Western Economic Diversification Canada
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Western Diversification Program - Summary
What is the WDP Invitation to Apply?
What kinds of projects are funded through the WDP?
Who is Eligible for Assistance?
What kinds of activities are eligible for funding?
What Costs are Eligible?
Other Funding Guidelines
How can I apply?
Related reading
What is the WDP Invitation to Apply?
The Western Diversification Program (WDP) is the main program through which Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) makes strategic investments in initiatives that enhance and strengthen the economy of Western Canada.
The underlying objective of the WDP is to create a stronger West and a stronger Canada. WD’s current priorities are Trade and Investment, Business Productivity and Growth, and Technology Commercialization, and are used to help assess how projects contribute to this objective.
top of pageWhat kinds of projects are funded through the WDP?
WD supports projects that are aligned with its mandate, meet its priorities, and are eligible under the mandatory criteria as outlined in the WDP Terms and Conditions. WD also focuses on projects that include one or more of the following elements:
- Result in economic benefits to more than one western Canadian province or all of Western Canada;
- Leverage funding from non-government sources;
- Include industry participation.
Who is Eligible for Assistance?
Funding is primarily only provided to not-for-profit organizations such as:
- Industry associations, community and/or economic development organizations & research organizations;
- Post-secondary institutions;
- Indian bands, as represented by their Chief and Council;
- Provincial or municipal governments, agencies, and crown corporations.
WD also provides financing information for businesses through other programs.
What kinds of activities are eligible for funding?
Funding under the WDP may support the following activities:
Trade, Investment, and Market Access
Enhance international business engagement and attract investment to the region. Activities may include:
- Increasing international exports for western Canadian businesses (e.g. trade show activities);
- Participation in global markets (both to source and supply goods and services) and international partnerships;
- Attracting new foreign investment as well as Canadian Direct Investments Abroad to support access to and participation in global value chains;
- Address global supply chain gaps (e.g. facilitate SME achievement of international standards to participate in global supply chains; branding of western Canadian capabilities to expand participation in domestic and/or international markets);
- Development of trade-related infrastructure to enhance trade flows in and out of Western Canada and promote Western Canada as an attractive destination for international visitors (tourists, students, researchers, and investors);
- Supporting international research and development partnerships to enhance awareness of Western Canada's technology capabilities abroad.
Business Productivity and Growth
Enhance business productivity, competitiveness, and growth. Activities may include:
- Promoting awareness and adoption of sound management and business practices and new technologies;
- Enhancing SME access to new technologies (e.g. testing) to improve competitiveness of western Canadian SMEs; and
- Creating supportive business networks and increasing access to skilled labour and/or highly qualified people.
Technology Commercialization
Increase the commercialization of knowledge-based products, processes, and services. Activities may include:
- Development and production of prototypes, and demonstration of products, as well as third party certification, testing and quality assurance of specific products;
- Outreach and promotional activities to attract investment; and
- Validation of market potential and end-user acceptance, as well as facilitating market-ready knowledge-based products, processes, and services.
Community Development
Strengthen the viability of the local economy, enhance community capacity, and increase the participation of community members. Activities may include:
- Increasing economic opportunities to strengthen the viability of the local economy and ability to respond to challenges; and
- Enhancing skills development to build local/regional workforce capacity.
Innovation Capacity Building
Capacity building in support of commercialization of knowledge-based products, processes and services. Activities may include:
- Acquisition of necessary equipment to engage in applied research and development or in the development of highly qualified personnel;
- Applied research and technology development from proof of concept to validation; and
- Pre-commercialization activities such as triage, patenting, licensing, disclosures, and bundling of technologies; or to develop and demonstrate the potential of research in pre-commercial applications in order to engage commercial partners.
What Costs are Eligible?
Incremental costs that are incurred by the recipient and which are required to achieve the desired outcomes are eligible for consideration and may include:
- Equipment
- Capital improvements
- Supplies
- Marketing/advertising
- Travel
- Other (see Terms and Conditions)
Other Funding Guidelines
Under the WDP, WD may provide non-repayable contributions.
The assessment of the required level of funding will take into consideration all other sources of funding available to the recipient. Projects may vary in duration, ranging from a few months to multiple years.
Successful applicants will be reimbursed for eligible expenses and be required to complete progress reports at key phases of the project, as well as a final project report.
How can I apply?
Applicants are encouraged to apply online.
As an alternative, applicants can access PDF and HTML versions of the form, which can be used to apply by e-mail, mail or fax.
Find out more about the application process for the WDP. You may also contact the WD office nearest you, or call us at 1-888-338-WEST.
