Overview
The objective of the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) program is to improve the viability and long-term sustainability of local governments by providing support for regional collaboration and capacity building initiatives.
Key program outcomes are:
- new or enhanced regional municipal services;
- improved municipal capacity to respond to priorities; and
- effective intermunicipal relations.
In total, the 2026-27 ACP budget is $10.6 million.
2026-27 Program updates
The 2026-27 ACP program updates focus on refining funding parameters, strengthening alignment with core municipal priorities, and improving program accessibility and delivery. In particular, changes to the ACP Intermunicipal Collaboration (IC) component support continued alignment with government priorities and evolving municipal needs. A summary of these changes are outlined below, with further details included in the 2026-27 ACP Program Guidelines:
Intermunicipal Collaboration component
- Maximum provincial support per IC project reduced to $150,000 (from $200,000) to enable extended program reach.
- A cost-share requirement introducing a 10% municipal contribution toward total project costs.
- Elimination of the 25% grant holdback requirement, with full funding provided upon execution of the Conditional Grant Agreement (CGA).
- The component has been refocused to encourage projects related to water, wastewater and stormwater, infrastructure/asset management with a focus on core infrastructure*, and emergency services to align with core municipal responsibilities. Other project types remain eligible for funding.
- The cities of Calgary and Edmonton remain eligible project participants; however, managing partner roles are reserved for small and mid-sized local governments to support broader access to funding and project leadership.
*Core infrastructure asset management projects include roads and bridges, water, wastewater and storm water systems, emergency management, and disaster mitigation.
Eligibility
Eligible entities
- Municipalities (cities, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts, specialized municipalities, improvement districts and special areas)
- Metis Settlements
- Townsite of Redwood Meadows Administration Society
- Municipally controlled planning service agencies (eligible only under the Municipal Internship component to host a Land Use Planner intern)
Eligible projects and components
Intermunicipal collaboration (IC)
The government provides funding to partnerships of 2 or more local governments to develop regional plans, service delivery frameworks and regional service delivery efficiencies that align with broader regional or municipal priorities and initiatives. (For example, new or enhanced regional emergency management frameworks, regional plans for emergency preparedness or disaster mitigation, and regional growth plans. See ACP Guidelines, Schedule 1A for further examples).
IC evaluation criteria continues to reflect a strong focus on project outcomes and regional benefits. Additional information is available in Schedule 1B of the ACP Guidelines to assist in completing a high quality IC application.
The deadline for 2026-27 IC applications is October 1, 2026.
Municipal restructuring (MR)
The government provides funding to municipalities involved with regional governance and municipal restructuring processes such as amalgamation, dissolution or viability reviews.
The deadline for 2026-27 MR applications is January 15, 2027.
Mediation and cooperative processes (MCP)
The government provides funding to local governments to develop collaborative protocols and processes, to proactively manage conflict, and to establish an agreed-upon process for collaboration.
The government provides funding to support local governments for mediation, facilitation or other dispute resolution alternatives to resolve intermunicipal conflict, and to assist with intermunicipal negotiations.
The deadline for 2026-27 MCP applications is February 3, 2027.
Municipal internship (MI)
The government provides funding to municipalities and planning service agencies to recruit, train and retain competent municipal employees who may pursue careers in municipal administration, finance or land-use planning.
Refer to the program guidelines for information regarding all program components.
The deadline for 2026-27 MI applications is October 1, 2026.
How to apply
Step 1. Read the guidelines
Step 2. Complete and submit the application
Applicants are required to fill out and submit their applications through Alberta Community Partnership Online (ACPO), which is accessed through MAConnect, the web portal that provides external stakeholders secure access to Municipal Affairs' key business applications.
ACPO gives local governments the ability to:
- create, edit and submit ACP applications online
- view agreement, payment and reporting summary information for projects funded under ACP
- create, edit and submit ACP amendment requests
- create, edit, submit, and track the status of ACP Statements of Expenditures and Project Outcomes (SEPO)
Accessing ACPO
Local governments already signed up for MAConnect can request staff access to ACPO through their own internal MAConnect Stakeholder Administrator.
The Stakeholder Administrator is the person delegated to manage access to applications in MAConnect on behalf of the local government through the MAConnect Stakeholder Agreement. If the local government needs to assign another Stakeholder Administrator, a request can be emailed to [email protected].
Local governments that do not have access to MAConnect must first complete a Stakeholder Agreement before requesting access to ACPO.
To obtain a Stakeholder Agreement, email [email protected] or call 780-644-2413 (toll free 310-0000). Once the Stakeholder Agreement has been signed and returned to Municipal Affairs, the local government’s designated Stakeholder Administrator can submit a request for ACPO access.
For more information, refer to the ACPO User Guide.
After you apply
Funding decisions will be made by March 31 of the program year. It is anticipated that applicants will be advised in writing of the status of their submission and a list of successful projects will be posted annually.
Amendments
An amendment is required if the project scope or time period to use grant funds changes after project approval. However, local governments are strongly encouraged to complete projects by the completion date identified in their conditional grant agreement. Grant recipients are required to fill out and submit their amendment requirements through ACPO, accessed through MAConnect.
Reporting
For all components, final reporting is due within 60 days after the project completion date, unless otherwise stated.
Grant recipients are required to submit their SEPOs through ACPO, which is accessed through MAConnect. Additional reporting may be required under some components.
It is the responsibility of the Grant Recipient to monitor reporting due dates and ensure the timely submission of all required reporting.
The status of SEPO submissions can be viewed through ACPO.
Approved projects
Contact
Connect with the ACP program:
Phone: 780-422-7125
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Grants and Education Property Tax Branch
Alberta Municipal Affairs
15th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4L4