Community Interaction Program — Restoration and/or protection of biodiversity

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

This grant is not available to certain organizations due to their legal status or the nature of their operations. The restrictions ensure that support is provided to appropriate entities capable of contributing to the conservation of the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

• Individuals.
• Government departments and agencies.
• Municipalities.
• Educational institutions.
• Private companies.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports community-initiated projects aimed at raising awareness, conducting studies, implementing action plans, and restoring or protecting the St. Lawrence ecosystem. Eligible projects encompass a range of activities focused on environmental preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

• Awareness-raising activities like seminars, forums, symposiums, and information sessions targeting specific environmental issues.
• Study projects that develop action plans, conduct characterization studies, inventories, feasibility studies, and prepare plans and specifications.
• Study-action projects that involve developing an action plan followed by implementation actions.
• Restoration activities such as shoreline clean-up, stabilization, revegetation, and restoration of sensitive habitats.
• Protection projects focused on conserving important areas, promoting sustainable use, and access control to protect sensitive environments.

Eligible geographic areas

This program is specific to projects implemented in designated areas within the St. Lawrence region in Quebec, Canada. It supports initiatives that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable management of resources in these regions.

• Areas between Cornwall and Gaspé on the south shore, including the Québec portion of Chaleur Bay and the Magdalen Islands.
• The area between Carillon and Blanc Sablon on the north shore, including Anticosti Island and the Saguenay River.
• Main tributaries and essential sections of secondary tributaries within the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

The project submission must include various required documents for assessment, including ownership clarifications if activities are performed on non-owned land. Contacting a project officer is advised for eligible expense clarifications and applying to other federal or provincial departments for partnerships is encouraged but not included in CIP funding.

• Clarify land ownership and obtain the required approvals if project activities occur on non-owned land.
• Contact a project officer for clarification regarding eligible expenses not listed in the guide.
• The program allows for project partnerships with federal or provincial departments other than ECCC or MELCC, although these are not part of the CIP funding.