First Nation-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative

The call for applications for Phase 3 is now closed.

In this phase, we will welcome eight new First Nation – municipal partnerships from across Canada. To ensure a wide representation, we are piloting a new regional approach starting in British Columbia and Quebec, where we hope to select two partnerships in each of these provinces.

For Phase 3, we are offering two streams: a three-year standard participation and a two-year accelerated option. 

Please note that partnerships will issue their own announcements when it best suits their communities. We look forward to sharing and amplifying those releases through our usual channels and updating this page with the names of the latest participants when those announcements have been made. 

Why CEDI?

Many municipalities and First Nations want to collaborate as neighbours, but they don’t always know where to begin. The CEDI program, implemented in partnership with Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando), supports neighbouring First Nations and municipalities to develop capacity to and implement long-term joint planning for community economic development initiatives and land use, while building respectful and sustainable government-to-government partnerships.

Since 2013, CEDI has helped municipalities and First Nations develop partnerships that establish and support their mutually beneficial economic development. They help coordinate local action to address regional issues and build a more sustainable economy for all.

Our solid partnership with Cando will provide the opportunity to innovate this program in the years to come as we keep working on the long road of Reconciliation together.

For a better understanding of how CEDI works, watch this short video (Transcript).

For examples of CEDI's tangible impacts, see this 2-page infographic.

Read the executive summary of our Phase 2 Impact Report.

This initiative is implemented jointly with Cando (Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and funded by Indigenous Services Canada.

Photo: City of Vernon/Sproing Creative