change.
Applicants should focus on:
- Clear community need
- Strong connection to Nunavut communities
- Practical project design
- Clear target participants
- Strong empowerment or wellness outcomes
- Leadership and skills development
- Economic self-sufficiency or employment pathways
- Respectful use of cultural and traditional knowledge
- Realistic budget
- Clear implementation plan
- Measurable results
Applicants should avoid broad proposals that do not clearly explain who will benefit, what activities will be delivered, and how the project will create positive change.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should carefully check eligibility and proposal requirements before applying.
Common mistakes include:
- Not showing a clear community-based purpose
- Failing to identify the target group
- Providing vague project activities
- Not explaining how the project supports empowerment or services for men and boys
- Missing proof of current standing where applicable
- Providing an unclear budget
- Not showing how funding will support implementation
- Submitting a timeline outside the 2026–2027 fiscal year
- Not explaining expected outcomes
- Ignoring the role of wellness, leadership, employment, or cultural knowledge
FAQ
What is this funding call about?
It supports community-based projects in Nunavut that promote women’s empowerment and provide services or programs for men and boys.
How much funding is available?
Selected projects may receive funding of up to $100,000.
When can projects begin?
Projects may begin any time after July 1, 2026.
What fiscal year does the funding cover?
Projects must be delivered during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
Who can apply?
Community non-profit organizations, municipal corporations, and individuals are eligible to apply.
What focus areas are supported?
The call supports women’s empowerment, men and boys programming, leadership skills development, wellness, economic self-sufficiency, employment, self-reliance, and cultural and traditional knowledge.
Is proof of legal standing required?
Applicants must provide proof of current standing with Nunavut Legal Registries where applicable.
Conclusion
The Department of Family Services funding call supports community-based projects that strengthen women’s empowerment and provide targeted services for men and boys in Nunavut. With funding of up to $100,000, selected projects can support leadership, wellness, employment, economic self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and cultural knowledge during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
Strong proposals will demonstrate clear community need, practical activities, measurable outcomes, eligible applicant status, realistic budgeting, and strong alignment with the program’s empowerment and community support objectives.
For more information, visit Government of Nunavut.
