Resource Details

Program or Service	Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Initiative The program will provide financial assistance to: ·Young rural Aboriginal entrepreneurs for costs associated with business start up, and ·Community organizations for activities targeted at increasing the participation of young rural Aboriginal people in entrepreneurship and business. The program funding can be used for: ·Costs associated with the establishment of a business, ·Activities such as seminars and workshops, educational tours or conferences, and the development of resource materials.
Organization	MAFRI GO Team and the Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Initiative Program The Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Initiative is designed to support the growth and development of young rural Aboriginal people in entrepreneurial and business initiatives located in rural Manitoba. In today's economy, many Aboriginal people are realizing the needs of the market place and are actively seeking to engage in entrepreneurial activities in primary production as well as other rural based businesses, or to find ways of adding value or capacity to the products and services they are already producing. The Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Initiative will provide these individuals with the skills and resources to participate and profit in these endeavors.
Eligibility Details	The Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Initiative will accept applications for extension programs and business activities aimed at young rural Aboriginal people less than 40 years of age from community organizations or aboriginal youth submitted in conjunction with their local MAFRI GO team. Eligible applicants must fit ONE of the following two sets of criteria: 1. Manitoba Entrepreneur: · Must be under 40 years of age · Must be of Aboriginal heritage (Status or Non-status Indian - located on or off-reserve - Metis or Inuit) ·Must be a Canadian citizen or possess landed immigrant status ·Business must be located in a rural Manitoba community (ie. outside the city of Winnipeg) 2. Community Organizations encouraging and supporting Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship ·Must develop an extension program with a targeted audience of rural Aboriginal youth ·Program must contain content aimed at encouraging and supporting Aboriginal youth in entrepreneurship or business activities
How To Apply	All applications must be submitted through the local MAFRI GO Team office and must identify a MAFRI staff person as liaison. An applicant contribution of 25% of total project costs is required and must come from non-government sources. This portion of the project costs can be financial or in-kind support. The program applicant will be mentored by MAFRI staff throughout the process from application to completion of the approved activities. All applications to the program will be required to include an evaluation component to assess the effectiveness of activities in engaging young rural Aboriginal people in entrepreneurial and business activities. An evaluation report must be submitted to their GO team representative within 8 weeks following the completion of the activity. For more information, interested individuals should contact their local MAFRI GO Team office or the Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Initiative - Program Administrators BDS -Entrepreneurship, Laurie Crowe (761-0551) or RLS - Aboriginal Program Specialist, Michelle Bessette (726-6220) to identify a MAFRI liaison and discuss project eligibility.
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Additional Information	Project applications will be accepted on an on-going basis and will be reviewed by the Review Committee monthly. Once projects have been approved, 50% of project funding will be advanced upon the signing of a Contribution Agreement. The remaining funds will be provided upon successful completion of the project and submission of a summary evaluation and financial report. The initiative will be promoted through press releases and through various networks within the aboriginal community. Please note: The Young Rural Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Initiative will work in close liaison with other funding programs and, if proposed project goals correspond more directly, will refer applicants to the appropriate agency and programs. See attached document - "Review of other Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Programs and Funding" - for listing and description of other potential programs.