EcoAction Community Funding Program – Applicant’s Guide 2024/2025

EcoAction Community Funding Program

The EcoAction Community Funding Program provides financial support to community groups for action-based projects, with a focus on freshwater, to improve the environment and increase environmental awareness and capacity in the community.

About the Applicant’s Guide

The Applicant’s Guide is designed to assist eligible organizations in applying to the EcoAction Community Funding Program. You are welcome to contact your Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Regional Office if you require clarification on the information contained in this guide.

Program requirements

Core requirements

All projects must clearly demonstrate that activities are measurable and will result in positive environmental impacts. All projects must include:

• activities that will lead to tangible environmental results within the timeframe of the project;
• opportunities for community members to take action;
• at least one (1) environmental indicator and one (1) capacity building indicator as per the list of performance indicators listed in Annex B
• a description of how project results and engagement will be sustained after the completion of EcoAction funding.

Funding requirements

At least 50% of the total value of your project must come from sources other than the Government of Canada. An exception to this requirement are funds from programs for Indigenous Peoples within Indigenous Services Canada. These funds may be included as matching funding for the project.

Please note: Funding from employment support programs within Employment and Social Development Canada are also exempt from this requirement; however, they cannot be used as matching funding for the project. Please contact your Regional Office for more information.

Contributions to your project from sources other than the Government of Canada may be in the form of cash, in-kind support, or a combination of both. In-kind support may include donations of:

• equipment, materials and/or office space
• volunteer time for project activities, coordination or professional services
• expertise from consultants, Elders or academics
• incentives, e.g., discounts offered on purchased items and services
• any other donated goods or services that contribute to covering the costs of the project

For example, a company may donate $500 worth of native perennial plants or members of a local community group may volunteer 400 hours of their time to work on your project. These are considered in-kind contributions toward your project and are attributed a fair market monetary value.

Please note: The value of the land on which work will be completed and/or the purchase of land cannot be considered as part of the matched funding requirement for the project.

Community support and involvement requirements

Project proposals must demonstrate support and involvement of community members. The EcoAction Community Funding Program is designed to provide Canadians with a way to become involved in the creation of more sustainable communities through the delivery of action-based projects that yield measurable, positive environmental results. Through funded projects, Canadians are equipped with the tools they need to act on their knowledge and values as individuals and members of communities in support of environmental sustainability.

For example, an applicant submitting a community project aimed at improving watershed health and water quality by engaging landowners and volunteers is encouraged to submit, along with their application, letters demonstrating support including cash and/or in-kind contributions from the community and their project partners.

Applicants are encouraged to include a Knowledge Transfer component to their project. Knowledge Transfer is “a process of sharing information, experience or knowledge, during an EcoAction funded project, which encourages sustainable behaviour changes for the protection of fresh water in Canada.”

General applicant and application information

Who may apply?

Non-profit and non-governmental groups and organizations are eligible to receive funding through the EcoAction Community Funding Program. Examples of eligible groups include:

• environmental groups
• community groups
• youth and seniors groups
• community-based associations
• service clubs

Indigenous organizations such as governments, boards, commissions, communities, associations and authorities are also eligible to receive funding, including:

• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations
• District councils, Chiefs councils, Treaty councils, and Tribal councils

The following groups are not eligible but are encouraged to partner with eligible organizations to support a project proposal:

• businesses
• educational institutions
• C3 organizations
• Crown corporations
• individuals
• municipal, provincial, and territorial governments

What projects may be funded?

Your project must address the following freshwater Priority Result:

Canadians contribute to improving freshwater quality through actions that reduce harmful substances in fresh water and/or restore and protect freshwater ecosystem health.

Projects focused on brackish water and saltwater activities will not be considered for funding.

The EcoAction Community Funding Program funds projects that have a local, regional or national scope.

What are the maximum and minimum of EcoAction contributions?

EcoAction can provide a funding contribution of up to 50% of eligible project expenditures up to a maximum of $100,000. The minimum funding request is $25,000.

