How much funding can be received?

Get up to $200,000 in funding for a restoration project arising from a specific environmental issue that helps conserve biodiversity and improve water quality in the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports projects implemented in the specified areas surrounding the St. Lawrence ecosystem. These regions are targeted to promote conservation efforts and community involvement in environmental projects.

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.
Anticosti Island and the Saguenay River.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$75,000

Riverbank stabilization project to prevent erosion and improve water quality

$95,000

Rehabilitation of fish habitats to enhance aquatic biodiversity

$73,000

Rain garden installation to filter pollutants and improve water quality

$90,000

Removal of invasive plant species to restore ecosystem balance

$100,000

Restoration of wetland areas to improve biodiversity and water quality near Montreal

$86,000

Urban tree planting to improve air and water quality

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for the Community Interaction Program requires adherence to organizational criteria specific to the applicant's status and location.

The applicant must be a non-profit non-government organization that has been legally constituted for at least one year.
The organization must have an established place of business in Quebec.
The applicant must demonstrate they 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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The Community Interaction Program is intended for non-profit non-government organizations and Indigenous communities that have been legally constituted for at least one year, with a place of business in Quebec. Organizations must have a charter under Quebec's Companies Act (Part III) or its equivalent.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

Eligible expenses under the Community Interaction Program include costs directly related to the project's execution.

Human resources, including salaries and benefits.
Management and professional services such as communications, graphic design, and translation.
Travel associated with the project.
Equipment and supplies necessary for the project.
Printing, production, and distribution of related materials.
Equipment purchase or rental required for the project.
Vehicle rental and use for project purposes.
Contractors needed to perform specific project activities.
A reasonable share of overhead and/or administrative costs.
GST and QST amounts not reimbursable by federal or provincial governments.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Community Interaction Program are based on specific criteria that assess the potential impact and effectiveness of the proposed projects.

Description of the environmental problem and rationale for the project.
Environmental scope and anticipated impacts of the project activities.
Level of community and partner involvement, with evidence of partnerships and support.
Identification and engagement of the target group.
Effectiveness of the communications plan associated with the project.
Realistic budget estimate and financial planning.
Feasibility of the schedule and work methodologies proposed.
Use of performance indicators to measure project outcomes and their sustainability.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to apply for the Community Interaction Program grant:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
- Ensure your organization is a non-profit or Indigenous community legally constituted for at least one year with an established place of business in Quebec.
- Ensure your project aligns with the program's objectives of conserving and improving the St. Lawrence ecosystem.
- Contact a project officer for preliminary eligibility confirmation.
Step 2: Preparation and Consultation
- Draft a preliminary project proposal and seek feedback from a project officer at least one month before the deadline.
- Identify necessary approvals or permits and start the application process early to avoid delays.
- Clarify ownership of any land involved in the project and obtain required consents.
Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the CIP funding application form thoroughly.
- Include detailed descriptions of project activities and methodologies.
- Compile necessary documents, such as maps, photographs, letters of consent, and partnership letters.
Step 4: Budget and Funding
- Prepare a detailed budget plan outlining all project costs and potential funding sources.
- Secure matching funds and letters of support from partners, confirming their participation and contributions.
Step 5: Performance Indicators
- Select appropriate performance indicators to measure project outcomes.
- Estimate achievable results for each indicator to include in the application.
Step 6: Submit Application
- Send the completed and signed application by mail, fax, or email by the March 1 or October 15 deadline.
- If mailed, ensure the postmark date validates the submission deadline.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

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.

grant_single_labels|contact

ec.interactionscommunautaires-communityinteraction.ec@canada.ca

418-648-3444

Apply to this program

Enhance and Protect the St. Lawrence Ecosystem

The Community Interaction Program (CIP) offers funding support for non-profit organizations and Indigenous communities committed to projects that prioritize the conservation and improvement of the St. Lawrence ecosystem. This initiative aims to amplify community-driven efforts toward environmental sustainability in designated areas.

Detailed Insight into the Community Interaction Program

The Community Interaction Program, rooted in fostering environmental stewardship, supports projects aimed at enhancing the biodiversity and sustainability of the St. Lawrence ecosystem. Managed collaboratively by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Quebec Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), the CIP finances up to 70% of eligible project expenses. While individual organizations lead the projects, securing community and partner involvement is a critical factor in receiving approval, underscoring the program's emphasis on community-driven impact.

Eligible projects fall into categories such as awareness-raising, study, study-action, and restoration and protection, each aimed at tackling specific environmental issues tied to the St. Lawrence's ecological health. The initiative promotes projects located between Cornwall and Gaspé on the south shore, as well as other strategic regions, reflecting the program's comprehensive impact reach across related geographical locations. Addressing diffuse agricultural pollution and connecting project activities to broader regional management plans are imperative for eligibility, as these efforts collectively bolster the resilience and vitality of the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

The CIP also stresses the formation of partnerships and acquisition of matching funds, which can include financial, human, or material resources from community stakeholders. The inclusion of partner contributions not only satisfies funding criteria but enriches project development and implementation through diverse expertise and additional resources. Consequently, proposals must articulate the specifics of partner engagements and include letters confirming these partnerships. Detailed project plans, anticipated outcomes, and strategies to ensure sustainability are crucial components of a successful application.

The funding framework encourages innovative methodologies and transparent management, ensuring projects are poised for success and have demonstrable impacts. Performance metrics, such as linear extent of restored shoreline or hectares of habitats improved, are integral for evaluating project efficacy and long-term sustainability. Such metrics guide recipients in managing their projects effectively, ensuring that benefits extend beyond immediate objectives to support ongoing ecological health.

Overall, the Community Interaction Program constitutes a strategic opportunity for eligible entities engaged with local ecosystems to access significant financial resources, bolster collective environmental action, and contribute substantively to the conservation of the St. Lawrence region. By advancing meaningful community and conservation initiatives, the CIP represents an essential conduit for ecological protection and participative community development.