Recognizing ACOA support

Quick-start guide

Announcing your project

Announcing your project simply means making information about it public. This can happen several ways, including news releases, ribbon-cutting ceremonies or open houses – sometimes even just through a social media post!

As part of your funding agreement, ACOA’s Minister, local members of Parliament, or other officials have the opportunity to be part of the announcement. ACOA will work with you, providing as much notice as possible before an announcement is planned.

If the project is being announced by news release only, ACOA will typically prepare the draft or coordinate with the organization leading the draft. We will ask you to verify the information and sometimes seek a quote from you.

If the project is announced as part of a public event, ACOA will work with your organization to plan logistics and help support the activity. ACOA can usually provide audio-visual support, flags and media coordination, but you will likely be asked to identify a suitable venue and invite guests.

Verbal acknowledgement of ACOA’s support should take place during speaking opportunities related to the project.

Example: “I would like to acknowledge the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s support for (name of project or event). I would also like to welcome (name of representative) to our event today.”

Whenever possible, the ACOA corporate identity should be displayed on all event tickets and invitations, as part of activities such as opening, closing, and welcoming ceremonies, receptions and other events.

If there are multiple funding partners involved, ACOA will coordinate between them and ensure their role in the project is captured properly. Remember to keep your funding confidential until the announcement, and if you need to reference it for some reason beforehand, please let us know.

If your organization wants to announce the project before ACOA contacts you about it, let your Project Officer know and we can look into options.

Once your project has been announced, you are welcome and encouraged to spread the word even further through social media channels and your professional or community networks!

Recognizing ACOA in communications

You must acknowledge ACOA and the Government of Canada in promotions and communications about your project. Examples include:

• If your project includes a website, ACOA’s support should be referenced on it
• If your project is to host an activity such as a webinar, and you are promoting it through social media, ACOA’s support should be referenced in your posts
• If your organization publishes an annual report, ACOA’s support should be referenced there
• If your project is being advertised on radio, television, or online, ACOA’s support should be referenced
• If your project supports a business accelerator or training program, ACOA’s support should be mentioned in participant materials
• If your project includes participation in a trade show or industry conference, ACOA’s support should be visible on your booth signage, delegate materials or event program

If you’re unsure whether something requires recognition, ask your Project Officer.

Examples of wording:

• “With support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency”
• “Supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency”
• “With thanks to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency”

Avoid wording such as:

• “Sponsored by…”
• “In partnership with…”
• “In collaboration with…”

Whenever possible, include ACOA’s graphic identifier.

• Download a ZIP file containing the ACOA corporate identity and the Canada wordmark

ACOA corporate identity

ACOA’s corporate identity consists of the ACOA departmental signature and the Canada wordmark.
The ACOA signature must never appear without the Canada wordmark beside it.

Proper use of the logo helps people recognize that your project or activity is supported by the Government of Canada through ACOA.

Technical specifications

• Display prominently and with sufficient space around it
• Never alter, stretch, fade or stylize it
• Must appear at 100% opacity

Colour usage

• Full colour (Pantone 313 blue, warm red, and black) on a white or light background
• Solid black or white versions for single-colour documents or a dark background
• No other colours are acceptable

Equal acknowledgement

• The ACOA logo must receive the same prominence as other funders’ logos with similar financial contributions

Official languages

• For bilingual publications, use the English-first version when English appears first, and vice versa
• Printed materials may be unilingual or bilingual recto-verso

When to use the Canada wordmark instead

• If more than one federal department is funding the project, only the Canada wordmark should appear, and references should be to the “Government of Canada”

ACOA only

More than one federal department

Graphic files

• Download a ZIP file containing the ACOA corporate identity and the Canada wordmark

Your materials must still be reviewed by your ACOA account manager prior to publication.

Examples of client social media posts recognizing ACOA support