Open, continuous intake Partly repayable

Economic Development Initiative (EDI) in Northern Ontario

by Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Also known as: EDI · Initiative de développement économique

FedNor's EDI funds Francophone economic development in Northern Ontario, up to 90% of project costs (you contribute at least 10%). Eligible: nonprofits, development corporations, French-program post-secondary institutions, and municipalities serving Francophone communities. SMEs cannot apply directly. Youth internships pay up to $35,000/year (max $57,500 over 18 months including ancillary costs), non-repayable. Continuous intake, but budget is limited, call a FedNor officer (1-877-333-6673) first.

Amount: Up to 90% of costs No general per-project maximum published. Internship stream: up to $35,000/year toward salary and benefits for up to 18 months (max $52,500), plus up to $5,000 ancillary costs, $57,500 total maximum. Program budget: $4 million over five years.
fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
FedNor may contribute up to 90 percent to a maximum contribution of $35,000 annually toward the eligible costs of salary and employee benefit expenses
Instrument: Mixed instruments
Status: Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Your share: Applicant contributes a minimum of 10% of project costs; FedNor covers up to 90%.
fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Who qualifies: Businesses Nonprofits and charities Colleges, universities and research institutions Municipalities and local boards
community and economic development corporations
not-for-profit organizations
sectoral associations
post-secondary institutions offering full-time French programs
municipalities serving the Francophone community
Projects must undertake activities in both official languages and/or serve Northern Ontario's Francophone community
SMEs are NOT eligible applicants, businesses benefit indirectly through funded organizations
fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source
Small and medium-sized enterprises are ineligible applicants under the EDI.
Where: Algoma District · Cochrane District · Greater Sudbury (single-tier census division) · Kenora District · Manitoulin District · Nipissing District · Parry Sound District · Rainy River District · Sudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury) · Thunder Bay District · Timiskaming District
11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.
Built for: Nonprofits & charities Municipalities & Local Services Boards

Do you have to pay this back?

Both repayable and non-repayable; contributions are normally repayable where the project generates profits for the applicant. Youth internships are non-repayable.

fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

How conditional contributions and repayable splits work

How do you apply?

Call first. This funder expects contact with a program officer before you apply.

Call 1-877-333-6673 to discuss your project with a FedNor officer BEFORE applying
Submit via the FedNor client portal
Applications assessed continuously as received

fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Common questions

Can my business apply to EDI?

No, FedNor states explicitly that SMEs are ineligible applicants under EDI. Businesses benefit indirectly through funded organizations (e.g., bilingual service development projects, interns placed with cultural enterprises). For direct business funding, look at NODP or NOHFC programs.

Is EDI money repayable?

Both forms exist: contributions are normally repayable where the project generates profits for the applicant; otherwise non-repayable. Youth internships are always non-repayable.

How much can an EDI youth internship cover?

Up to 90% of salary and benefits to a maximum of $35,000 annually, for up to 18 months (max $52,500), plus up to $5,000 in ancillary costs, $57,500 total.

Where else could this money come from?

Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.

Community Futures Program (Northern Ontario) Open, continuous intake
same funder (FedNor); fednor, community economic development — Varies; see program
Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario (CIINO) Open, continuous intake
same funder (FedNor); both for nonprofits & charities and municipalities & local services boards; fednor — Up to $100,000
FedNor, NODP Youth Internships Open, continuous intake
same funder (FedNor); both for nonprofits & charities — Up to $52,500
FedNor, Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) Open, continuous intake
same funder (FedNor); both for nonprofits & charities and municipalities & local services boards — Up to 33% of costs

Guides that cover this program

Notes on this record

EDI internships are a separate stream from FedNor's NODP youth internships (see fednor-youth-internships). All figures verified from official FedNor pages fetched 2026-08-17.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

fednor.canada.ca