Community Development

Funding for Community Action projects is available from the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation (ESIC). The Southwest NB Service Commission has the role of the Community Inclusion Network (CIN) for Southwest New Brunswick and can apply for funding with eligible regional partners for eligible projects and initiatives.

Economic and Social Inclusion Plan (OPT4) has proposed 3 pillars and 16 actions. Community Inclusion Networks can take action in five of the priority measures:

• Increase food security for New Brunswickers (Action 1)
• Increase access to federal and provincial benefits that will enhance income security (Action 7)
• Improve financial literacy (Action 8)
• Coordinate training opportunities that reduce risk of stigmatizing or further traumatizing individuals (Action 14)
• Support Non-Profit & Social Enterprise at the regional level (Action 16).

For more information on eligibility and criteria, review the Guidelines and Criteria.

Grant requests under ESIC’s Community Action funding (2025-2026) will be accepted under the following priorities and project focus:

Priority Action # 1 - Increase Food Security for New Brunswickers

Examples:

• Food Programs and Social Inclusion
• Encourage the coordination of discussions with food support providers
• Creation of a food security network
• Creation of a regional food resilience network, including community gardens and improved food distribution

Priority Action # 7 - Increase access to federal and provincial benefits that will increase income security for New Brunswickers: Awareness of programs and benefits​​​.

Example:

• Informing the population about existing programs

Priority Action # 8 - Improve Financial Literacy

Examples:

• Increase economic education
• Improve citizens' financial autonomy
• Access to training

Priority Action #14 - Coordinate training opportunities that reduce the risk of stigmatizing or further traumatizing individuals.

Examples:

• Awareness activities
• Development of anti-stigma initiatives related to public health and community safety
• Create initiatives to combat stigma

Priority Action #16 - Support Non-Profit & Social Enterprise at the regional level.

Examples:

• Hosting a symposium that brings together the sector with workshops on various challenges
• Offering training on social enterprise
• Organizing workshops for the nonprofit sector
• Developing a strategy or campaign to increase volunteerism

These are just some examples of activities that may be eligible for funding. Contact us to discuss your project's eligibility. For more information on eligibility and criteria, review the Guidelines and Criteria.

ESIC will fund projects based on the following criteria:

*Note that every criteria below must be met in order for the project to qualify.

• Added value – Leverage of community resources with multiple benefits across themes/actions.
• Promotion of regional community development.
• Capacity/skill building of participants.
• Mobilization of the community (demonstrates other partnerships than just with ESIC).
• Focus on people in low income.
• Measurable impact on people living in poverty.

All projects must:

• Align with the priority actions of the provincial plan, Overcoming Poverty Together 4.
• Align with the Community Transportation Eligibility Criteria for Priority Measure No. 2.
• Demonstrate capacity building and regional community development.
• Be inclusive: include persons on low income.
• Be asset-based: project ideas are initiated, planned, supported and implemented either by the community and supported by their regional CIN, or by the CIN itself.
• Demonstrate community contributions (financial, in-kind or volunteer).
• Include a detailed and balanced budget.

For more information on eligibility and criteria, review the Guidelines and Criteria and contact us.

Organizations eligible to apply include non-profits, charities, municipalities, and community groups in Southwest NB.

NOTE: We will only be receiving one-pagers and applications from eligible organizations within the regional boundaries of the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission. To inquire about funding in another region, please refer to this list of regional Community Inclusion Networks.

The first round for the 2026-2027 Community Action Funding applications is open from April 1 until May 6, 2026. Inquiries and one-pagers will be welcome from non-profits, charities, municipalities and community groups from across the Southwest region.

We ask for one-pagers before a full application for a project. This ensures that projects are well considered and on track with priority areas, amount requests, and have the best possible prospect of success for funding from ESIC.

A total of $50,000 is available to our region each fiscal year. This is distributed between the priority actions and eligible projects. Projects must demonstrate other community contributions (financial, in-kind and volunteer). Every effort will be made to leverage funding in a fair and equal way for all selected applications. 

Please note: While every effort is made to be fair, limited funds available each year means not every application will be successful. However we are always available to discuss other possible funding opportunities for projects.

Funding for Community Action projects comes from the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation (ESIC). The Southwest NB Service Commission acts as the region's Community Inclusion Network (CIN) with ESIC to disperse the funding in the Southwest region.