Environmental funding programs

Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

Indigenous Peoples and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) play a key role in wildlife conservation. This fund supports Indigenous capacity with respect to species at risk and funds projects that prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern.

More information on the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives

This funding program aims to improve the health, productivity and long-term sustainability of ecosystems in Atlantic Canada. The program supports projects that use an ecosystem-based approach that includes partnerships and collaboration and that leads to positive environmental results.  We fund projects that:

• enhance integrated ecosystem planning and decision-making
• increase ecosystem knowledge and science
• restore and enhance the health of priority ecosystems in Atlantic Canada

More information on the Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives

Community Interaction Program

This funding program promotes community projects that conserve and improve the St. Lawrence ecosystem and is part of the St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011-2026.

More information on the Community Interaction Program

Community Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk

Part of Canada’s Nature Fund, this program funds projects with multiple partners working together to conserve species at risk and their habitat.

More information on the Community Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk

EcoAction Community Funding Program

This program provides financial support to non-profit and non-government organizations for local action-based projects that produce measurable, positive effects on the environment. This year, projects must address fresh water environmental priorities listed in the call for proposals. We fund projects that:

• lead to tangible environmental results
• engage the community to improve the environment
• increase environmental awareness and capacity in communities

More information on the EcoAction Community Funding Program

Environmental Damages Fund

The Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) is administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit Canada’s natural environment. The EDF helps to ensure that environmental good follows environmental harm by supporting projects with measurable outcomes in Canadian communities.

More information on the Environmental Damages Fund.

Great Lakes Protection Initiative

This initiative addresses the most significant environmental challenges affecting Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health. The projects we fund help us deliver on Canada’s commitments under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to:

• restore areas of concern
• prevent toxic and nuisance algae
• reduce releases of harmful chemicals
• engage Indigenous Peoples
• engage the public through citizen science

More information on the Great Lakes Protection Initiative

Habitat Stewardship Program

This program funds projects that contribute directly to the recovery of species at risk and prevent others from becoming a conservation concern. Environment and Climate Change Canada administers the funding for terrestrial stewardship projects. Fisheries and Oceans Canada administers the funding for aquatic stewardship projects.

More information on the Habitat Stewardship Program

Increasing Knowledge on Plastic Pollution Initiative

This initiative will address knowledge gaps related to the potential human health effects and ecotoxicology of plastics in Canada. It will increase capacity, leverage collaborative partnerships and generate knowledge in support of Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA) with a particular focus on research gaps identified in the Draft Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution.

More information on the Increasing Knowledge on Plastic Pollution Initiative

Lake Winnipeg Basin Program

Large and frequent algal blooms in Lake Winnipeg are the result of high nutrient levels from transboundary sources such as agriculture, industry, municipal wastewater and surface run-off.  To improve the ecological health of the lake and its basin, we funds projects that:

• reduce nutrient loading
• enhance collaboration
• support enhanced engagement of Indigenous Peoples

More information on the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program

Low Carbon Economy Fund

This is a $2 billion funding program over 2017 to 2022 for projects that will reduce emissions, create jobs and save Canadians and companies money by:

• making homes and buildings more efficient
• helping companies innovate or use technologies to reduce their emissions and
• supporting the forest and agriculture sectors to enhance stored carbon in forests and soils.

More information on the Low Carbon Economy Fund

Zero Plastic Waste Initiative

This initiative contributes to Canada’s vision of a zero plastic waste future where plastics stay in the economy and out of the environment. It funds local projects that mobilize Canadians and communities to develop and test solutions to prevent plastics from entering the environment.

More information on the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative