EcoAction - Community-led freshwater action across Canada Stream

Who is eligible?

• Domestic not-for-profit organizations (charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, non-governmental organizations)
• Domestic Indigenous organizations, governments, boards, commissions, communities, associations, and authorities
• Local organizations (community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, service clubs)
• Regional conservation districts and watershed authorities

Who is not eligible

• Companies and organizations operating outside of Canada.
• Businesses with activities focused on brackish water or saltwater rather than freshwater.
• Organizations whose ongoing programs and activities are unrelated to new, distinct freshwater projects.
• Entities conducting projects mandated by law or required by any level of government.
• Companies seeking funding solely for political lobbying, advocacy, fundraising, or beautification projects.

Eligible expenses

• Human resource costs, including salaries and benefits for project personnel
• Contractor fees related to project activities
• Professional service costs such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official language and Indigenous language translation, audit, and legal charges
• Direct project-related hospitality, travel, and venue/conference expenses
• Materials and supplies required for the project
• Printing, production, and distribution costs for project needs
• Equipment rental or purchase for project purposes (excluding capital assets)
• Vehicle rental and operational costs directly linked to project activities (vehicle purchases are ineligible)
• Non-reimbursable GST/HST and PST directly related to project expenses
• Up to 15% of direct project-related overhead and administrative costs
• Hospitality expenditures for Indigenous ceremonial offerings during meetings or ceremonies
• Honoraria for Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers related to specific participation activities

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Projects already underway or continuing existing EcoAction-funded projects.
• Projects outside Canada or focused on brackish water and saltwater activities.
• Activities required by law or mandated by government.
• Lobbying, advocacy, fundraising, and beautification-only projects.
• Capital asset purchases, land acquisition, vehicle purchase, and site decontamination.

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada (projects must be carried out within Canada)

• Link to fresh water.
• Strong community involvement and water literacy components.
• Feasibility of the project’s impact, results, and activities.
• Continuation of project activities and benefits.
• Engagement and partnership with priority groups.

• Step 1: Access the Application Portal
  • Go to the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), Environment and Climate Change Canada’s online application system.
  • Register or log in as required.
• Step 2: Prepare Your Project Proposal
  • Draft a comprehensive project proposal including clear, realistic, and measurable objectives.
  • Demonstrate how your project addresses the key environmental priority of fresh water and describes active community involvement.
  • Outline a Knowledge Transfer component and include performance indicators (at least one environmental and one capacity building indicator).
  • Identify and detail all sources of matching funds (cash and in-kind) as required by the 1:1 matching funding guideline.
  • Provide required details on permits, technical information, and, if applicable, activities on federal lands.
• Step 3: Complete the Budget Section
  • Complete the budget for all project years in the GCEMS system.
  • Detail all project costs, eligible expenditures, and administrative costs in line with the program guidelines.
• Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents
  • Attach any necessary supporting documentation (e.g., reports, background information, permits, letters of support if available).
• Step 5: Review and Finalize Application
  • Review your full application for completeness and accuracy.
  • Address any system errors and ensure the budget is completed at least 24 hours prior to the deadline.
• Step 6: Submit the Application
  • Submit your completed application through the GCEMS online system before the Call for Application deadline.
• Step 7: Confirmation and Next Steps
  • Receive written notification regarding the status of your application (successful or unsuccessful).
  • If successful, participate in negotiating and finalizing a Contribution Agreement, and comply with reporting requirements as outlined by the program.

• Applications are reviewed in three stages: administrative review, technical review, and final regional review.
• Ineligible projects are notified after the administrative review stage.
• Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing.
• If approved, the applicant negotiates a Contribution Agreement before funding is finalized.
• Approved recipients must submit reports during the project, and final payment is held back until the final report is reviewed and approved.

• Funding decisions are communicated in writing to all applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful.
• Final payment is subject to submission and approval of a final project report.
• The application must be submitted through GCEMS, the online application system.
• It is recommended to complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours before the deadline.