Congratulations to Enactus University of Calgary for receiving this year’s National Bank Indigenous Inclusion Project Accelerator Best Project Award for First Flora, a vertical farming initiative that combines traditional knowledge to grow medicinal plants year-round. First Flora received $3,000 in funding to further support its growth and expansion.
The National Bank Indigenous Inclusion Project Accelerator empowered six teams across Canada with $2,500 in funding to identify, create, and deliver projects that promote social and economic inclusion of Indigenous peoples. Two team members from each project also received funding to complete the Indigenous Awareness Training course delivered by the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute.
“Building relationships with Indigenous communities, and then understanding their new opportunities and priorities, is core to our approach to inclusion,” said Steve Berna, Managing Director of Indigenous Relations at National Bank. “The projects showcased through the Indigenous Inclusion Project Accelerator were innovative, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and entrepreneurs across Canada. Through our support of Indigenous Inclusion with Enactus, we’re proud to invest in the next generation of business leaders committed to positive community impact.”
In addition to First Flora, the InStep project from Enactus Concordia University received $2,000 as Runner-Up. InStep supports and amplifies Indigenous entrepreneurs by connecting them with the campus community through pop-up markets, workshops, and storytelling to foster economic inclusion and allyship
We congratulate all the teams on their inclusive projects and work with Indigenous communities across Canada to improve access to opportunity and entrepreneurship for Indigenous peoples.
Learn more about the Project Accelerator program and other award winners from our National Exposition.
