Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) recently launched Inter-Action, Canada’s new Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program. The Program supports both CIC’s mandate and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act by assisting the socio-economic integration of individuals and communities and building a socially cohesive society.

There are two Inter-Action funding streams: Projects and Events.

I. The Inter-Action Projects

Inter-Action Projects stream provides funding for long-term, multi-year community development/engagement projects to promote integration. Applications are usually considered during a Call for Proposals (CFP) process.

Starting June 27, 2010 and until October 15, 2010, CIC is calling for proposals that support one or more of the following Program objectives:

1.      Building an integrated, socially cohesive society.
2.      Improving the responsiveness of institutions to the needs of a diverse population by:
3.      Actively engaging in discussions on multiculturalism and diversity at the international level.

For this particular Call for Proposals, priority will be given to project proposals which involve one or more of the following groups as primary beneficiaries:

a)    youth
b)    youth-at-risk
c)    faith communities/organizations
d)    immigrants

and/or which focus on one or both of the following themes:

a)     citizenship rights and responsibilities
b)    facilitating positive interaction among different cultural, ethnic and religious communities in Canada.

II. Inter-Action Events

Inter-Action’s Events stream provides funding to community based events that foster intercultural/interfaith understanding, civic memory and pride and/or respect for core democratic values. The primary intention is to create concrete opportunities for interaction among cultural and faith communities.

Events should be intended for and open to all Canadians, and promote “Building an integrated, socially cohesive society.” Some examples of eligible types of events are:

• community-based celebrations (intended for and open to all Canadians) of the historic contributions to Canada of particular ethnic, cultural or religious groups, including celebrations in support of initiatives such as Asian Heritage Month and Black History Month
• a “citizenship day” event for young people, organized by a coalition of faith, ethnic or cultural groups
• musical events that bridge ethnic, cultural or religious communities
• a sports activity involving members of various ethnic, cultural or religious communities
• interfaith dialogues that bring together representatives from Canada’s faith groups
• intercultural dialogues sharing cultural heritage, traditions, and viewpoints
• public education events that foster intercultural/interfaith understanding, civic memory and pride and/or respect for core democratic values.

Events that are primarily of a political, commercial or private nature are not eligible for funding, nor are events that are primarily designed as religious observances. Events eligible for funding must not have a total cash value of more than $50,000.

Funding will be in the form of a grant of up to 50% of the total cash expenses of the event but will not exceed $15,000. Applications will be considered year round.

For more information, application guidelines and general application forms, please consult the CIC website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/funding/index.asp

If you have questions about anything on the website, please contact CIC’s Multiculturalism Program in Calgary at: CIC-CalgaryMulti@cic.gc.ca

Note that you are encouraged to contact your local office prior to formal submission of your application package. Once submitted there will be limited opportunity to make additions or amendments.