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Eligibility and process
A. Is Your Organization Eligible?
The Community Interaction Program is for all non-profit non-governmental organizations that have been legally constituted for at least one year and whose chief place of business is in the province of Quebec. Organizations must demonstrate that they have a charter in accordance with Quebec’s Companies Act (Part III) or its equivalent.
Individuals, government departments, government agencies, municipalities, educational institutions and private enterprises are not eligible.
B. Is Your Project Eligible?
Please consult the following tables to find out whether your project is eligible. We do recommend, however, that you consult a project officer, who will be able to help you determine more accurately whether your project and the planned project activities are eligible.
Overall Eligibility
Eligible |
Ineligible |
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The primary goal of the Community Interaction Program is to support community projects linked to regional priorities such as projects described in environmental remedial action plans (ERAPs) to improve the St. Lawrence ecosystem. When a proposal is submitted, the project in question must enjoy direct support from the public and/or local organizations. In addition, the proponent must have formal links with local partners. The target area is defined by the St. Lawrence, by which we mean the water, river bed, shores, coastline, wetlands, barachois, the 600 or so islands and archipelagos, the fluvial lakes near the Ontario border right up to the Estuary and the Gulf. Specifically, we mean the area between Cornwall and Carillon to Blanc-Sablon on the north shore and Gaspé and Chaleur Bay on the south shore, as well as Anticosti, the Magdalen Islands and the Saguenay River. This area also covers sections of tributaries essential to the life cycle of aquatic species in the St. Lawrence River. Initiatives undertaken in these tributary sections must be directly related to the targeted species. |
Projects for which governments are responsible and action is needed pursuant to legislation. Projects for which municipalities are responsible Land or facilities maintenance. Industrial projects and projects for which industry is responsible. Actions that are part of the mandate of organizations in receipt of statutory funding from Environment Canada or Quebec’s Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs. Lobbying activities. Recurrent projects. Activities that are already under way or have been completed. Annual activities, regular events, competitions, benefit activities and the like. Operating costs not linked to projects. The creation of organizations. |
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This list is not exhaustive. Please consult a project officer to determine whether your project and activities are eligible.
C. Project Categories
Eligible projects must fall into one of these categories:
- Awareness-raising
- Study projects
- Study-Action projects
- Enhancement and restoration
NB: A project’s eligibility is contingent upon the proposal being submitted under, and only concerning, a single category. However, organizations may submit a number of proposals by the deadline, provided that one project is not a prerequisite for another.
CATEGORY 1 – AWARENESS-RAISING
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Environment-related awareness-raising and educational activities linked to a well defined environmental problem (solving a problem) which target a particular group in the community and lead to potential action in the short term. As part of the project behavioural changes must be monitered. |
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CATEGORY 2 –
STUDY PROJECTS |
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Study projects linked to a well defined environmental issue for identifying a concrete action to be taken in the field. |
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CATEGORY 3 –
STUDY-ACTION PROJECTS |
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| Study-Action projects pertaining to specific environmental issue for identifying concrete action to be taken in the field, followed by implementation of the appropriate actions | ||||||
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Restoration Restoration projects that arise from a set of well-defined environmental issues directly linked to the St. Lawrence. |
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D. Information on Project Funding
The maximum funding available is up to 70% of the value of eligible expenses to a maximum of :
Categories |
Unsollicited proposals |
Solicited
Proposals |
| Awareness-Raising | 50 000 $ |
100
000 $ |
| Study Projects | 25 000 $ |
N/A |
| Study-Action Projects | 100 000 $ |
200
000 $ |
| Enhancement And Restauration | 100 000 $ |
200 000 $ |
For all categories
Matching funds can be in cash or in kind. However, for projects with a total value above $35 000, matching funds in cash must be at least 10% of the government contribution.
Partnerships
Please note also that partnering with the local community is part of the evaluation criteria for projects and this partnership aspect must be addressed in the project proposal at the time of submission. Complementary funding may come from community organizations, another federal or provincial government department, a municipal government, a non-governmental organization, a business and voluntary contributions (services, labour, materials, equipment loans, donations, etc). While partners may sponsor and support an eligible organization, which will handle project management and implementation, they cannot be the lead agents for a project.
The proponent’s proposal must give the name and contact details and describe the contribution of all partners taking part in, or asked to take part in, the project through the provision of financial, material or human resources. The Partner Identification form in Appendix C can be used to draw up a detailed list.
An agreement will not be signed for any project under the Community Interaction Program until the proponent has submitted all official confirmations of funding, which are required for matched funding. This criterion also applies to partnerships involving the provision of goods or services.
Funding provided under other Environment Canada programs or from Quebec’s Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP) shall be considered as money from the departments responsible for the Community Interaction Program, and as such shall be added to the amount of funding requested so as to comply with eligible funding limits. Funding from other federal and provincial sources can be included as part of the organization and its partners’ matching funds.
