Northern Isolated Community Initiatives Fund (NICI)

Overview:

The Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund supports projects that strengthen local food systems and improve food security across Northern Canada. The program helps businesses, Indigenous communities, and organizations develop innovative and practical solutions that increase local food production, strengthen supply chains, create jobs, and support long-term economic development. Priority is given to projects that address food security in Indigenous communities and other vulnerable populations.

Funding Amount:

Funding varies depending on the project and funding stream.

The NICI Fund is investing nearly $15 million over three years across Northern Canada, including $9 million dedicated to projects in the territories.

Eligibility / Who It’s For:

• Indigenous governments and organizations
• Inuit organizations
• Municipal and territorial governments
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Academic institutions
• Industry associations
• Food and agriculture businesses
• Private sector organizations

Project Examples:

• Local food production initiatives
• Community greenhouses and growing projects
• Food processing and distribution projects
• Food security and food sovereignty initiatives
• Skills training and capacity-building for food producers
• Regional food supply chain development
• Innovative food production technologies
• Community-led food system projects

Province/Scope:

Northern Canada

Including:

• Yukon
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut
• Inuit Nunangat (Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut)