Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative

Overview

As part of the Federal Freshwater Action Plan, the Government of Canada is taking action to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems of national significance through Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives (FEIs) that support partner-led actions addressing regional freshwater challenges and priorities. The Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will provide financial support for eligible projects that improve the water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Fraser River Basin.

Eligibility

Eligible projects

The Fraser River FEI will fund projects implemented by domestic partners within the Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin that address water quality and aquatic ecosystem health and at least one of the following program priorities:

• Advancing Science and Knowledge
• Collaboration and Engagement
• Taking Action to reduce Nutrients and Sediments

1.     Advancing Science and Knowledge: Projects that collect, analyze, share and/or use information to increase knowledge and/or understanding of stressors threatening water quality and aquatic ecosystem health, including nutrients, sediments, and/or other contaminants.

Types of projects that may be funded include:

• Measuring, monitoring (including community-based monitoring), or analysis of:
  • the impacts on ecosystem health
  • ecosystem changes or trends including climate-related factors
  • multiple stressors and related cumulative effects
• Identifying or addressing data and research gaps
• Indigenous-led efforts that enable knowledge sharing and foster a more holistic understanding, including through:
  • storytelling, youth engagement, and intergenerational knowledge transfer
  • gathering Indigenous Knowledge (also called Traditional Knowledge) and applying Indigenous Knowledge systems to inform actions and decision-making
  • opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to bring together diverse knowledge systems and perspectives to inform actions and decision-making
• Development, testing and/or demonstration of innovative tools, technologies and techniques to improve water quality and ecosystem health; and
• Knowledge mobilization efforts

2.     Collaboration and Engagement: Projects that encourage engagement and strengthen collaborative opportunities to identify priorities, inform decision making and develop strategies focused on improving water quality and aquatic ecosystem health.

Types of projects that may be funded include:

• Opportunities that enable collaborative approaches and activities to strengthen shared decision making and inform strategies and/or action plans
• Opportunities for Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous communities, and/or organizations to build relationships and work collaboratively to identify common priorities and build relationships; and
• Facilitating or enabling knowledge sharing and multi-partner collaborative processes that identify priorities and develop strategies at various scales (e.g. assessments of stressors, state of ecosystem reporting, action plans, etc.)

3.     Taking Action to Reduce Nutrients and Sediments: Projects that protect water quality and improve aquatic ecosystem health by implementing on-the-ground actions that reduce nutrients and/or sediments.

Types of projects that may be funded include:

• Implementation of beneficial management practices that reduce nutrient and/or sediment loading; and
• Other actions that protect and/or restore water quality and aquatic ecosystem health and achieve increased resiliency

Projects not eligible for funding

The following types of projects are not eligible for funding under the Fraser River FEI:

• Monitoring and data collection as stand-alone projects. These projects must be part of an overall trend analysis, or integrated planning process
• Projects that have a single-issue ‘action’ focus such as stream clean-ups, attending conferences, training, workshops and meetings
• Projects that are focused solely on water quantity, groundwater, or marine/estuary environments
• Projects designed only to beautify an area
• The purchase of land
• Projects required by law and/or mandated by a level of government; and
• Capital or operating costs of infrastructure projects (e.g. dikes, sewers, sewage treatment plants, storm water ponds)

Eligible applicants

Canadian-based organizations are eligible to apply and include:

• Domestic not-for-profit organizations such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations.
• Domestic Indigenous governments, organizations, boards, communities, and associations.
• Domestic coalitions and networks of organizations.
• Domestic research, academic and educational institutions.
• Domestic regional, municipal and local governments.
• Local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs.
• Domestic for-profit organizations such as small businesses with less than 100 employees, companies, corporations, industry associations; and agricultural organizations.

Although federal, and provincial governments are not eligible funding recipients, they are encouraged to partner with applicants on projects.

Eligible project costs

The following project costs are eligible:

• Human resource costs, including salaries and benefits.
• Management and professional service costs such as accounting, monitoring, communications, official language translation, audit, and legal fees.
• Hospitality, travel and venues/conference expenses that are attributed directly to carrying out the project (in accordance with the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Directives on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures.
  • Hospitality expenditures can include costs related to Indigenous ceremonial offerings to be utilized or consumed during meetings or ceremonies such as traditional medicines, cultural foods, tea, and sacred plants.
• Costs associated with an Indigenous participation or ceremony.
• Monetary Honoraria offered to Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers related to specific participation activities which may include but not are not limited to translation and interpretative costs, leading a traditional opening/closing ceremony and/or prayer, the sharing of Traditional Knowledge and protocols, (including spiritual advice to individuals), and demonstrating traditional art and other practices.
• Materials and supplies costs.
• Printing, production, and distribution costs.
• Equipment and Capital Assets purchase or rental.
• Vehicle rental and operation costs.
• Contractors required to perform activities related to the project.
• A reasonable share (20% or less) of overhead and/or administrative costs directly attributed to project delivery.
• Any GST/HST that is not reimbursable by the Canada Revenue Agency and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces.

The following project costs are ineligible:

• Expenditures related to lobbyist fees
• Equipment and Capital Assets purchase or rental for for-profit recipients; and
• Costs associated with land securement.

Funding details

Projects are eligible for funding up to a maximum of $200,000 per project. Projects can be single or multi-year in nature but must be completed by March 31, 2027.  

The current request for proposals is for projects that will begin during the 2025/26 Fiscal Year. Projects that are not funded can be re-submitted through a future call for proposals.

Matching Requirements

At least 30% of the total project support must be obtained from sources other than the Government of Canada. Employment support programs within Employment and Social Development Canada and programs for Indigenous peoples within Indigenous Services Canada are exempt from this requirement. Other sources of funding may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, 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. 
• Any other donated goods or services that contribute to covering the costs of the project.

Geographic location

Canadian portion of the Fraser River Basin (British Columbia).

Performance indicators

Project proponents are required to report on all relevant key performance indicators from the list below. It is recommended that groups identify all indicators that apply to the project and explain how the target numbers were calculated.

• Number of activities supporting collaborative priority-setting and decision-making (# of actions)
• Number of events that provide opportunity for increased collaboration (# of events)
• Number of events supporting knowledge transfer and sharing (# of events)
• Number of partner organizations engaged in project activities (# of organizations)
• Number of youth engaged in project activities (# of youth)
• Number of sites with enhanced monitoring (# of sites)
• Area of land restored/conserved (# of hectares)
• Number of Indigenous-led activities that enable freshwater stewardship and/or the intergenerational transfer of knowledge (# of activities)
• Number of mitigation measures and/or management practices implemented (# of mitigation measures and/or management practices)
• Number of partner organizations contributing financial and/or in-kind resources (# of partners/organizations)
• Number of decision-support tools developed and/or implemented (# of tools)
• Number of reports/papers compiled and published (# of reports/papers)
• Number of jobs created (# jobs)

Evaluation criteria

Eligible applications will be assessed against, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• Demonstrates strong linkages to the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative priorities. The application must clearly demonstrate how the project will contribute to desired outcomes for one of the three program priorities and demonstrate the need for the project and its importance for the health of the Fraser River Basin.
• Builds partnerships through collaboration with other organizations. Contributions of the various partners and project collaborators need to be clearly described in the application including the benefits derived from these collaborations such as increased capacity and/or expertise and/or resources that are leveraged through these partnerships.
• Is scientifically and/or technically sound. (For projects that include scientific, research, and/or nutrient reduction components.) The application must provide detailed information on methodology and techniques used in order to evaluate the merit of the project. It must demonstrate the project will be based on knowledge including sound scientific principles and techniques and/or the use of diverse knowledge systems that inform the techniques and approaches being applied.
• Indigenous-led efforts and/or Knowledge Systems. For these types of projects, applications should describe how Indigenous governments, communities, and/or partners are actively engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Where applicable, details related to how the project enables capacity, knowledge sharing and the desired outcomes resulting from the project should be included.
• Builds on/integrates existing research and Knowledge/Indigenous Knowledge. Project activities are expected to build on existing research and knowledge wherever possible. The Canada Water Agency recognizes the value of both traditional and scientific knowledge and encourages the use of both in any project. A strong application should build on a vast knowledge base from public and private sources in order to undertake activities that achieve greater environmental results.
• Communication of results and knowledge. Applicants are encouraged to seek opportunities for knowledge transfer to partners and/or external stakeholders or user groups in order to extend the reach of project outcomes. A strong application will demonstrate a commitment to share results and findings as to enable benefits to be shared with a wide array of partners and stakeholders and achieve broad impacts throughout the watershed.

Application process

Applicants must submit their project proposal using the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS), Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) online application system. The Applicant Guide is available in GCEMS. Applicants are encouraged to register in GCEMS in advance of the call for application deadline to view the Applicant Guide and begin their application.

Note: The online application system (GCEMS) is shared between CWA and ECCC.  References to ECCC in the system apply to both organizations.

It is strongly recommended that applicants complete the budget in GCEMS 24 hours prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time to resolve any errors. If an application is not submitted by the deadline, it will not be considered.

GCEMS Applicant User Guide: The GCEMS Applicant User Guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to apply for funding, including information on how to create, edit and submit project proposals.  

For technical assistance when using GCEMS: Contact the GCEMS team directly at sgesc-gcems@ec.gc.ca

Selection process

The Fraser River FEI project funding decisions will follow a merit-based competitive process. Eligible projects will be evaluated on the quality and completeness of the application.

Completed applications will undergo a three-stage review process:

1. Administrative review by program staff to confirm eligibility (projects considered not eligible will be notified at the end of this stage).
2. Technical review by subject-matter experts to evaluate scientific and technical feasibility including methodology.
3. An Application Review Committee will ensure that program priorities and criteria are considered in the project evaluation and approval process.

Notification and reporting requirements

All applicants (both successful and unsuccessful) will be notified in writing via email. If your application is approved, you will be contacted to negotiate a Contribution Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of funding. Federal Members of Parliament and/or their team may be advised about the approval of a project and may be provided with information in the project application including applicant’s name, project title, project description, project location, funding amounts and contact information.

Funding is conditional on the successful negotiation of a Contribution Agreement between the applicants and the CWA. Each Contribution Agreement must include written confirmation of all funding sources, a summary of project design, delivery, progress evaluations and anticipated results, as well as a budget forecast. All of these components must be accurately completed before the agreement can be signed.

All approved recipients are required to submit reports to CWA throughout the duration of the project as outlined in the Contribution Agreement. Payments are based on reporting and cannot be made until a report has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by a CWA project officer.

Once a project has finished, a final report is required. The final payment will not be provided (minimum 10% holdback) until a final report has been submitted and approved by CWA.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Contact us

Email:  Fraser@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Related links

• Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System
• Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System Applicant User Guide
• Projects funded under the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative