Community Interaction Program
The Community Interaction Program (CIP) supports the implementation of community-led projects aimed at conserving biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use, and improving the water quality and ecosystem of the St. Lawrence.
As part of the 2011-2026 St. Lawrence Action Plan, the program is implemented by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Quebec's Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC).
Objectives
- Enhance the St. Lawrence ecosystem
- Support community projects looking to conserve biodiversity and sustainable use and to improve water quality
- Support projects stemming from the Regional Integrated Management Plan (RIMP)
Target group
Any not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that has been legally constituted for at least one year and that has a branch in Quebec and any Indigenous communities located in Quebec.
Area of Intervention
The target area is defined by the St. Lawrence River, meaning its water, bed, shores, coastline, wetlands, barachois, islands, archipelagos and fluvial lakes. The territory extends, on the south shore, from Cornwall to Gaspé (including the Quebec portion of Chaleur Bay and the Magdalen Islands), and, on the north shore, from Carillon to Blanc-Sablon (including Anticosti Island and the Saguenay). This territory also includes the tributaries essential to the lifecycle of species dependent on the St. Lawrence. Intervention in the secondary tributaries must have a direct connection with the species in question or with agricultural nonpoint source pollution.
Eligible Projects
Eligible Types of Projects | Program Contribution |
|---|---|
| Public awareness projects arising from a specific environmental issue that targets a particular group in the community and leads to concrete short-term actions. As part of this project, there must be a follow-up on the changes in behavior or the acquisition of new knowledge. | Maximum 70%* of the total value of eligible expenses** up to $100,000. |
| Study projects pertaining to a specific environmental issue with the aim of identifying concrete actions to be taken in the field. | Maximum 70%* of the total value of eligible expenses** up to $25,000. |
| Study/action projects pertaining to a specific environmental issue with the aim of identifying concrete actions to be taken in the field, followed by the implementation of appropriate actions. | Maximum 70%* of eligible expenses** up to $200,000. |
| Biodiversity protection projects that promote the sustainable use of the St. Lawrence. | |
| Restoration projects arising from a specific environmental issue directly related to the St. Lawrence. |
* 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 total contribution allocated by ECCC and the MELCC.
** To determine eligible expenses, please see the Project Presentation Guide.
Funded Projects
The Community Interaction Program funds community-led projects aimed at conserving and improving the St. Lawrence River ecosystem. Here are a few project examples:
Restoration and enhancement of the mouth of the Brochu River
Gulf North Shore ZIP Committee
Sensitization - Restoration
Restoration of natural areas in the Matane region
Environmental group Uni-Vert, Matane region
Restoration - Protection
Intervention plan for the Réserve naturelle des Battures-de-Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
Fondation québécoise pour la protection du patrimoine naturel (FQPPN)
Study-Action
