Nominations are now open. Submit your nomination by Friday, October 23, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET.

Overview

The Ministry of Rural Affairs' Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards recognize individuals, businesses, organizations and communities who are helping strengthen rural Ontario.

Applicants and nominees must show how their work supports at least 1 of the pillars in Enabling Opportunity: Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

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Who can apply or be nominated

Eligible applicants can nominate themselves or submit a nomination for an individual, business, organization or community.

Municipalities

Municipalities must be classified as rural to be eligible.

Rural eligibility is based on the same definition used by the Rural Ontario Development Program.

A group of rural municipalities or communities may apply together if their collaboration supports at least 1 of the goals of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Not-for-profit organizations

Organizations must operate solely as not-for-profit organizations to be eligible, must be based in Ontario and have a direct relationship to rural Ontario.

Organizations established to generate profit are not eligible (see definition of Business).

Eligible not-for-profit organizations may include:

  • registered charities
  • religious organizations
  • social enterprises
  • cooperatives

Businesses

Businesses must be based in Ontario and have a direct relationship to rural Ontario.

All types of businesses are eligible, including:

  • sole proprietorships
  • partnerships

Individuals and families

Individual and family applicants must be Ontario residents.

Individual applicants do not need to live in a rural community. However, their leadership or achievements must result in a significant benefit to rural Ontario.

Youth

Youth applicants must be:

  • Ontario residents
  • 24 years of age or younger

Youth applicants do not need to live in a rural community. However, their leadership or achievements must result in a significant benefit to rural Ontario.

Indigenous businesses and communities

Indigenous communities and businesses may be eligible for an award.

An Indigenous community may include groups associated with 1 or more Indigenous communities.

An Indigenous business must be wholly owned and operated by First Nation, Métis or Inuit peoples.

How to meet eligibility

Key pillars

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate how their work supports 1 or more of the following pillars of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy:

1. Safe and strong rural communities

Support the foundations that help rural communities be places where people want to live, work and build a future.

This includes:

  • building local economic development capacity
  • supporting local leadership
  • improving community infrastructure
  • strengthening public and cyber safety

2. Growing the rural workforce

Help attract, retain and grow the rural workforce.

This includes:

  • growing local talent
  • increasing awareness of job opportunities in rural Ontario
  • helping workers gain the skills they need to succeed
  • attracting and retaining newcomers

3. Business development and attraction

Support the development, growth and attraction of rural businesses.

This includes:

  • encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation
  • attracting investment
  • revitalizing downtowns
  • growing tourism opportunities
  • diversifying regional economies

Categories and eligibility

Rural Inspiration

Description

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate meaningful contributions through vision and inspiration that have helped drive rural economic and/or community development, showing how the outcomes and impacts of these efforts to advance the pillars of Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Eligibility

Rural Community

Description

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate leadership through community-led initiatives that improve quality of life and local prosperity, identifying how their efforts advance the pillars of Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Eligibility

Rural Entrepreneur

Description

Applicants and nominees must show meaningful business innovation, growth, and economic impact that generates new opportunities and/or contributes to the well-being of rural communities and how those efforts advance the pillars of Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Eligibility

Rural Youth Leader

Description

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate meaningful youth leadership and community engagement, with clear ties to the pillars outlined in Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Eligibility

Rural Economic Innovation

Description

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate meaningful contributions through leadership that has driven economic growth and innovative practices, showing how their efforts advance the pillars of Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Eligibility

Rural Partnerships

Description

Applicants and nominees must show meaningful contributions through leadership to foster partnerships and collaboration across organizations to achieve shared results, identifying how those efforts support the pillars of Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Eligibility

Rural Champion

Description

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate meaningful, long-standing service to rural Ontario, above and beyond their local community and show how that service advances the pillars of Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Eligibility

Rural Heart

Description

Applicants and nominees must demonstrate meaningful contributions through volunteerism, dedication and community service, in a way that has helped advance the pillars of Ontario's Rural Economic Development Strategy.

Eligibility

Prepare and submit your nomination

Start by reviewing the categories and eligibility table to determine which category best fits your nomination.

Show how the nominee meets the criteria for 1 or more pillars of the strategy.

  • Gather supporting documentation to submit a strong nomination:
    • letters of support
    • photos in JPEG format
    • reports and media articles

Deadline

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. ET on Friday, October 23, 2026.

All nominees will receive an email confirming their nomination. The review process is expected to conclude in December and only selected award recipients will be contacted.

Terms and conditions

  • Applicants and nominees must be in compliance with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation.
  • Applicants and nominators must choose 1 award category on their application.
  • Applicants and nominees must be willing to participate in virtual interviews, site visits, photographs and video recordings at the discretion of the ministry.
  • The Ministry has reserved the right to refuse an application where concerns have been identified with respect to, without limitation, non-compliance with regulatory legislation and requirements, undue influence and/or misleading and inaccurate information.
  • The Minister, in their sole discretion, may for any reason and at any time retract an award, including the use of the Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards wordmark, and affected award winners will unconditionally follow all directions issued to them thereafter concerning the same.