The Self Employment Benefits Program is a federally funded program that is designed to support individuals to effectively assess business concepts, develop business plans and launch community-based business ventures.

This program is designed for people who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits or who have received EI benefits during the last 3 years (or 5 years if you have been on parental leave) and wish to become self-employed.

Under this program, individuals who are eligible may receive financial support for 1-12 month period, while training and starting their own small business.

Divided into four phases, the Self Employment Program can take interested individuals through:

1. Orientation
2. Concept Development and Market Analysis
3. Business Plan Training and Development
4. Business launch

Each proposed business concept is carefully screened by a Business Development Committee, composed of respected individuals from within our service area. A positive recommendation of this committee is required by all applicants, prior to acceptance into the program.

On behalf of Service Canada (SC), Community Futures Shuswap administers and delivers this program by assisting in the development of participants’ business concepts and business plans for review and recommendation of the Business Development Committee; monitoring of the business during the term of the approved contract; and through mentoring and providing additional guidance or assistance as required by the participant.

Since 1987, nearly 1000 clients from the Community Futures Shuswap region have completed the Self Employment Program with us and have created their own small business.

Funded By

Funded in whole or part through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement