Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund

Overview of the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund program:

Administered in Quebec by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the NICI Fund is part of a broader national initiative under the federal Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor). The program is designed to help Indigenous and northern communities in Quebec—especially those that are isolated or remote—implement community-led projects that promote long-term economic development, improve access to nutritious food, and foster local resilience. The fund focuses on building self-sufficiency and sustainability by supporting the establishment or expansion of community-owned and operated initiatives. These may include food production and distribution projects, local supply chain improvements, infrastructure development, and innovative solutions to reduce dependency on costly imports and improve overall well-being. Projects funded through NICI must be community-led and must demonstrate a clear benefit to the local population, particularly in terms of job creation, skills development, and access to essential services like food. The initiative encourages collaboration among Indigenous governments, non-profit organisations, and community groups, while also fostering traditional knowledge, sustainable practices, and local leadership. The NICI Fund aligns with Canada's commitment to reconciliation, regional equity, and Indigenous economic participation, and contributes directly to improving living conditions in underserved areas of northern Quebec.

Benefits of the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund program:

• Supports food security initiatives in remote Indigenous and northern communities
• Promotes community-led economic development
• Helps create local jobs, build infrastructure, and strengthen supply chains
• Encourages traditional knowledge, sustainability, and local leadership
• Reduces reliance on expensive imported goods
• Fosters community ownership and resilience
• Contributes to reconciliation and inclusive economic participation
• Enhances local access to affordable, nutritious food and essential services

Eligibility criteria of the Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund program:

• To qualify for NICI funding, applicants must meet the following:
• Location: Be located in or directly serve northern and isolated communities in Quebec
• Eligible Applicants:
• Indigenous governments and organisations
• Non-profit organisations
• Community groups leading local development projects
• Eligible Projects:
• Food production (e.g. greenhouses, community gardens, aquaponics)
• Food distribution infrastructure (e.g. cold storage, delivery logistics)
• Local entrepreneurship or skills training
• Infrastructure or technology that supports food access and economic participation
• Project Requirements:
• Must be community-led
• Must show tangible benefits to residents, including economic and social impacts
• Must align with principles of sustainability, inclusiveness, and reconciliation