Deadline: 18-Jan-24
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is accepting applications for projects to fund under the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA).
The CEC established NAPECA to promote shared responsibility and stewardship for the environment by engaging and partnering with tribal nations, Indigenous Peoples and communities, including Indigenous governments, councils and organizations, local communities, academia and registered nongovernmental organizations in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
This NAPECA grant cycle aims to support climate adaptation in North America by engaging and empowering communities, particularly Indigenous and local communities, in applying Indigenous Knowledge to strengthen community-based resilience to climate change. The CEC is calling for proposals from organizations to support environmental initiatives that will help North American communities enhance climate adaptation by working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to recognize, apply, and protect traditional and Indigenous knowledge systems.
The CEC will support projects and partnerships that are led by or promote the active participation of Indigenous governments, organizations, communities and individuals in recognition of their Indigenous rights and knowledge systems pertaining to environmental decision-making. The projects must be inclusive and foster Indigenous leadership and self-determination. They may also support the development of solutions adapted to the needs, priorities and systems prevailing in the communities where they are implemented. Indeed, applying Indigenous Knowledge also implies recognition of and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems and, in many cases, shared jurisdiction on environmental activities and decisions. This recognition includes ways of life, relations to the spirits and natural world, the gender-based roles, modes of knowledge transmission and decision-making, etc.
Funding Information
- The CEC encourages applicants to submit proposals up to C$185,000 and will consider additional funds (where available) for exceptional projects.
- Projects are funded for a duration of 12 (twelve) to 24 (twenty-four) months.
Eligible Projects
- The NAPECA grant program will support projects that:
- Focus on implementing community activities that will enhance climate adaptation through the respectful inclusion and protection of Indigenous Knowledge, and demonstrate recognition and respect of the traditional systems in place;
- Participate in the empowerment of the community(ies) and Peoples involved and propose activities that will lead to community-driven change (e.g., capacity building for new decisionmaking and/or management skills, programs to increase environmental awareness, etc.);
- Include an integral implementation plan that identifies clearly concrete and measurable objectives and results, specific actions/project activities, beneficiaries and actors, and an estimate budget;
- Achieve tangible and measurable positive environmental results, whether such outcomes benefit species, ecosystems, or sustainable development, or community preparedness/resilience to climate change. Most results must be suitable for reporting within the timeframe of NAPECA support (i.e., 12 to 24 months);
- Could potentially be replicated in other regions or inspire other communities to implement initiatives that address similar issues but are tailored to their needs, priorities and realities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants are tribal nations, Indigenous Peoples and communities, entities which are incorporated as non-profit organizations, and academia in Canada, Mexico or the United States. Examples of eligible applicants include:
- Indigenous governments, councils and organizations;
- Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), environmental groups and community-based associations; and
- Universities, academic and public research institutions.
- Applicants must be located in Canada, Mexico, or the United States.
- NAPECA does not support businesses, private individuals, or municipal, provincial/state, territorial and federal governments, except for tribal nations, and Indigenous Peoples and communities. However, proposals from qualified organizations partnering with the private sector or local government entities are eligible. Additionally, NAPECA grants cannot be used for projects that are currently receiving financial support from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Ineligible
- The following projects and activities are not eligible for funding:
- Activities for which the local, state/provincial or federal government is responsible (e.g., construction of roads, bridges, sewage treatment plants);
- Purchase of motor vehicles, property, or land;
- Renovations;
- Pursuing legal action;
- Projects dedicated exclusively to planning;
- Projects meant only to beautify an area;
- Lobbying or advocacy;
- Annual or regular organizational events/campaigns.
For more information, visit Commission for Environmental Cooperation.