Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising

Q: How much funding can be received?

Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $200000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising?

Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising is funded by Government of Canada, Gouvernement du Québec

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising?

You can contact Government of Canada by email at ec.interactionscommunautaires-communityinteraction.ec@canada.ca or by phone at 418-648-3444.

Q: Where is the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising available?

The Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Funding for the awareness of citizens to the quality of the St. Lawrence ecosystem

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $200,000
Up to 70% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : October 15, 2024
Closing date : October 15, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Other services (except public administration)

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

Get up to $100,000 in funding for an awareness project arising from a specific environmental issue that target a particular group in the community and lead to concrete short-term actions.

Financing terms and conditions

The Community Interaction Program provides financial assistance with specific modalities aimed at supporting community projects focused on the St. Lawrence ecosystem. The funding structure is designed to maximize impact through shared responsibility and partnerships.

The program funds up to 70% of the total value of eligible project expenses.
Maximum funding amounts vary by project category: up to $100,000 for awareness-raising, $25,000 for study projects, $200,000 for study-action projects, and up to $200,000 for restoration and/or protection of biodiversity.
Eligible expenses include human resource costs, management and professional services, travel, equipment, production, and reasonable overhead and administrative costs.
Projects over $35,000 must secure at least 10% of the funding in matching cash from partners.
Both cash and in-kind contributions are accepted as matching funds, with requirements for documentation and confirmation of partnerships.

Activities funded

The Community Interaction Program supports projects focused on enhancing and conserving the St. Lawrence ecosystem through various targeted activities. Eligible projects aim to raise awareness and incite actionable environmental change among specific community groups.

Conducting seminars, forums, and symposiums to engage the public on environmental issues.
Organizing information sessions to educate on specific environmental challenges and potential solutions.
Developing concertation projects that bring together various stakeholders for environmental collaboration.
Implementing nature interpretation projects to enhance understanding of local ecosystems.
Creating academic projects that contribute to environmental education and awareness.
Initiating tourism or historical projects with an environmental focus.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 75,000

Creating an action plan for the restoration of a wetland

$ 65,000

Conducting a feasibility study for habitat restoration to protect unique plant species

$ 75,000

Implementing a public awareness campaign on the benefits of native plant species in urban areas

$ 90,000

Developing an educational program focusing on plastic pollution in the ocean

$ 40,000

Organizing a shoreline clean-up event involving local schools and community groups

$ 85,000

Holding a symposium to discuss the impact of urban development on local rivers

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's organization type and location.

The applicant must be a non-profit non-government organization.
The organization must have been legally constituted for at least one year.
A recognized place of business must be established in Quebec.
The organization must have a charter under Quebec’s Companies Act (Part III) or its equivalent.
Indigenous communities are also eligible.
Individuals, departments, government agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, and private companies are not eligible.

Who is eligible?

This grant is available to non-profit non-government organizations and Indigenous communities that wish to engage in projects aimed at conserving and improving the St. Lawrence ecosystem. The applying organization must be legally constituted with a charter under Quebec’s Companies Act (Part III) or its equivalent and have an established place of business in Quebec. Individuals, departments, government agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, and private companies are not eligible to apply for this grant.

Who is not eligible

This grant is specifically targeted towards non-profit non-governmental organizations and Indigenous communities and excludes several types of organizations and businesses. The restrictions are in place to ensure alignment with the grant's environmental conservation and community involvement objectives.

Individuals seeking funding for personal projects.
Departments or agencies of federal, provincial, or local governments.
Municipalities.
Educational institutions.
Private companies and for-profit businesses.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports various community projects aimed at conserving and enhancing the St. Lawrence ecosystem through awareness, studies, and restoration activities. Eligible projects focus on promoting biodiversity, improving water quality, and protecting specific habitats related to the St. Lawrence area.

Awareness-raising activities addressing specific environmental problems with short-term concrete actions.
Study projects developing action plans for implementation in the field.
Study-action projects that involve both research and the subsequent implementation of the research findings.
Restoration projects, which include shoreline clean-up, shoreline stabilization, and revegetation.
Protection projects focusing on the conservation of important areas and sustainable use for habitat protection.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is focused on projects implemented in the St. Lawrence area to support the conservation and improvement of its ecosystem. Eligible geographical areas are specifically defined to encompass regions directly connected to the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries.

The area between Cornwall and Gaspé on the south shore, including the Québec portion of Chaleur Bay.
The Magdalen Islands.
The area between Carillon and Blanc Sablon on the north shore, including Anticosti Island and the Saguenay River.
Main tributaries and sections of secondary tributaries essential to the life cycle of species connected to the St. Lawrence.

Selection criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Community Interaction Program grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program's objectives.

Description of the problem the project aims to address.
Rationale for the project and its need or significance.
Scope and scale of the environmental impact.
Level of community and partner involvement.
Clear identification of the target group.
Effectiveness of the proposed communications strategy.
Realism and accuracy of the budget estimate.
Plausibility of the project schedule and work methodologies.

How to apply

Eligibility verification

Contact a project officer to confirm the eligibility of your organization and your project.
Consult the sections on the eligibility of organizations and projects.

Preliminary consultation

Communicate with a project agent to submit a preliminary proposal one month before the deadline.
Obtain feedback to adjust the form and be directed to the right resources.

Preparation of the request

Download and complete the funding application form with all the required information.
Attach additional documents, such as maps, photographs, plans, and necessary permits.
Identify and include partner contributions, along with letters of support.
Estimate and document performance indicators and the sustainability of environmental benefits.

Budget Planning

Include all eligible expenses and contributions from partners in the budget planning form.
Provide confirmations of matching funds.

Legal validation

Ensure that all required legal authorizations are obtained or in the process of being obtained.

Submission of the request

Send the complete application by mail, email, or fax before the deadline.
Make sure that all forms and attachments are included before sending.

Additional information

Additional miscellaneous information about the Community Interaction Program grant includes essential requirements and compliance details for project approval.

Proposals must clearly link project activities to the St. Lawrence ecosystem.
Projects cannot exceed 36 consecutive months.
Expected project outcomes must be realistic and measurable using specified performance indicators.
All necessary environmental approvals and permits need to be acquired to avoid delays.
Detailed documentation, including maps, photographs, and plans, should be submitted to support the proposal.
Partnerships with community organizations and matching funds are crucial for project assessments.
Finalized agreements require confirmations of all matching funds in the form of cash or in-kind contributions.
Submissions must be sent by mail, fax, or email by March 1 or October 15 deadlines.

Contacts

ec.interactionscommunautaires-communityinteraction.ec@canada.ca

418-648-3444

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising?

Who is eligible for the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising program?

To be eligible for the Community Interaction Program — Awareness-raising program, you must: The organization must be a non-profit, non-government entity legally constituted for at least one year with an established place of business in Quebec. Indigenous communities are eligible to apply for the grant. Individuals, departments, government agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, and private companies are not eligible.