AAROM - Statement of Interest - Capacity Building

Table of Contents

A. Applicant Eligibility Information
B. Project Proposal
C. Signatures

Purpose

The Capacity Building (CB) Statement of Interest (SOI) will be used to determine the eligibility of applicants for participation in the CB component of the AAROM Program.

Program Highlights

The AAROM Program will apply in areas where DFO manages the fishery, and with Aboriginal groups that have not yet signed a comprehensive land claims agreement that addresses the matters under AAROM. Where the Aboriginal group has signed a comprehensive land claims agreement, and one or more of the matters covered by the AAROM Program are not dealt with in the agreement, the group would be eligible to apply for support in those matters not covered in the agreement.

The CB component of the AAROM Program is intended to support qualifying Aboriginal groups in the developmental phases of the AAROM Program. Activities undertaken as part of this sub-component of AAROM should be directly aligned to meeting the programming criteria for the Collaborative Management (CM) component of AAROM (please see AAROM CM application template for more information and details).   Groups may also request limited capacity development support to access the necessary expertise required to assist them in the execution of these tasks and ensure that an appropriate foundation for watershed/ecosystem-based management has been established. The documentation developed through these exercises will assist groups in the formulation of proposals for application to the AAROM CM component.

DFO recognizes that different groups are at different stages of development. However, as groups will be assessed upon achievements of results in relation to planned activities (using performance-based evaluation criteria), only actual planned activities - to be managed within appropriate set timeframes - need be referenced at this stage. The latter assessment will assist DFO in determining the level of readiness and eligibility of groups for participation in AAROM CM. Additional opportunities for the continuation of CB sub-activities not covered in the existing SOI may be offered in future under a separate application should eligible groups wish to defer the pursuit of those activities to a later/more appropriate time.

Getting the Support You Need

Each application must be sponsored by a regional representative having sufficient knowledge of the applicant(s). Dedicated DFO staff in the regions have been assigned to provide guidance and assistance to groups in the development of their SOIs. Officers will be available to review and discuss the information provided in SOIs with applicants prior to the submission of their SOIs for formal regional and national consideration. Please contact the respective official(s) in your region:

Newfoundland & Labrador	Maritimes
Patricia Williams Resource Manager Aboriginal Programs and Relations Resource Management Fisheries and Oceans Canada Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre 80 East White Hills PO Box 5667 St John's, NL  A1C 5X1 Telephone: 709-772-3732 Fax: 709-772-3628 E-mail: Patricia.Williams@dfo-mpo.gc.ca	Tom Howe Co-Management Development Officer Aboriginal Fisheries Branch Fisheries and Oceans Canada Marine House - Floor: Basement PO Box 1035 Dartmouth, NS  B2Y 4T3 Telephone: 902-426-6036 Fax: 902-426-1484 E-mail: Tom.Howe@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Gulf	Quebec
Tracey Isaac-Mann Crosby Co-Management Development Officer Aboriginal Fisheries Fisheries and Oceans Canada GFC - Room: 461 Gulf Fisheries Centre 343 Université Avenue PO Box 5030 Moncton, NB    E1C 9B6 Telephone: 506-851-7785 Fax: 506-851-7803 E-mail: Tracey.IsaacMannCrosby@dfo-mpo.gc.ca	Robert Fibich Coordinator Aboriginal Fisheries Division Fisheries and Oceans Canada 104 Dalhousie Street Québec, QC    G1K 7Y7 Telephone: 418-648-4566 Fax: 418-648-7981 E-mail: Robert.Fibich@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Central & Arctic	Pacific
Anna Ryan Fishery Management Coordinator Resource Management and Aboriginal Affairs Fisheries and Oceans Canada 501 University Crescent Winnipeg, Manitoba    R3T 2N6 Telephone: 204-983-8958 Fax: 204-984-3073 E-mail: Anna.Ryan@dfo-mpo.gc.ca	Todd Johansson  Regional Negotiator Treaty and Aboriginal Policy Directorate Fisheries and Oceans Canada Suite 200 401 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC    V6C 3S4 Telephone: 604-666-7998 E-mail: Todd.Johansson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Formal Assessment Process

Once assessed for quality and completeness (e.g., having the required signatures, etc.), regional representatives will forward the completed SOI(s) to his/her respective DFO regional review committee responsible for providing an appropriate level of oversight and coordination. Applications may be subject to further amendment following this initial screening phase. Approved SOI applications will then be submitted for formal review and assessment by a National DFO Program Implementation Steering Committee. Applications will be assessed against overall program objectives and criteria. Once a decision has been taken, applicants will be formally apprised of the status of their applications in writing.

