Backgrounder

Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program

Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program supports community-based projects that have measurable, positive impacts on the environment. Funded projects engage Canadians in their communities to take action to protect our air, climate, water and nature.

The program provides funding to successful applicants for projects that protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future. Hundreds of EcoAction projects are currently underway or have been completed across Canada over the years.

Applicants must ensure that at least 50 per cent of the total value of their project comes from sources other than the federal government.  This leveraging can take the form of either financial or in-kind resources such as volunteered labour, products, or services. Partner funding and other support broaden the scope of projects, improve on-the-ground results, and strengthen the public and private collaboration that is essential to involving all Canadians.

Some of the funded activities include projects aimed at reducing individual greenhouse gas emissions by reducing consumption and taking steps to improve their home energy efficiency; improving water quality by reducing the amount of pesticides or household hazardous substances entering streams and lakes; working to reduce air emissions that contribute to air pollution; and restoring and protecting natural habitat.  These are a few of the ways that Canadians are improving the environment in their communities with the help of the EcoAction Community Funding Program.

This year, in support of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, the EcoAction Community Funding Programgave funding priority to 60 biodiversity-related project proposals, representing 50 per cent of the total funding. These projects will reduce biodiversity loss, protect wildlife and improve their habitat, and increase urban re-naturalization. The other half of the EcoAction funding will support action on clean air, clean water and greenhouse gas reductions.

More information about the EcoAction Community Funding Program is available on Environment Canada’s website at the following address: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.