Capacity Building Fund

Background on Aboriginal Justice Strategy

The Aboriginal Justice Strategy (AJS) enables Aboriginal communities to have increased involvement in the local administration of justice and, as such, provides timely and effective alternatives to mainstream justice processes in appropriate circumstances. AJS programs are also aimed at reducing the rates of victimization, crime and incarceration among Aboriginal people in communities operating AJS programs, and helping the mainstream justice system become more responsive and sensitive to the needs and culture of Aboriginal communities.

Objectives of the Capacity Building Fund

The Capacity-Building Fund is designed to support capacity-building efforts in Aboriginal communities, particularly as they relate to building increased knowledge and skills for the establishment and management of community-based justice programs.

Eligible Activities

Activities eligible for funding support may include:

• Training and/or developmental needs of Aboriginal communities that currently do not have community-based justice programs;
• On-going training needs of current community-based justice programs, including supporting evaluation activities, data collection, sharing of best practices and useful models, where the cost-shared budget does not adequately meet these needs;
• Activities targeted at improved community reporting in AJS communities and the development of data management systems;
• Development of new justice programs, paying particular attention to:
  • The current geographic/regional imbalance in programming;
  • The commitment to develop new programs in the under-represented program models, such as dispute resolution for civil and family/child welfare; and,
• One-time or annual events and initiatives that build bridges, trust and partnerships between the mainstream justice system and Aboriginal communities.

Eligible Applicants

Any of the following may be eligible for contribution funding under the Capacity-Building Fund:

• bands, First Nations, Tribal Councils, local, regional and national Aboriginal organizations;
• agencies and institutions of regional/municipal governments;
• non-profit community organizations, societies, and associations that have voluntarily formed for a non-profit purpose;
• provincial and territorial governments;
• individuals; and,
• for-profit corporations, so long as these corporations will not make a profit on the work performed.

Available Funding

Capacity-building funding is limited and potential applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the Aboriginal Justice Directorate to discuss project ideas prior to preparing a proposal. Since funding is limited, not all eligible projects will be funded. Capacity-building funding is considered to be one-time funding only and proposed projects must be completed by March 31, 2010.

How to Apply

Please refer to the AJS website for additional information.

How to contact us:

The Aboriginal Justice Strategy
The Aboriginal Justice Directorate
Department of Justice
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8

Tel: 1-866-442-4468 (toll-free)
Fax: (613) 957-4697
ajs-sja@justice.gc.ca
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/ajs-sja/index.html