The Co-operative Development Initiative

1 Mar 2010

When I last wrote about the Co-op Development Initiative, I mentioned our great pleasure at the Initiative's four-year renewal by the federal government. This $19.1 million contribution to the Canadian co-op sector is invaluable - it allows, for example, BCCA's Advisory Service program for emerging co-ops to continue; and, through the Innovative Co-operative Program (ICP) component of the CDI, it provides substantial, multi-year grants to more established co-ops.

BCCA had expected to be able to profile some of the successful ICP applicants in this issue of the Co-op Perspective. Although the 54 successful co-ops have received notice directly from the Minister, and some have signed contribution agreements, public acknowledgement must wait for formal announcements from Minister Blackburn. We expect these announcements to be made by the Minister at a series of press conferences, in several regions of the country, including British Columbia, between now and the end of March. Until then, little more can be said. We can, however, point to a success rate in the July 31 ICP competition of about 28%.

We can also share with you that the December 31, 2009, CDI deadline produced a total of 105 applications, a substantial number, but down from the previous 194. Again, applications from BC were well represented among the total - Quebec submitted the greatest number, at 30; BC, with 19 submissions, traded its previous second place with Ontario, which has 22. With about 18% of the total however, BC is still over-represented on a per capita basis. The co-ops applying have a rich range of projects in mind - from urban health service co-ops to big-scale ski hill initiatives, and from enhancements to the economic base of intentional communities in the countryside to seeding a new shellfish industry among Aboriginal communities on the BC coast.

How do things stand with the current round of ICP evaluations?

The evaluation ICP process is moving along smoothly. Every effort is being made by the Ottawa team to streamline the process: staff are now reviewing the submissions, the reviewed files will be considered by the program's external Adjudication Committee in early March; and formal approval by the Minister is expected by the end of April. We wish all applicants good luck.

Much more about the CDI can be found on our website (www.bcca.coop) and on the newly expanded website of the Canadian Cooperative Association at http://cccm.coopscanada.coop/en. There, you will find revised application forms, an applicant's guide and other useful documents, all available for immediate download. The next ICP deadline is likely to be around July 31, 2010, but the precise date is still to be clarified. Thankfully, we have been assured by our colleagues in Ottawa that there will never again be a grant deadline on New Year's Eve!

As with the first two rounds, BCCA will be able to offer, at no cost, a review service to BC applicants. Details on this service, along with other current news, will be posted on the BCCA website.

BCCA's Advisory Services Program

The Advisory Services program is intended to assist start-up co-ops to make sense of the basic issues that must be engaged with as the vision of the group takes shape on its way to becoming a reality. Because BCCA staff don't have the time needed to deal with all enquiries, we work closely with a group of co-op developers and often match co-op proponents with a consultant who may be based in Vancouver or, more conveniently, in a community closer to the co-op's location.  

BCCA's advisory service provides up to two hours of consulting time - at no cost to the group members! - and assists emerging co-ops through the sequence of steps leading to incorporation and launch of the business. During the last twelve months, well over 100 groups have been assisted.

If you are interested in this service, or know of people who might be, all you have to do is get in touch with the office by phone or e-mail. We can get the consulting process going very quickly.

Rick Marcuse

Category: Government