Co-operative Development Initiative
The Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI) is a federally fundedprogram to promote the development of new co-operatives across Canada.It is a national partnership between the Co-operatives Secretariat ofthe Government of Canada and the Canadian co-operative movement.
The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil Canadien deal Cooperation (CCC) jointly deliver the services provided through theCDI, in collaboration with regional co-operative organizations like theB.C. Co-operative Association.
The CDI has two main components:
Advisory Services to provide expert assistance to groups who want to start new co-ops orwho need help managing existing ones. BCCA co-ordinates these servicesin B.C.
Contact BCCA at murray
bcca.coop to arrange for a advisory session with a coop developer.
Innovation Co-operative Project grants (ICP) to study and demonstrate how co-ops can be used successfully in new andinnovative ways, with emphasis on six federal priority areas:
- Adding value to agriculture
- Access to health and home care
- Economic development in rural, remote, or Northern communities
- Development of Aboriginal communities
Innovative Co-operative Projects will test anddemonstrate innovative uses of the co-op model. Projects might beinnovative by operating in an area new to co-ops or through innovativefinancing, delivery, or partnership arrangements. An existing co-opmight see an opportunity to expand its role to take advantage of newopportunities or to adapt its operations to a new region.
Information about Innovation Co-operative Project Grants from CDI is available from the Canadian Co-operative Association's website: http://www.coopscanada.coop/en/coopdev/CDI