For additional information, please contact a project officer.
E. Project Duration
The maximum project duration is 36 months.
F. Submitting A Project
Submitting A Preproposal (Before The Deadline)
Unsolicited proposals : to ensure your project meets program eligibility criteria, we strongly recommend that you submit a preproposal as soon as possible. This will enable you to get feedback on your proposal from a project officer and will ensure that none of the essential components is missing.
Solicited proposals : from time to time, calls for proposals will be initiated with respect to the priorities in the St. Laurence Plan. Be sure to visit the St. Lawrence Plan web site for information on solicitations under way. A preproposal will be mandatory before submitting a solicited proposal. The way to proceed with a solicited proposal will be explained in the call letter.
Submitting A Final Proposal (By The Deadline)
Those of you who submit a preproposal will have to resubmit the entire presentation document with the relevant changes. No changes or additions may be made to a proposal after the submission deadline. Your final proposal must include the presentation document as well as all the appendices and the signed registration form.
Presentation Document
Your project proposal must contain all of the following elements and follow the format set out below. Please note that projects will be assessed on the basis of all of these elements. We suggest that you use 8.5” X 11” paper, printed double-sided, and that you refrain from using a spiral or other binding. If possible, accompanying documents should also be submitted in this format and be attached as appendices.
1- Project description
Present the following descriptive elements on 8.5” X 11” paper:
1.1- Environmental issue associated with the St. Lawrence
1.2- Purpose of carrying out the project
1.3- Detailed project schedule
1.4- Identity of the project’s beneficiaries
1.5- Description of the work plan and the suggested means of addressing the issues (methods used, material and equipment required, labour, professional services, areas of activity, etc)
*NB: append plans, specifications and other explanatory documents
1.6- Expected spinoff from the project
A- Assess the environmental benefits (quantity of waste removed, number of hectares restored or protected, etc.)
B- Assess the impact on the community (number of people who will benefit from the results, etc)
C- Assess the economic spinoff (cash investment, job creation, etc)
1.7- Community participation in the project (describe the involvement of local people or organizations, the nature of their support and the advantages for them)
1.8- Additional information (optional)
2- Justifying the project in terms of the program objectives
2.1- Project’s contribution to improving the St. Lawrence ecosystem
2.2- Justification for carrying out the project in terms of the environmental remedial action plans (ERAPs) and/or regional priorities
3- Area description
3.1- Area in which the project is to be carried out, boundaries (attach maps showing the location)
3.2- Presentation of current knowledge of the area (habitats, fauna, flora, hydrology, etc)
3.3- Identity of owner(s) and designated land use as described in the MRC (regional county municipality) development plan
3.4- Description of current and planned activities on the project site
3.5- Special designation of the site (fragile habitat, legal status, etc.)
4- Environmental assessment and authorization requirements
4.1- Indicate whether authorizations are required for the project
4.2- If so, describe the authorizations required and give the names and contact details of the people mandated to give the required authorizations
4.3- In the case of restoration and enhancement projects, describe potentially negative environmental impacts associated with the project and identify appropriate mitigation measures
5- Project management and impact of the project
5.1- Describe the methods that will be used for administrative, financial, technical and environmental monitoring and for the assessment of results
5.2- Describe the measures to be taken to ensure and maintain the long-term environmental benefits of the project
5.3- Describe the measures to be taken to ensure that once the project is carried out its achievements will be maintained (follow-up)
6- Financial information
(Complete appendices C and D as well)6.1- Give a detailed description of project income and expenses including dates
6.2- Identify the human resources, the material, equipment and costs associated with each project activity (with respect to acquiring or allocating matching funds for electronic equipment, the maximum eligible costs will be equal to the depreciation costs over the period during which the equipment is used)
6.3- Give details of requirements in terms of volunteer and paid labour and professional services (rate, duration, expertise). You must provide details of wage rates and justify them on the basis of the degree of specialization required
G. When And Where Should The Proposal Be Sent?
Applications for financial assistance must be postmarked no later than the date specified in the call letter.
Program project officers can provide basic technical support to help you develop your projects and carry out follow-up. They can also provide advices on preproposals and direct you towards resource people. You must, however, send them your request for assistance at least one month before the deadline.
You must submit two copies of your proposal in 8 ½” X 11” format. The pages must not be stapled, bound or laminated (photocopy-ready).
If you want more information about the program or the documentation for submitting a proposal, please contact a project officer at the following address:
Community Interaction Program
1141 Route de l’Église
PO Box 10100, 6th Floor
Quebec QC G1V 4H5Telephone: (418) 648-3444 or 1-800-463-4311
Fax: (418) 649-6674
E-mail: quebec.interactions_communautaires@ec.gc.ca
Web site : www.planstlaurent.qc.ca
Date modified: 2011/02/04 – Important Notices
