Community Interaction Program — Study projects

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

This grant is intended to support non-profit and community-driven environmental initiatives and explicitly excludes certain types of organizations. It aims to ensure alignment with goals related to conservation and community benefit within the specified geographic area.

• Individual applicants are not eligible.
• Departments and government agencies cannot apply.
• Municipalities are excluded from eligibility.
• Educational institutions are not permitted to apply.
• Private companies are restricted from applying.

Eligible expenses

The Community Interaction Program supports projects focusing on the conservation and enhancement of the St. Lawrence ecosystem through community-driven initiatives. Eligible projects encompass a range of activities aimed at raising awareness, conducting studies, implementing study-action plans, and undertaking restoration and protection efforts.

• Awareness-raising activities addressing specific environmental problems and targeting particular groups with a focus on concrete, short-term actions.
• Study projects related to developing action plans for specific environmental issues.
• Study-action projects combining feasibility studies with implementation of environmental actions.
• Restoration projects focused on cleaning, stabilizing, and revegetating shorelines and protecting wildlife and plant species.
• Protection projects that conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable use of the St. Lawrence.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available exclusively to projects implemented in the St. Lawrence area, a specific geographical region outlined by the funding body. This focus ensures the promotion of community projects that enhance and conserve the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

• The water, bed, shores, coastline, wetlands, barachois, islands, archipelagos, and fluvial lakes of the St. Lawrence.
• The area between Cornwall and Gaspé on the south shore.
• 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 sections of secondary tributaries essential to species dependent on the St. Lawrence.

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Community Interaction Program are based on specific criteria to ensure they meet the objectives of enhancing and conserving the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

• Clear description and rationale of the environmental issue addressed by the project.
• Extent of community involvement and support in the project.
• Defined target group and strategy for engaging this group.
• Quality and comprehensiveness of the project’s communication plan.
• Realistic and detailed budget estimate.
• Clear and feasible project schedule.
• Sound and appropriate methodologies for project activities.
• Defined performance indicators to measure project outcomes.
• Long-term sustainability of environmental benefits.
• Documented partnerships with other organizations and contributions.

Here are the steps to submit an application for the Community Interaction Program grant:

• Step 1: Eligibility Confirmation
  • Confirm your organization is eligible by being a non-profit, non-government organization or an Indigenous community with a charter under Quebec’s Companies Act (Part III) or equivalent.
  • Make sure your project aligns with the CIP objectives and is located within the specified St. Lawrence area.
  • Consult with a project officer for guidance and preliminary project proposal review.
• Step 2: Project Preparation
  • Define the category of your project: Awareness-raising, Study, Study-action or Restoration/protection.
  • Prepare a comprehensive project proposal including objectives, environmental scope, methodology, budget, and timeline.
  • Include all required documents and supporting evidence, such as maps, photographs, and any necessary permits.
  • Ensure the involvement of community and partners is documented with letters of support indicating financial, material, or human resource contributions.
• Step 3: Budget and Funding Plan
  • Outline your project's total costs in the "Total Project Costs" table within the budget plan form.
  • Detail the funding and in-kind contributions in the "Total Project Funding – Project Partners" table.
  • Ensure you have matching funds that meet program requirements, for projects over $35,000, at least 10% must be in cash.
• Step 4: Application Form Completion
  • Fill out the CIP funding application form completely and accurately, adhering to word limits where provided.
  • Demonstrate the sustainability of proposed environmental benefits and potential for long-term impact.
  • Attach additional documents such as the RIMP or any other management plan relevant to your project.
• Step 5: Submission
  • Submit your application by either March 1 or October 15 deadline.
  • Send the application via mail to the provided address, by fax to 418-649-6674, or by email to ec.interactionscommunautaires-communityinteraction.ec@canada.ca.
  • Ensure all required documents, forms, and attachments are included in your submission to avoid delays.

The Programme Interactions communautaires by the Canadian government aims to support community projects that enhance the St. Lawrence ecosystem, through financial contributions targeted at non-profit organizations and Indigenous communities in Quebec.

• The project timeline cannot exceed 36 months.
• The programme can finance up to 70% of the total eligible project expenses.
• All proposals must be submitted along with a detailed budget and timeline.
• Expenses such as acquisition of land or buildings, recurrent maintenance costs, loan repayment, and purchase of office furniture or IT equipment are non-eligible.
• Supplementary documentation like impact assessments, permits, and property titles may be required.
• Applicants must demonstrate concrete community involvement and partnership support in their proposals.
• Projects can fall under categories such as Sensitization, Study, Study-Action, or Restoration/Protection.
• Environmental impact mitigation measures need to be described.