How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $200000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Community Interaction Program — Study projects?

Community Interaction Program — Study projects is funded by Government of Canada, Gouvernement du Québec

What are Community Interaction Program — Study projects's eligibility criterias?

Must be a non-profit non-government organization legally constituted for at least one year with an established place of business in Quebec. Indigenous communities are eligible. Departments, government agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, and private companies are not eligible.

Community Interaction Program — Study projects

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Money for study projects on the St. Lawrence ecosystem

Community Interaction Program — Study projects 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)

Grant Providers

Government of Canada
Gouvernement du Québec

Program status

Closed

Overview of the Community Interaction Program — Study projects program

Get up to $25,000 in funding for a study project pertaining to a specific environmental issue with the aim of identifying concrete actions to be taken in the field.

Financing terms and conditions

The Community Interaction Program offers specific financing modalities to support the conservation and enhancement of the St. Lawrence ecosystem through its funding initiatives. These modalities ensure a comprehensive approach towards funding eligible project expenses.

The program can finance up to 70% of the total eligible project expenses.
Maximum funding amounts are set per project category: $25,000 for study projects, $100,000 for awareness-raising, and $200,000 for study-action or restoration/protection projects.
Funding includes costs for human resources, management services, travel, equipment, production, and reasonable overhead.
Matching funds from partners must be at least 10% in cash for projects over $35,000.
Performance indicators are used to measure project outcomes and sustainability.

Eligible projects & activities

The Community Interaction Program funds initiatives focusing on the conservation and improvement of the St. Lawrence ecosystem through community involvement and action. Eligible projects are categorized into awareness-raising, study, study-action, and restoration or protection activities.

Public awareness activities such as seminars, forums, symposiums, and information sessions addressing specific environmental issues.
Study projects that include the development of action plans, characterization studies, inventories, and feasibility studies.
Study-action projects that combine the development of action plans with the implementation of restoration projects.
Restoration projects involving shoreline clean-up, stabilization, revegetation, protection of wildlife and plant species, and clean-up of waste disposal sites related to the St. Lawrence area.
Protection projects aimed at conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 18,000

Develop an inventory of local wildlife in urban parks to assist conservation efforts

$ 15,000

Implement an educational workshop to raise awareness about plastic pollution in local beaches

$ 25,000

Create a documentary highlighting the impact of urban sprawl on local ecosystems

$ 16,000

Conduct a feasibility study for recycling programs in downtown areas

$ 20,000

Develop an intervention plan for reducing industrial water pollution in local rivers

$ 19,000

Conduct a study on the effectiveness of green roofs in reducing urban heat islands

Eligibility criteria of the Community Interaction Program — Study projects program

Eligibility for this grant is restricted to specific types of organizations operating within Quebec, Canada.

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

Who is eligible?

The Community Interaction Program is open to non-profit non-government organizations and Indigenous communities. Organizations must have been legally constituted for at least one year and have an established place of business in Quebec. Additionally, eligible organizations must demonstrate that they have a charter under Quebec’s Companies Act (Part III) or its equivalent. Individual departments, government agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, and private companies are not eligible to apply for this grant.

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.

Eligibility criteria of the Community Interaction Program — Study projects program

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.

How to apply to the Community Interaction Program — Study projects program

Eligibility Verification

Confirm that your organization is eligible according to the program criteria.
Check that your project is eligible by consulting the relevant section or by contacting a project officer.

Project Preparation

Contact a project agent to discuss your project idea.
Write the detailed work plan including objectives, scope, and methodology.
Develop the budget with a fair estimate of eligible costs.
Obtain the necessary partnership and support letters.
Attach all necessary documents such as PGIRs, plans, and justifications.

Complete the application form

Complete the funding application form by including all required sections.
Verify that all information is complete and accurate.

Submission of the request

Send the request by email, fax, or by mail before the deadline (March 1st or October 15th).
Ensure a proven shipping date (postmark, electronic date, or fax confirmation).

Additional information

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.

Contact Government of Canada

Interactions_Communautaires_Quebec_Community_Interaction@ec.gc.ca

819-938-3860

Apply to this program

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