The EcoAction Community Program enables freshwater sustainability and actions across Canada through two distinct funding streams, both focused on improving freshwater quality and ecosystem health.
Stream 1: Community-led Freshwater Action across Canada (Closed)
This stream helps Canadians become involved in creating more sustainable communities by taking actions that improve freshwater quality and ecosystem health. The program supports initiatives that inspire individuals and communities to turn their knowledge and values into action, enhancing water literacy and fostering stewardship.
All projects must demonstrate strong community involvement and address freshwater priorities. Projects must include at least one environmental indicator and one capacity building indicator.
Eligible Activities:
Shoreline protection, stabilization or improvement
Waste and garbage cleanup, removal or diversion
Invasive species control or removal
Planting indigenous plant species
Habitat or land restoration
Workshops or outreach directly paired with community action
Implementing freshwater recommendations from environmental management plans
Water conservation
Water Literacy Component:
Applicants are encouraged to include activities that share knowledge and foster positive water-related attitudes and behaviours, such as inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge, community discussions, educational workshops, project reports, or social media outreach.
Priority Groups:
Preference given to applications that engage Indigenous peoples and youth (up to 25 years of age).
Stream 2: Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada (Open)
This stream funds projects that pilot innovative and clean technology solutions, enable circular economy opportunities, and address freshwater data challenges. Projects should be of national relevance or scope, relevant to multiple locations within Canada, or be localized initiatives that could be scaled up nationally.
Eligible Activities:
Developing, testing or demonstrating innovative tools, technologies and techniques that can be applied in multiple locations
Scaling up or transferring proven innovative approaches to other regions
Freshwater-related studies that improve circular economy opportunities
Projects that enhance community resilience to climate change or enable local economic growth
Improving access to data to assist with decision-making and freshwater stewardship
Projects that integrate diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous perspectives
Ineligible Activities (Both Streams):
Projects focused on brackish water and saltwater, projects already underway, ongoing core organizational activities, projects required by law or government mandate, projects designed only to beautify an area, political lobbying or advocacy, capital asset purchases, land acquisition, vehicle purchases, and projects outside Canada.
