Call for Proposals: Grants for Capacity Building for Water and Wastewater Operators (Canada)

Deadline: 25-Apr-22

The Government of Canada is accepting proposals for its Capacity Building for Water and Wastewater Operators Water and wastewater operators are vital to:

• ensuring First Nations communities have safe, clean drinking water and reliable infrastructure
• preventing long-term drinking water advisories and other health and safety risks
• mitigating environmental issues that can arise from poor water quality

Funding Information

• Each project will be limited to a maximum of $500,000 in funding.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals delivered or offered by First Nations communities, First Nations organizations, or in partnership with First Nations peoples will be prioritized.
• Eligible applicants include:
  • First Nations, Innu or Inuit governments, bands, and settlements
  • tribal councils, political, or treaty or settlement organizations
  • district councils or chief councils
  • First Nations/Indigenous-led organizations
  • non-government organizations, societies, and associations
  • non-profit organizations
  • academic and research institutions (for example universities and colleges)
  • other levels of government (provincial or territorial governments and agencies, municipalities, and other local authorities)
  • corporations where a major shareholder is First Nations/Indigenous (for example Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation) or in partnership with First Nations/Indigenous partners
  • other private entities, in particular, proposals co-developed in partnership with First Nations/Indigenous partners

Eligible Projects

• Many types of initiatives can receive funding.
• Initiatives:
  • can last up to 2 years
  • must broadly benefit water and wastewater operators and First Nations communities on reserve
  • may be projects, tools, studies, or strategies
• Successful project applications:
  • will address community-based, regional, or national issues related to building water and wastewater operator capacity
  • may include:
    • communications
    • events
    • education and training
    • outreach and engagement
    • diversity building
    • pilot projects
    • scoping studies
    • research and data collection
    • literature and best practices reviews
• All projects must address at least one of the following target areas in First Nations on reserve:
  • foundational capacity building. For example:
    • increasing the availability, recruitment, and retention of trained and certified operators
    • enhancing succession planning and development
    • awareness-raising and outreach
  • sustaining operations. For example:
    • addressing high-risk systems
    • preventative maintenance practices
    • source water protection planning
    • enhancing wastewater treatment practices
  • diversity and culture. For example:
    • empowering women and youth
    • integrating and promoting traditional water teachings and water science
    • safe working environments for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
  • developing and enhancing innovative solutions. For example:
    • training or education materials support, methods
    • peer-to-peer learning
    • operator networks
    • innovative and First Nations-led approaches for service delivery
    • innovative funding models

For more information, visit Government of Canada.

For more information, visit https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1646154366434/1646154391314