Using this Template

There are three major sections to this template:  A) Applicant Eligibility Information; B) Project Proposal; C) Signatures. A Supporting Statement is also provided as an Appendix. The template can serve as a guide to applicants in structuring their SOI applications. Within your respective SOIs, this same division should be made apparent to the reader/reviewer in order to ensure a proper assessment is conducted. Supporting documentation may also be provided as an attachment.

A. Applicant Eligibility Information

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility requirements of the Program. Applicants should also be aware that associated contribution agreements will be subject to groups maintaining their eligibility status throughout the duration of the agreement.

Who is applying? 

Please provide the following:

[Note: the recipient organization is the lead organization responsible for receiving and managing the funds under a possible future agreement; the organization must be a legal entity.]

Recipient Organization:

Mailing Address
Tel No(s):
Facsimile No(s):
E-mail Address(es):

Lead Contact(s):

Mailing Address (if different from above):
Tel No(s):
Facsimile No(s):
E-mail Address(es):

Alternate(s)

Mailing Address (if different from above)
Tel No(s):
Facsimile No(s):
E-mail Address(es):

Member Communities and Affiliated Aboriginal Groups: at this junction, a reasonable representation of Aboriginal groups/First Nations residing in the intended management area must be demonstrated but with the expectation of attaining majority representation within prescribed timelines

Please provide details on the following:

• Cultural / historical significance of group
• Role or mandate of lead (recipient) organization
• List of Aboriginal communities/groups signatory to this SOI
• Objectives for expansion of membership to other Aboriginal communities
• Approximate resident population of signatory communities/groups (per unit, if available)
• Level of Aboriginal representation on watershed/ecosystem

Geographic Parameters:  management area must be defined along broad watershed/ ecosystem lines and be of sufficient scope to demonstrate potential for economies of scale 

Please provide details on the following:

• Province
• Region
• Targeted watershed(s) / ecosystem(s)
• Approximate geographic size (sq.km.) of watershed(s) / ecosystem(s)
• Description of management area(s) and relative importance to group
• Distinctive ecosystem factors
• Supporting map/documentation

Reporting History:  where applicable, applicants will need to demonstrate a suitable track record of complying with federal reporting requirements in this area (financial or other)

Please provide details on the following:

• Historical trends in and existing financial and administrative reporting relationship with DFO (if applicable)
• Current in-house reporting/agreement management capacity (administrative infrastructure)
• Ability to manage financial risks
• Planned and existing mechanisms for reporting activities and results to community members
• Summary of recent audits and results (if applicable) and corrective measures implemented
• Supporting references to prior development / use of audit and evaluation frameworks, if any

Commitment to Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use:  applicants must be able to demonstrate some commitment to conservation and sustainable development based on prior history and, where applicable, provide current or recent documentation to support this

Please provide details on the following:

• Scope of involvement in aquatic management activities (historic/current)
• Initiation of recent innovations or creative developments supporting conservation
• Existing fish/watershed/ecosystem management plans
• Involvement and trends in enforcement (surveillance, compliance and protection)
• Conservation statement (draft or approved) governing affiliated member communities/groups

Notes:

 

