Small Business Support Program – Sustainable Livelihood
The Sustainable Livelihood Fund provides access to small-scale contributions for tools, equipment and other expenses necessary for operation in the small business, arts and crafts, community-based tourism, and traditional economy sectors. The purpose of the program is to support small businesses, which employ others, self-employed entrepreneurs, arts and crafts producers, or commercial renewable resource harvesters.
Offered by Ministry of Economic Development and Transportation
Amount
Maximum assistance of $10,000 for the lifetime of the applicant, or $5,000 per application; the per-application limit may be increased where exceptional need can be demonstrated
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Small Businesses, self-employed entrepreneurs, outfitters, guides, adventure tour operators, arts and crafts producers, or commercial renewable resource harvesters.
Nunavut Small Business
A Nunavut small business includes any of the following:
fewer than 10 employees.
The Nunavut-based individual or business in a joint-venture or partnership of a corporation.
Artist, craftsperson or performing artist who makes all or part of their income through the sale of products they produce or plan to produce.
Renewable resource harvester who earns part or all of their income from the sale of renewable resource products they harvest, or plan to harvest from available commercial quotas, agriculture, or similar sources.
About the funding
Maximum assistance available is $10,000 for the lifetime of the applicant, or $5,000 per application. Where exceptional need can be demonstrated, the limit per application may be increased.
Payments will be issued in installments, as outlined in the terms of the Contribution Agreement.
Contributions are normally once per fiscal year only, with a reporting period from April 1st
to March 31st of each government fiscal year. The department may conditionally approve multi-year projects, subject to availability of funds in subsequent years.
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Financial assistance will be limited to the following eligible items:
Assistance in overcoming immediate problems involving legal or accounting expenses or to assist with required minor capital expenditures or extraordinary costs which, if not provided, may threaten the continued viability of the business. Minor capital items may also be funded where required and beneficial and where other sources of funding are unavailable.
Assistance to arts and crafts producers and renewable resource harvesters for the purchase of tools and equipment to assist them in increasing their level or quality of production and income or defraying overall costs of operation.
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