For every dollar you receive from the Government of Canada, including the EcoAction Community Funding Program, you must obtain at least the same amount from non-federal government partners. This includes cash contributions and in-kind support. Please note: All contributor funding used to meet the 1:1 matching funding requirement must be incurred during the ECCC funding project dates.

Requests for EcoAction funding that exceed $100,000 or are less than $25,000 will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

What is the maximum duration of a project?

The maximum duration of EcoAction funding to a project is 36 consecutive months. Applications for EcoAction funding in excess of 36 months will be deemed ineligible. At the end of the 36-month timeframe, projects will be required to report on their project outcomes and results associated with EcoAction indicators. Please ensure that the target project indicators included in your application are achievable within the timeframe of EcoAction funding. When completing your application in GCEMS, you will be asked to explain how targets were calculated.

We anticipate that EcoAction funding will not start before summer 2024; however the project may start earlier than this time using funds from other contributors. Please note: any and all project funding used prior to, or after, the approved EcoAction funding period cannot be considered as part of the matching funding contribution.

What project costs are eligible?

The following project costs are eligible under EcoAction:

• human resource costs, including salaries and benefits
• contractors
• management and professional service costs (e.g., accounting, audit, liability insurance costs directly attributed to carrying out the project, monitoring, legal or other professional fees, translation)
• travel and field costs (based on Government of Canada rates: NJC Travel Directive)
• materials and supplies costs
• communication, production, distribution and printing costs;
• equipment purchase or rental costs
• vehicle rental and operation costs
• a reasonable share of overhead and/or administrative costs (e.g., office supplies, rent) directly attributed to project delivery

For examples of expenditures for each of the above listed categories, please see Annex B.

What projects, activities and costs cannot be funded?

The following projects, activities, and costs are not eligible for EcoAction funding:

• projects already underway*
• continuation of projects previously funded by EcoAction (if the project is a subsequent phase of a previously completed project, it must be clear how this phase has a different set of project goals, objectives, indicators, costs and activities)
• ongoing programs and activities offered by your organization
• activities required by law and/or mandated by any levels of government
• projects related to the enforcement of, or compliance with, by-laws in effect
• projects designed only to beautify an area
• project activities that fall under the mandate of other government funding programs, including other ECCC funding programs*
• political lobbying, advocacy or fundraising activities (or those activities that may be perceived as such)*
• purchase of a vehicle (can however be used as matching funding from other contributors for the portion used for project activities as stated in the application)
• incentives and rebates (can however be used as matching funding from other contributors);
• further disbursement of funds to a third party recipient (i.e., micro grants) (can however be used as matching funding from other contributors)
• projects outside of Canada
• Projects primarily focused on and/or expenses associated with:
  • the purchase of capital assets (i.e., a tangible asset costing $10,000 or more and has a useful life of more than one year)
  • studies, research and monitoring activities (environmental issues to be addressed via project activities should already be known and researched and the applicant ready to take measurable and positive actions)
  • planning
  • the preparation of formal curriculum materials
  • core organizational functions (e.g., meetings, maintenance and administration);
  • annual or regular organizational events/campaigns
  • attending general conferences
  • recreational purposes
  • the construction of infrastructure (e.g., buildings, roads and bridges) with the exception of projects related to natural infrastructure (wetlands, publically accessible rain gardens, etc.);
  • the decontamination of sites
  • land acquisition (the value of the land on which work will be completed and/or the purchase of land cannot be considered as part of the matched funding requirement for the Program)

* For details on ineligible project activities and expenditures related to projects underway, activities mandated by law, and political lobbying, advocacy and fundraising activities, please see Annex C.

If you are unsure about the eligibility of your project, project activities or related costs, please contact your ECCC Regional Office.

How do you apply?

You are encouraged to submit your application in the official language of your choice. All applications must be submitted using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS). Should you be unable to submit your application using this platform, or if you are experiencing challenges using GCEMS please contact your ECCC Regional Office for alternative submission options.

Step 1. Prepare your online application package

The application form must be completed using GCEMS which includes a technical guide to assist you when using this tool. Please ensure you allow yourself ample time to enter all of the project information into the system before the application deadline. Please also refer to Annex B for detailed instructions on information to include in your application in GCEMS.

