Regional Development Fund — Community Capacity Building

Strong local economies depend on organizations that can plan effectively, collaborate across sectors, and turn ideas into action. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Regional Development Fund — Community Capacity Building helps community-based economic development groups strengthen the skills and structures they need to support business growth and regional development. Delivered by the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, this funding is geared toward building long-term capacity rather than financing one-off projects.

The program supports activities that improve how organizations plan, manage, and deliver economic development initiatives. This can include strategic and business planning sessions, proposal and project management training, leadership development, financial management, and collaboration-focused workshops. Funding is non-repayable and typically offsets a portion of eligible costs, with support reaching up to about $10,000 annually for province-wide organizations and lower amounts for regional groups. Rather than funding operations, the focus is on helping organizations become stronger partners in regional economic development and better equipped to work with businesses, municipalities, and industry stakeholders.

Because applications are generally accepted on an ongoing basis and the scope of supported activities is broad, this program can be a useful tool for organizations looking to build internal expertise or foster stronger regional partnerships. Reviewing the full program details can help determine how this funding fits with your organization’s economic development goals.