Funding Criteria and Application Process

Funding was made available to BCHPA through the BC Investment Agriculture Foundation and Agri-Food Futures Fund for the purpose of the development of a strong and viable beekeeping industry in BC. The BCHPA has established the Beekeeping Industry Development Initiative (BIDI) in order to promote and administer the funds.

The Initiative’s mandate is to represent the industry as a whole and the committee is comprised of members from diverse regions of the province.

Vision and Goals

The BC beekeeping industry, producing pure and healthy products, will remain a viable and sustainable industry by supporting necessary research, increasing awareness of the industry, expanding market avenues and market share, increasing partnerships with other agricultural sectors, ensuring necessary training and education for producers, and increasing the emphasis on communication and cooperation among producers.

The main goals of the BC beekeeping industry are to:

• Enable beekeepers to access training and development expertise
• Increase market share for BC beekeepers in all product categories
• Improve communication and encourage more cooperation among beekeepers
• Demonstrate to both the general public and other segments of the agricultural industry, the economic value and significant contribution of the beekeeping industry to other agricultural industries and the overall provincial economy.
  

Strategic Priorities

As a result of discussions and meetings with industry representatives, the following were determined to be the four key strategic priorities of the Initiative.

1. Research and Disease Prevention
2. Marketing and Quality Guidelines
3. Industry Communication
4. Training and Education

1. The Initiative aims for an overall 50:50 balance between industry contribution and fund contribution. Applicant contributions may include up to 50% “in-kind” (maximum of 25% of total project.)
2. Funding is directed to projects addressing the strategic goals and initiatives identified in the Strategic Plan.
3. Projects must have broad benefits and cannot be proprietary to an individual or single firm. Benefits must outweigh the project costs.
4. Funds cannot be used for direct advertising and promotion of products but can be used to develop broad marketing strategies and plans.
5. Funding is for time limited periods with longer term projects requiring a description of how activities would become self-sufficient.
6. Reasonable and incremental administrative costs clearly incurred in the course of delivering the project may be supported.
7. Funds provided by the federal or provincial governments cannot be used as matching funds against Initiative funds with the exception of funds provided by the Honey Industry Development Fund. 8. Capital costs cannot be funded. Some flexibility is possible for capital items used for demonstration purposes.
9. Expenses for project activities undertaken prior to approval date cannot be claimed.
10. Funds cannot be used for business start-ups or expansions.
11. Core funding of an organization’s ongoing operations are not eligible.
12. Funding cannot be used for lobbying.
13. Projects cannot be contrary to international trade rules.
14. Funding cannot cause damage to others i.e. favouring one group or region over another.

Application Process

If you or your organization have a project that will aid in the development of the beekeeping industry please outline your ideas in a brief Letter of Interest, eligible proposals will then be asked to complete a project application.

Letters of Interest should include:

• Applicant name, address, contact person including phone & email address
• Project objectives
• Brief description of the project approach and activities to be undertaken
• Importance of the project to industry and expected benefits to industry
• Indication of who would manage and deliver the project and how
• Indication of when and for how long the project would run
• Budget estimate and funding sources.

Letters of Interest can be mailed to
Chair
Dave Johnson
Phone: (250) 229-4765
Email: beejohnson(AT)shaw(DOT)ca