For examples of previously funded projects, we encourage you to refer to the EcoAction Map.

Step 2. Submit your completed application via GCEMS

Applications will only be accepted through the ECCC online application system, GCEMS*.

* Note:

• All applications must be completed and submitted via GCEMS, unless otherwise discussed with an ECCC Regional Office
• Packages will not be accepted via email, mail, and fax or by building security, unless otherwise discussed with an ECCC Regional Office
• Additional information received after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration with the exception of letters of support confirming contributor funding and partnerships already identified in your application, which may be submitted after the deadline via email to your ECCC Regional Office

For any questions, please consult with your ECCC Regional Office.

What makes for a strong application?

A strong application includes the following elements:

• enhances, restores, conserves and/or protects the environment;
• includes objectives that are realistic, achievable and measurable;
• clearly demonstrates the linkage of the funding request and associated activities to the Fresh Water Priority Result and selected indicator results;
• demonstrates direct and measurable environmental benefit and describes how that benefit will be sustained beyond EcoAction funding completion;
• provides an opportunity for community members to become actively engaged in the project activities and educates them on environmental issues;
• clearly demonstrates that the group has the ability to carry out the project;
• demonstrates good value for money;
• includes information related to permits and technical information to ensure reviewers are able to evaluate the feasibility of the project, its technical merit, environmental benefits, and compliance with jurisdictional requirements;
• if applicable, includes supporting documentation to adequately evaluate project activities or information to conduct an environmental screening;
• has a strong community engagement and education component including the methodology to measure the extent to which behavioural change will be achieved within the timeframe of the project, e.g., pre- and post-project surveys; and
• includes a Knowledge Transfer component. Knowledge Transfer is described as “a process of sharing information, experience or knowledge, during an EcoAction funded project, which encourages sustainable behaviour changes for the protection of fresh water in Canada.”

What will happen next?

Review

EcoAction project funding decisions are based on an annual open Call for Proposal process. If received by the deadline, your completed application will go through a three-stage review process:

Stage 1

Administrative review by program staff to confirm eligibility. Projects that are deemed not eligible will be notified at the end of this stage.

Some criteria that may deem a project ineligible include:

• eligibility of the applicant
• duration of project
• minimum/maximum funding amount requested
• at least one environmental indicator and one capacity building indicator has not been selected;
• matching funding requirements
• project location

Stage 2

Technical review by subject-matter experts to confirm scientific and technical feasibility of your project.

Stage 3

Regional review and assessment of eligible projects by program staff. Projects are assessed against, but are not limited to, the following criteria:

• relevance of the project to the achievement of the program Priority Result and how realistic it is for the project to achieve that Priority Result
• demonstration of the feasibility of achieving positive environmental impact at the end of the project (e.g., demonstrates clear environmental benefits and, where applicable, social, economic and health benefits)
• demonstration of how the project will respond to clearly defined and demonstrable environmental needs and benefits
• evidence of community involvement and support
• inclusion of a Knowledge Transfer strategy that encourages sustainable behaviour changes;
• feasibility and quality of the work plan and budget for the proposed activities including a description of the issue(s) or problem(s), approach to be taken, attainable expected results and scope
• description of evaluation and performance measures to be implemented (e.g., a clear set of expected, measurable results)
• explanation of the potential for self-sustaining continuity of the project and how benefits to the environment and community will be sustained after the project is completed
• demonstration of strong partnerships and engagement with EcoAction priority groups: Indigenous, Youth, and Small Businesses

Notification

Once departmental conditional approvals have been confirmed, all applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified in writing. If your project is approved in principle, you will be contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of the funding. Federal MPs and/or their team may be advised about the approval in principle of a project and may be provided with information provided in this application including applicant’s name, project title, project description, project location, funding amounts and contact information.

Annex A – Application checklist

Before submitting your application, check to make sure it is complete and eligible by using the following checklist:

• applicant is eligible
• request is a minimum of $25,000 up to a maximum of $100,000 in ECCC EcoAction funding
• at least 50% of the total project value comes from sources other than the Government of Canada
• project is 36 consecutive months or less in duration
• at least one (1) environmental indicator and one (1) capacity building indicator has been selected
• project addresses EcoAction’s Fresh Water Priority Result as listed in the Call for Proposals
• complete and electronically signed application in GCEMS* form, which includes a detailed budget, work plan, communications and evaluation plan with measurable key performance indicators
• project activities are not listed in the section: “what projects, activities and costs cannot be funded”

* Unless other submission arrangements have been made with an ECCC Regional Office.

Annex B – What information to include in the application

For technical support, please refer to the GCEMS Guide and/or email: sgesc-gcems-sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca.

Tombstone data

Provide your organization and contact information, including the full legal name, a brief description of your organization, your organization’s mandate, years of operation, governance structure and management capacity. Provide the main project contact information; this individual must be knowledgeable of the content of the project proposal.

Project summary

In this section, all project information is required, such as the title, expected start and end dates, location, goals/objectives, project description, human resources and project team experience.

Project title

Provide a title for your project.

Start date and end date

Project start dates will vary. We anticipate that EcoAction funding will start no earlier than summer 2024.

Project location

Longitude and latitude: enter the longitude and latitude of the location in which your project activities will take place. If your project activities will take place in multiple locations, enter the main project location or the headquarters of your organization.

Project goals and objectives

Clearly state the objective(s) and goal(s) of the project. Describe how the achievement of the goals will be measured.

Project description

Provide a summary description of your project, showing the link between the project, the stated goals and the program objectives.

Project team experience

Describe any relevant qualifications and experience of the project team members to demonstrate the organization’s skills, knowledge and capacity to carry out the proposed project.

Financial capacity

Describe your organization's financial capacity to undertake this project. This could include defining the other sources of funding for your project.

Project management capacity

Describe your organization's experience in managing and delivering projects. Identify relevant qualifications and experience of the project team members to demonstrate the group’s experience and capacity to carry out the project.

EcoAction community funding program – 2024/2025

Complete this module to add more specific information about your project not already included in the Project summary section.

Environmental issue

Describe the environmental issue your project will address and its link to the 2024-2025 key environmental priority of Fresh Water (approximately 500 words).

Project need

Describe why the project is needed within the local, regional and/or national context including any current actions that have been undertaken to address this environmental issue by your organization or others (approximately 500 words).

Add current and relevant baseline information that is informing your project need and supporting activities and key performance indicators. You may reference research, studies, regional plans developed by regional stakeholders, etc.

Project distinction

Please describe how this project is incremental or differs from your organization's core and/or current activities. For additional guidance on this question, please refer to Annex C.

EcoAction priority result

Describe how the proposed project activities will deliver positive environmental results related to the priority result.

EcoAction priority groups

Preference will be given to proposals that engage Indigenous Peoples, youth (up to 24 years of age), and/or partner with small businesses.

Identify the ECCC priority groups that your project engages by selecting “Yes” or “No” in the drop-down menu. For each selected priority group, provide in the text box one or two sentences describing how the proposed project activities would support collaboration, engagement and participation. Note that buying from a small business is not considered as partnership and engagement with small businesses. The priority group has to be involved in achieving the project objectives to be considered engaged. For example, a local market may support the project by hosting workshops on water conservation.

Project purpose

Please complete the following sentence summarizing your project’s purpose, “This freshwater project will…” (answer in 50 words or less).

Your sentence should include the project location and a clear summary of key project goals.

Example: This freshwater project will improve water quality through restoration and improvement of freshwater aquatic habitat in the (name of location) watershed by (list main activities).

Project activity work plan

This section allows you to include all necessary activities related to the project work plan (approximately 8-15 activities). In addition to an activity title and description of the activity, provide the expected result of the activity (i.e., please include the reason you are conducting this activity, the desired outcome and the measurable result). For activity description and expected result entries, provide approximately 100 words per activity; no more than 250 words.

Lastly, for each activity, identify the general timeframe of the activity (start and end dates).

For recurring activities, please list that activity one time indicating the original activity start date and final activity end date. For these recurring activities, please list expected results per individual fiscal year.

Permits

It is your responsibility to verify requirements and obtain any permits and/or approvals from other federal, provincial/territorial and/or municipal governments prior to the commencement of activities. The required permits and authorizations for the project must be identified in this section, if applicable. Start by confirming the requirement for any permits and authorizations by selecting “Yes” or “No” in the drop-down menu. If you select yes, list all permits and indicate whether they have been obtained. If not yet obtained, ensure the timeline for obtaining these approvals are included in your project’s work plan.

Please identify if your project, or a portion of your project will take place on Federal Lands, as defined below by selecting “Yes” or “No”. According to the Impact Assessment Act, federal lands are defined as:

1. lands that belong to Her Majesty in right of Canada, or that Her Majesty in right of Canada has the power to dispose of, and all waters on and airspace above those lands, other than lands under the administration and control of the Commissioner of Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut;
2. the following lands and areas:
   1. the internal waters of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province;
   2. the territorial sea of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province;
   3. the exclusive economic zone of Canada;
   4. the continental shelf of Canada; and,
3. reserves, surrendered lands and any other lands that are set apart for the use and benefit of a band and that are subject to the Indian Act, and all waters on and airspace above those reserves or lands. (territoire domanial)

Project communications plan

Describe how the community will be informed of project activity results and/or be invited to participate in project activities (approximately five activities). Include a list of communication products that will be created and released (e.g., public events, news releases, publications, websites, social media, etc.). For activity description and expected result entries, provide approximately 100 words per activity; no more than 250 words.

For recurring activities, please list that activity one time indicating the original activity start date and final activity end date. For these recurring activities, please list expected results per individual fiscal year.

Applicants are encouraged to include a knowledge transfer component to their project. Knowledge transfer is described as “a process of sharing information, experience or knowledge, during an EcoAction funded project, which encourages sustainable behaviour changes for the protection of fresh water in Canada.” In the communications plan section describe the knowledge transfer component of your project and link it to the capacity building indicators: # of participants and # of people reached.

Project evaluation plan

Outline the methodology that will be used to measure the project's expected results and key performance indicators (approximately five activities). For activity description and expected result entries, provide approximately 100 words per activity; no more than 250 words.

For recurring activities, please list that activity one time indicating the original activity start date and final activity end date. For these recurring activities, please list expected results per individual fiscal year.

Note: projects that have strong community engagement and education components must include a methodology to measure the extent to which behavioural change will be achieved (e.g., before and after surveys).

Key performance indicators

Select all EcoAction key performance indicators that apply to your project and present the target value as a whole number for each of the selected key performance indicators that the project will be measured against and describe how these estimates were calculated in the related text box. Please review the unit of measurement required by the Program. Note that Program indicators refer to hectares and not m². Please ensure that your target project indicators are achievable within the timeframe of EcoAction funding. Your project must include at least one (1) environmental indicator and one (1) capacity building indicator.

Please note: Should your project receive funding, it is expected that all indicators and measurements of indicators identified in your application will be included in the Contribution Agreement as expected achievements of your project. Should variances be identified in the negotiation, funding may be reduced. It is expected that you will be able to report on all estimated indicators at the conclusion of EcoAction funding.

Environmental indicators

The EcoAction Community Funding Program provides financial support to community groups for action-based projects, with a focus on freshwater, to improve the environment and increase environmental awareness and capacity in the community.

Capacity building indicators

Other project indicators

List any additional indicators which will/could result from your project activities (approximately 500 words).

Project environmental sustainability

Explain how benefits to the environment and your community will be maintained after the project is completed. Applicants are encouraged to include a knowledge transfer strategy, where appropriate, to encourage sustainable behaviour changes for the protection of fresh water in Canada (approximately 500 words).

Secondary project contact

Contact must be knowledgeable on the content of the application. Contact should be different than the one listed under Module 1 - Tombstone data.

Other information

Knowledge transfer

Knowledge transfer is a process of sharing information, experience or knowledge, during an EcoAction funded project, which encourages sustainable behaviour changes for the protection of fresh water in Canada.

There are many formal and informal methods that may be used for knowledge creation and knowledge transfer. Please explain the way in which knowledge will be created and shared in your project.

Some methods used for knowledge creation could include: Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, surveys, community-level discussions and project data collection, among others.

Knowledge may be transferred or shared with impacted groups. Some examples may include: storytelling, educational workshops, project reports and social media posts, among others.

Materials produced in other languages

Some projects may work with populations who speak a language other than French or English. Translation costs are eligible expenditures for EcoAction projects and may be included within your project budget.

Persons with disabilities

Disability is an umbrella term, covering impairments (including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment), activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. For more information please refer to the Federal Disability Reference Guide and the Summary of the Accessible Canada Act.

If applicable to your project, please confirm if persons with disabilities will be able to contribute, participate and be involved in project activities.

Project budget

You must clearly state the total amount of ECCC funding that is being requested for your project. The maximum contribution per project for EcoAction is $100,000 and the minimum is $25,000. Requests for EcoAction funding that exceed $100,000 or are less than $25,000 will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

The maximum duration of EcoAction funding contribution to a project is 36 consecutive months. Applications for EcoAction contributions in excess of 36 months will not be considered.

We anticipate that EcoAction funding will not start before summer 2024; however the project may start earlier than this time using other contributors’ funding. Please note: Any and all project funding used prior to the start or after the completion date of EcoAction funding cannot be considered as part of the matching funding contribution.

At least 50% of the total value of your project must come from sources other than the Government of Canada. Some exceptions apply; please see funding requirements section on Page 4.

Please note: It is strongly recommended to complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours prior to the deadline; applications unable to be submitted by the deadline due to budget errors may not be considered.

If you experience any difficulty reconciling the contributor and expenditure summaries, please contact the GCEMS Support Team by email at sgesc-gcems-sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca, and include your four-digit application ID number.

Please note, as you add expenditures in GCEMS, you will see a series of errors. These do not affect your ability to continue completing the budget.

Contributor

Present all sources of funding for the project, including funds requested from ECCC in this application. Include the contributor’s name, the contributor’s type and the funding amount (for both cash and in-kind) per fiscal year.

EcoAction projects are normally non-revenue generating; however, incidental production of revenue can be permitted provided that it is used to offset project costs.

Expenditures

Present your project expenditures for each fiscal year. You have the ability to describe the detailed expense in the “expenditure description” section. The “expenditure description” section should be used to include the following (but not limited to) details:

• an itemized expenditure description can include the number of unit(s), unit cost and total cost
  • Example 1:
    Expenditure type: materials and supplies
    Expenditure description: trees $X/unit, XX units in total
  • Example 2:
    Expenditure type: salaries & wages
    Expenditure description: Project coordinator $XX/hour for XX hours, Technician $XX/hour for XX hours, Biologist $XX/hour for XX hours
• an estimate of all expenses and in-kind donations at fair market value (using the standard rate for a product or service in your area)
• a calculation of all volunteer time at fair market value as in-kind contribution
• costs of employer contributions made on behalf of employees, such as benefits and mandatory employment related costs (MERCs)
• costs associated with Official Languages activities and/or products
• costs associated with obtaining permits

Eligible expenditures include any GST/HST that is not reimbursable by the Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces.

Other supporting information

Other relevant information

The following information is recommended, but is not required at time of application:

• any additional information that will enhance a proposal (e.g., research, photos, sketches, maps)
• letter of support from the First Nation for projects engaging, or involving Indigenous communities
• landowner support letter(s) where restoration activities will occur on private property, confirming that the group has permission to undertake activities on the property
• community organization support letter(s) endorsing the project

Letters of support confirming cash or in-kind support from project contributors, including amounts, are only required should your project be selected for funding. Letters confirming cash and in-kind support, including amounts, will be required before an agreement can be signed.

Official languages

Under the Official Languages Act of Canada (OLA), the Government of Canada is committed to enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada, and fostering full recognition and use of both languages in Canadian society. Under the OLA, the two official languages in Canada are English and French. In accordance with the OLA, you may need to offer services to the public in both official languages, depending on the project location and/or the target audience.

To determine if your project will be delivered in a geographic area with an official language minority community, contact your ECCC regional office or consult the Official Languages minority communities map available through GCEMS. The EcoAction Community Funding Program funds eligible translation costs associated with this requirement, as long as they are included in your project’s budget. For more information on the requirements under the OLA, please contact your ECCC regional office.

Certification

Ensure that the certification/electronic signature module is completed by an authorized individual of your organization.

Annex C – Additional guidance on ineligible project activities

Activities required by law and/or mandated by other levels of government

EcoAction cannot fund activities required by law and/or mandated by other levels of government (i.e., municipal and provincial), including, but not limited to:

• Formal curriculum materials, defined as planned program objectives, content, learning experiences, resources and assessment offered by provincially/territorially funded schools. Educational programs and resources produced independently of the Ministry of Education and not required to be used by teachers or in schools are considered non-formal, and may be eligible for funding.
• Core/required operational costs belonging to a program mandated by law, for example, municipal water treatment activities.
• Installation and/or verification of compliance of septic tanks with regulations or bylaws on properties, if municipal regulations require owners to install such systems.
• Activities required by provincial regulation related to agricultural practices, such as the construction of cattle exclusion fencing around riparian areas, when such fencing is required by legislation.
• Clean-up activities mandated by law, such as cleaning shoreline debris resulting from overboard shipping containers, or remediation and/or restoration of contaminated sites (e.g., spills) when mandated by law or otherwise, as the landowner or group responsible for the contamination are usually legally responsible for their own material/recovery operations and remediation.

Examples provided above are for demonstrative purposes only. Applicants are responsible for conducting the necessary research to determine if law mandates any of the activities listed in their application, and clarifying in their application how they differ (if applicable). It is strongly recommended that applicants verify the federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal legislation and regulations relating to the project’s activities and/or location(s). In all cases, projects must meet all other eligibility criteria and clearly show how their goals, objectives, and activities fully align with EcoAction’s priority result.

Note: Projects that include activities mandated by law may be considered eligible if non-EcoAction funds are identified for those activities. Projects that include activities that may be required or mandated by other levels of government are to be assessed by the program on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.

Projects already under way, the duplication/continuation of projects, and ongoing core organizational activities

EcoAction can only fund new projects and/or new phases of a project. The continuation of existing projects, whether funded by EcoAction or not, are not eligible for funding.

In order for a new phase of a project to be eligible, applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project is distinct from previous projects/phases. The proposed new phase must:

• have distinct beginning and end dates
• have distinct goals and objectives that clearly differentiate the phases as different projects
• track the performance indicators specifically from the new phases’ activities

Attributes that can help determine a new phase of a project, rather than continuation or duplication, include:

• the same activities in a different geographic location than previous projects (EcoAction or otherwise)
• new activities in the same geographic location as previous projects
• an expanded scope of activities in the same or different geographic location and/or
• new/expanded performance indicators

Applicants are responsible for clearly demonstrating how the proposed project is a new phase and/or differs from ongoing core organizational activities. Failure to effectively demonstrate your project is novel or a new phase may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

Lobbying or advocacy

Lobbying or advocacy is an ineligible activity, and is defined by the Program as communicating with public office holders for payment, with regard to:

• the making, developing or amending of federal legislative proposals, bills or resolutions, regulations, policies or programs
• the awarding of federal grants, contributions or other financial benefits and/or
• the awarding of a federal government contract (for consultant lobbyists only)

Note: Applicants undertaking research as part of their project activities with the intention to share final research products with public office holders may not constitute lobbying or advocacy, and may be considered eligible.

Contact us

Environment and Climate Change Canada EcoAction regional offices

Atlantic & Québec Region
Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Québec
E-mail: EcoAction.Quebec.Atlantic@ec.gc.ca

Ontario Region
E-mail: EcoAction.Ontario@ec.gc.ca

West & North Region
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon
E-mail: ecoactionouestnord-ecoactionwestnorth@ec.gc.ca

Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS)
For GCEMS technical assistance:
E-mail: sgesc-gcems-sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca