STRATEGIC COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROJECTS (SCEP) October 23, 2013
How it works The SCEP program will fund projects that: Help youth facing multiple barriers gain entrepreneurship skills and launch a small business or self-employment venture Fill the gap for youth interested in starting their own business but are excluded from participating in other self-employment programs or require additional support outside of the Youth Jobs Strategy programs offered by the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs Engage Not-For-Profit organizations working in high-needs communities and/or with vulnerable populations in the development of entrepreneurial employment opportunities Increase the number of Ontario youth creating jobs through self-employment or small business ownership End Goal: approximately 400 youth participate leading to 180 jobs 2
Youth Participants Youth Facing Multiple Barriers: Youth from a High-Needs Community and/or Vulnerable Population Youth: Ontario residents between the ages of 15 and 29 who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and not enrolled as full-time students High-Needs Community: Geographic locations with the following characteristics: high rates of youth unemployment; unique requirements for improving youth employability; limited community resources; and/or limited opportunities to attract industry and other partners. This may include: Aboriginal communities Northern communities Small communities (a municipality with a population less than 20,000 or population density of less than 100 persons per square kilometre) Urban neighbourhoods with a high concentration of a vulnerable population Vulnerable Population: A demographic group that faces challenges to participating in employment. This includes: Aboriginal Youth Newcomer Youth Racialized Youth Youth in care Youth in, or at risk of, conflict with the law Youth in poverty or from low income families Youth with disabilities and special needs 3
Who is Eligible to Apply? Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit organizations, in operation for a minimum of three years, working in a high-needs community and/or have experience working with a vulnerable population. This may include, but not limited to: Community organizations Youth organizations Supporting agencies Registered charities Aboriginal organizations The following organizations are not eligible for funding under SCEP: for-profit companies funding foundations Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) and other members of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs Individuals 4
Project Requirements Specialized Mentorship Applicants to propose projects that provide youth with opportunities to develop entrepreneurship skills that will allow them to start a small business or self-employment venture Training Program Wrap-Around Support Micro- Financing All projects must include a Training Program Projects may also include: Specialized Mentorship, Wrap-Around Support and/or Micro-Financing Projects including Micro-Financing: Maximum grant of $3000 Grant to be paid out in a minimum of two installments Final holdback payment not less than 25% Grant to be reviewed and approved by a grant committee set up by the applicant 5
Project Requirements Continued Applicants are encouraged to partner with other organizations to deliver the selected components Training Program Specialized Mentorship Wrap-Around Support Projects will be expected to set performance targets for the following key outcomes: Number of youth participating Number of youth commencing self employment on a part-time and full-time basis Number of revenue generating businesses created Number of jobs created Micro- Financing Projects to demonstrate methods of connecting participants to complementary programming to enable youth success during and after the project Project duration is up to one year and all projects must end by January 31, 2016. 6
Funding Funding will be provided in the form a grant based upon eligible cash expenditures. The Ministry contribution will be based on applicant need as demonstrated by the project s: Scope Number of components Audience Size, demographic and geographic reach Anticipated Ministry contribution is up to $200,000 per project With sufficient rationale, the Ministry may approve a higher contribution amount for larger community projects or those that include multiple communities All projects must meet the minimum guidelines below*: Duration Up to one year a minimum cash contribution of 10% of eligible project expenses total administration costs must not exceed 10% of the total project budget no combining/ stacking of provincial funding for project costs *Projects that do not meet the minimum cash contribution may be considered with sufficient rationale. 7
How to Apply - Application and Approval Process Applications will be accepted on a continuous intake basis and will be evaluated in one of five periods Each application will receive a notification of receipt within five business days of submission Each application will receive confirmation of eligibility within two weeks of submission Project Launch Submission Deadline Notification of Receipt Applications will be reviewed by a multiphased process that will involve interministerial and youth representatives Legal Agreement Confirmation of Eligibility Eligible applications will receive a funding decision within eight weeks of a submission deadline Successful applicants will enter into a funding agreement with the Ministry Decision Deadline Application Review 8
How to Apply - Timelines Eligible applications will be evaluated and approved in one of five periods: Submission Deadline Decision Deadline November 15, 2013 January 17, 2014 January 17, 2014 March 14, 2014 May 2, 2014 June 27, 2014 September 5, 2014 October 31, 2014 November 21, 2014 January 24, 2015 Applications must be received by 4:00PM (EST) on or before the submission deadline Applications received after one submission deadline will be evaluated at the next Organizations not approved for funding are entitled to a de-brief conference call with the Ministry and may re-submit a proposal subject to funding availability 9
Selection Criteria Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria will be evaluated based on the following: Project s alignment with SCEP objectives Ability to engage youth (15-29) facing multiple barriers to employment Ability to create jobs for youth facing multiple barriers through self-employment or small business ownership Applicant s capacity to deliver the project History of youth outreach and engagement Has, or access to, entrepreneurship expertise and/or business start-up knowledge Has or access to, grant management and fund administration experience (micro-financing) Ability to meet project s performance targets Staff/management capacity and governance Project Content Description of project components, milestones and timelines Marketing and outreach strategy Transition support for participants Other evaluation criteria Partnerships Risk Management Value for money Clarity of the project proposal 10
Where to Find and Submit an Application SCEP guidelines and application form: https://www.ontario.ca/jobs-andemployment/entrepreneurship-programs-vulnerable-youth Submit one application electronically to scep@ontario.ca and mail two signed hard copy versions to: Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment Entrepreneurship Branch - Youth Partnerships 56 Wellesley Street West, 5th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2E7 Attention: Strategic Community Entrepreneurship Projects Thank You and Good Luck! 11