Deadline: 15-Dec-20
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), department of Government of Canada, has announced the Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships (INRP) program.
The Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships (INRP) program is a renewed 2-year initiative to increase the participation of Indigenous communities and organizations in oil and gas infrastructure development in BC and/or Alberta.
INRP has $12 million of funding for projects that:
- enhance the capacity of Indigenous communities to capitalize on business opportunities
- facilitate access of Indigenous communities and/or organizations to information, tools and/or resources that support business, employment and training opportunities
- support community and regional engagement regarding economic participation in energy infrastructure projects
Examples of 2019-20 INRP projects include:
- Chu Cho Environmental (BC) – $80,000 for Building Technological Capacity for Chu Cho Environmental and Wai Wah Environmental to Increase Economic Participation in Energy Infrastructure Projects. This project is supporting Kitselas First Nation and their partner Tsay Keh Dene Nation in developing a cohesive digital strategy and implementation plan that will increase their capacity to participate individually and as partners in economic opportunities related to energy infrastructure projects.
- Pimee Well Servicing (AB) – $350,000 for the Rig 11 Freestanding Double Rig Modernization Project. This project is supporting an Indigenous company, wholly-owned by six Alberta First Nations, in expanding their customer base and diversifying their services by undertaking a modernization project and retrofitting an oil rig.
- First Nations Major Projects Coalition (BC & AB) – $1,350,000 for First Nations-Led Innovation in Advancing Major Project Development. This project is supporting the FNMPC in undertaking activities to increase the participation of their First Nations members in economic opportunities related to energy infrastructure.
Eligible Activities
Examples of activities that INRP could fund include
- studies, plans, evaluations, assessments or related activities to identify or develop economic or business opportunities
- strategic, business, human resources, marketing and financial planning or community economic development planning
- identification of opportunities, application and development of agreements or licenses related
- development or expansion of Indigenous joint ventures, partnerships or businesses;
- capacity development and training
- development of tools, technology, products, services and systems development
- engineering design, environmental planning and permitting or other project design activities
- site development, facility construction and commissioning, and business start-up and expansion operation
- Projects that are subject to a federal, provincial or other environmental assessment will not be funded due to the limited timeframe of the program.
NOTE: INRP is intended to fill gaps in available federal programming.
Eligible Costs
Eligible costs are required to carry out the project and may include:
- professional/technical services
- salaries/wages/benefits
- training/skills development
- facility/transportation rentals
- communication materials
- planning/design costs
- capital costs, including equipment/machinery
- travel, including accommodation/meals/allowances
- honoraria, ceremonial costs, and hospitality costs for community engagement events and project meetings
- overhead costs directly related to the project, not to exceed 15% of total contribution
Eligible Recipients
Recipients that are eligible for INRP funding must be based in BC and/or Alberta, and include:
- Indigenous communities or governments (including Indian Act bands, self-governing First Nations, Métis Community Organizations, modern treaty implementation organizations including economic development corporations constituted under a modern treaty, etc.)
- Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council)
- Regional Indigenous organizations
- Indigenous not-for-profit (50% or greater control by Indigenous peoples) and for-profit (50% or greater control by an Indigenous community / communities) corporations, businesses, joint ventures
- Academic institutions and research associations working with an Indigenous partner organization
NOTE: INRP is not funding businesses controlled by individual entrepreneurs.
Assessment Criteria
Eligible project proposals will be assessed based on the following criteria
- alignment with program objectives to increase Indigenous participation in economic opportunities related to oil and gas infrastructure development
- outcomes and benefits
- feasibility (organizational capacity, relevant experience, timelines)
- financial viability (financial capacity, value for contribution, reasonable costs)
- risk (complexity, timelines, risk management strategies)
- demonstration of need for proposed activities and deliverables
- level of participation and support from Indigenous communities and/or organizations
Preference may be given to projects that:
- demonstrate the ability to proceed on a timely basis
- include at least one private, government or non-governmental partner organization (providing cash funding or in-kind support)
- include additional partner organizations (more than one partner)
- result in benefits to multiple Indigenous communities
- include a greater proportion of funding (financial or in-kind contributions) derived from non-federal partners
- support increased participation of underrepresented groups, including Indigenous women
NOTE: External assessors (federal, provincial and municipal government departments/agencies, non-profit, economic development or other organizations) may review the project proposal and/or supporting documentation.
For more information, visit https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/indigenous-natural-resources/indigenous-natural-resource-partnerships/22197