SASKSMART FUNDING

The Ministry of Education today announced that 13 communities will receive funding under the SaskSmart Innovations Fund.

"The provincial government supports literacy with just over $2 million for literacy initiatives," Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz said. "This includes sustainable funds for legacy programs and services for adult and family literacy throughout the province as well as the SaskSmart Innovations Fund for community literacy development."

Four of the 13 communities are receiving SaskSmart Innovations Fund Expressions of Interest (EOI) grants valued at $10,000 each. Three of these grants focus on Aboriginal literacy initiatives.

The EOI grants are designed to initially help communities begin engaging in new literacy planning. Throughout the 2008-09 fiscal year, these communities will establish a local literacy association and will work with the Literacy Office, Ministry of Education to develop community literacy plans in 2009-10.

Nine communities across the province will be awarded contracts under the SaskSmart Innovations Fund to support the implementation of their Community Literacy Plans. Community Literacy Plans provide literacy programs, services and supports in areas of family literacy and workplace literacy. All of the applications selected include a component to support meeting the needs of First Nations and Métis community members.

The SaskSmart Innovations Fund was created in 2006.

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For more information, contact:

Jacquie McLean
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: jacquie.mclean@sasked.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-2261