B. Project Proposal

Proposed Objectives, Mandate and Functions

Proposed Objectives	Project description(s) and funds requested:
A. Facilitating Dialogue on AAROM Among Member Communities Groups may receive funding for activities including: meetings and workshops supporting dialogue among potential groups to ascertain their interest in being part of an AAROM body;   accessing facilitators and similar expertise to support and enhance that dialogue;   research, preparation and dissemination of issue/position papers; and   related communications, printing and dissemination costs.	[Some of the expenditures related to this activity may be linked to other categories listed below. However, in some cases, the initiation of dialogue among groups may be the sole or primary activity undertaken by a potential organization (AAROM body) to introduce the concept of AAROM to their potential membership and to initiate preparations for subsequent developmental activities (as outlined in categories B-E). In those cases, funding requests should be limited to Activity Category A.]
B. Strategic and Community-Based Planning Groups may receive funding for strategic and community-based planning exercises including: the organization and facilitation of meetings;   accessing skilled personnel;   development of documentation related to the attainment of AAROM Collaborative Management (CM) eligibility criteria (see separate CM SOI);   enabling exchanges between DFO and/or among Aboriginal groups to share expertise, best practices, knowledge and information;   related communications and printing costs	[This may be the first opportunity that some groups will have had to undertake this type of dialogue/ work. Activities that fall under this category may be ongoing, beyond 2004-05, for some groups. Focus should be on addressing immediate needs to enable the organization (potential AAROM body) to develop a formal AAROM CM proposal in the short term. Of note, the ability of a group to achieve consensus in identified areas will assist the organization in demonstrating its potential for success in a future AAROM CM proposal.]
C. Capacity Assessments and Feasibility Studies Groups may receive funding for capacity assessments and feasibility studies that involve or pursue: a better understanding of the specific management and governance capacities of various Aboriginal groups, communities, and organisations and how they link, or could be linked in the future to existing fisheries-related management structures and processes;   research related to aquatic and oceans resources, and their supporting habitats;   a review of gaps and needs that suggest priority areas for funding support.	[Some groups may wish to defer this activity to a future year agreement due to lack of readiness of groups to undertake this type of study at this time; alternatively the application could extend to more than one fiscal year.]
D. Capacity Development Groups may receive funding for capacity development activities that include: accessing skilled personnel (professional and technical expertise)  to support the effective engagement of member communities in discussions related to the operationalization of a future AAROM structure or proposal;   undertaking administrative, financial and legal preparations for the establishment of an AAROM body;   putting in place an interim management infrastructure (e.g., AAROM coordinator plus administrative support, etc.) to oversee the coordination of efforts over a specified term consistent with the agreement period;   technical assistance that would enable groups to meet the programming criteria for the AAROM CM element (e.g., addressing interim capacity shortfalls in key areas of operational or financial management);   addressing coordination and facilitation needs to support the effective engagement of member communities in discussions related to the operationalization of a future AAROM structure or proposal; and   preliminary preparations for the negotiation of AAROM agreements.	[Objective is to allow the organization (potential AAROM body) to access expertise in some or either of the following key areas, e.g.,: community development and leadership;   management and administration (business/ management);   facilitation and negotiation;   financial and reporting systems management and development;   fisheries management;   science;   aquaculture;   oceans and marine use planning;   scientific research and planning;   stewardship and habitat protection. Ongoing needs (beyond the duration of the Capacity Building agreement) would be reflected in a future AAROM Capacity Building or Collaborative Management proposal.]
E. Business Planning Groups may receive funding for business plan preparation in relation to potential AAROM-related economic opportunities including: accessing skilled personnel in support of internal business planning processes;      the organization and facilitation of meetings; and   related communications and printing costs.	[Should identify long-term community development needs and opportunities, and not necessarily be restricted to fisheries/aquaculture. Could target other government programming (as reference only) in addition to DFO component highlighting opportunities for shared project funding. Again, may be too early for some groups to undertake this exercise. May be included as a component of a subsequent or follow-up AAROM CB proposal.]
Total Amount Requested*

*Amounts may require adjustment based on availability of funds and relative capacity of groups.

C. Signatures

Declaration (Each Applicant must sign and date this statement of Interest. - Applicants must be mandated as representatives of their communities)

Aboriginal Group

Representative (Please Print)

Signature

Date

Supporting Statement

(Rationale for participation in the program; Broad goals and objectives of the proposed AAROM body; Early identification of areas of interest; Anticipated short-term challenges; self-assessment of readiness - Whether group anticipates the need for further capacity building support beyond 2004-05)