Closed
Source verified August 11, 2026
The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF)
Environmental legal aid for BC communities
Funding available
$ 50,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Individuals, community groups, grassroots movements, non-profit organizations, and First Nations.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) supports individuals, community groups, non-profit organizations and First Nations across British Columbia with legal help to protect the environment. It funds lawyers, experts and dispute-resolution work for legal advice, litigation and mediation.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Legal advice and representation on environmental issues, including a legal opinion to help you understand your options and relevant laws
- Traditional litigation, including going to court
- Participation in administrative tribunals
- Participation in alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as mediation, consultation, joint rule-making or binding arbitration
- Hiring a scientific, Indigenous or other expert to gather evidence to support your legal efforts
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Letter from your lawyer or expert
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individuals, community groups, grassroots movements, non-profit organizations, and First Nations.
Who is not eligible
- Businesses and organizations seeking support for general operating costs
- Applicants seeking funding for non-legal campaign expenses
- Applicants seeking support for criminal defense
- Applicants seeking assistance to purchase land
Eligible expenses
- Lawyers’ fees
- Fees of scientific, Indigenous or other experts
- Fees of mediators or other specialists in alternative dispute resolution
- Fees of articling students
- Reasonable disbursements incurred by a lawyer or expert such as filing fees, copying, postage, or travel, where included in the grant budget
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- General operating expenses
- Non-legal campaign expenses
- Adverse cost awards
- Purchase of land
- Defense against criminal charges
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
- Grant recipients with the ability to run a broader community-based campaign, including raising funds towards a client contribution towards their legal fees, will be given priority.
How to apply
- Contact the Access to Justice team before filling out an application form.
- Download the application form at the bottom of the page.
- Submit by email to legalaid@wcel.org.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the EDRF Management Committee on a periodic basis.
- We may ask you for further information about your campaign or legal strategy.
- The Committee reviews your application and makes a decision to fund, decline, or defer your application.
- The committee’s decision is usually three weeks after the application deadline.
- EDRF staff need your written approval to pay funds out of your EDRF grant, and when the work described in the grant is completed, a reporting letter is required from the recipient’s lawyer to close the file.
Additional information
- WCEL sets 5 regular application intake dates each year, posted on its website.
- The committee can review applications on an emergency basis when time is of the essence.
- WCEL can assist applicants in completing their application forms.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) Program
What is the The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF)?
The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) supports individuals, community groups, non-profit organizations and First Nations across British Columbia with legal help to protect the environment. It funds lawyers, experts and dispute-resolution work for legal advice, litigation and mediation.
How much funding can be received?
The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) Funds up to $50,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) program?
To be eligible for the The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) program, you must:
The applicant must have an agreement to work with a lawyer.
The applicant's environmental legal needs must be eligible for funding.
What expenses are eligible under The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF)?
Legal advice and representation on environmental issues, including a legal opinion to help you understand your options and relevant laws
Traditional litigation, including going to court
Participation in administrative tribunals
Participation in alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as mediation, consultation, joint rule-making or binding arbitration
Hiring a scientific, Indigenous or other expert to gather evidence to support your legal efforts
Who can I contact for more information about the The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF)?
You can contact WCEL (WCEL) by email at legalaid@wcel.org or by phone at 604-684-7378 ext. 229.
Where is the The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) available?
The The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF) is a Grant and Funding