The next deadline for Expressions of Interest is
4:00 pm on Friday, September 24, 2010.

The West Coast Community Adjustment Program (WCCAP) is a federal initiative aimed at fostering increased economic activity and improving the quality of life in British Columbia's fishing-dependant coastal communities.  Its goal is to encourage long-term, sustainable economic development and diversification in these coastal communities in order to diversify local economies, facilitate economic adjustment and enable collaboration and partnerships leading to enterprise opportunities.

Western Economic Diversification Canada will work jointly with the Fisheries Legacy Trust, comprised of the thirteen west coast Community Futures offices, to invest more than seven million dollars in coastal BC Communities outside the Greater Vancouver Regional District that have been negatively impacted by changes to the coastal fishery.

Eligible applicants/project proponents must be located in a fishing-dependant coastal community and be a registered or incorporated, not-for-profit entity.  A maximum of $250,000 may be contributed towards each eligible project, to a maximum of 60% of assisted project costs.  All projects must:

• help diversify the local economy without adversely affecting the economies or neighbouring communities;
• have tangible long-term direct economic benefits including employment creation or enhancement, incremental income or businesses and government revenues within an identifiable time frame;
• focus on long-term benefits that lead to sustainable development within the region;
• have broad, demonstrated community support and be consistent with the communities' Community Economic Development strategy;
• leverage other private and public program funding;
• not request funding for activities which can be covered by existing programs;
• be environmentally sound and not increase pressure on marine resources;
• demonstrate that infrasructure projects will lead to realization of an economic development opportunity.

For more information, or to apply for WCCAP funding, please email us or phone us at 250-746-1004.  Download a copy of the Initial Application form and the WCCAP Expression of Interest Guidelines and Eligibility Criteria.   The next deadline for Expressions of Interest is 4:00 pm on Friday, September 24, 2010.  EOIs received after that deadline will be held until the following intake for WCCAP funding, should there be another intake.

Additonal information can also be found at the WCCAP website.