Federal natural infrastructure fund open

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The Government of Canada is accepting applications for new projects through the Small Projects Stream of the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF).

The $200 million Natural Infrastructure Fund supports projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to protect the natural environment, support healthy and resilient communities, and contribute to economic growth and jobs.

The NIF is a direct-delivery program that supports communities to implement a range of diverse natural and hybrid infrastructure projects. The Small Projects Stream responds to known demand at the local level for smaller projects. All projects are assessed on the basis that they deliver one or multiple of the following community services:

• Climate change resilience: Adapting to or transforming to anticipated or experienced climate hazards.

  E.g., erosion prevention, flood protection, regulating temperature extremes, and activities reducing costs and damages associated with climate hazards.

• Increased access to nature: Enhancing the quality or quantity of healthy and safe natural systems to connect people to nature.

  E.g., increased public greenspace, active transportation, and design elements such as signage.

• Improved environmental quality: Enhancing the efficiency, productivity, and functionality of ecological processes to provide people with healthy environments (e.g., water, air, and soil quality).

  E.g., stormwater diversion, infiltration or detention, ground water infiltration and replenishment, pre-filtration of water, and wastewater treatment.

• Enhanced biodiversity and habitat: Reducing fragmentation, loss, or destruction of important habitats and species.

  E.g., ecological integrity or connectivity, or reduction of alien invasive species and an increase in native species.

• Climate change mitigation: Increasing the capacity of natural systems and processes to sink and store greenhouse gasses.

  E.g., carbon sequestration or broader greenhouse gas reductions through energy efficiency benefits.

The fund is available to municipalities, local governments, provinces or territories, public sector bodies, Indigenous organizations, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations in partnership with other eligible applicants outside the private sector.

To apply for the funding program, click here.