First Nation Adapt Program: Funding Guidelines 2021 to 2022

On this page

• Purpose
• Program overview
• Program objectives
• Available funding
• Who can apply?
• Deadline
• Project examples
• Project description guidelines
• How to apply
• Definitions
• Footnote

Purpose

The following text outlines the First Nation Adapt Program's project guidelines for 2021-2022. Please submit project proposals directly to First Nation Adapt at the contact information below.

Program overview

The First Nation Adapt Program supports community projects that build the capacity of First Nations south of the 60th parallel to address climate change impacts. We know that climate change is already affecting and will continue to affect communities across Canada, with significant implications for infrastructure, disaster mitigation and community well-being. First Nations are particularly at risk due to their location, aging infrastructure, and close ties to the land. In particular, flooding has been identified as a key priority by First Nations and the program. The central goal of the program is to improve resiliency to climate change by improving knowledge of the issues facing First Nations, in order to better plan for the future.

Program objectives

The First Nation Adapt Program aims to support:

• the gathering of Indigenous Knowledge
• community involvement in planning processes
• the building of capacity within First Nations and First Nations organizations to conduct work and adapt to a changing climate

The program focuses on key priority areas based on:

• current and future impacts on First Nations infrastructure
• actions communities can take to reduce negative outcomes from emergencies

Proposals submitted to the program must:

• indicate a strong link with climate change
• demonstrate how project activities will increase resilience of First Nations in terms of current and future impacts on First Nations infrastructure and disaster mitigation

The program focuses on the following key priority areas:

• inland flooding and shoreline erosion
• wildfires
• drought
• sea level rise, coastal flooding and erosion
• winter roads

Available funding

First Nations experiencing climate change impacts are encouraged to submit a project description for funding consideration as early as possible, to take full advantage of funding opportunities.

Priority will be given to First Nations experiencing repeated and severe climate impacts related to infrastructure and disaster mitigation.

Priority may also be given to communities not previously supported by the program.

The average yearly cost of funded projects is between $80,000 and $160,000, with costs varying based on the scope and nature of projects.

The program can support multiyear projects. If you anticipate that any of your project activities will continue for more than one year, please identify these activities in your project description, and break down your proposed budget by year.

Who can apply?

• First Nations
• Band or tribal councils
• Indigenous organizations

Deadline

There is no deadline to apply. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until all available funding is allocated.

If you apply once funding is no longer available, your application will be kept by the program and be considered once new funding becomes available.

Project examples

These are some examples of activities that can be incorporated into a proposed project. This is not a complete list, and First Nations are encouraged to identify project activities that respond to their needs. Program staff are available to help you scope out project activities.

• Performing a community climate change risk assessment based on community site visits and engagement sessions with community participants, including gathering of Indigenous Knowledge
• Collecting baseline information on local river or coastline characteristics and integration of climate change projections
• Assessing community drainage (e.g., culverts) systems for current and future projected extreme precipitation events
• Assessing climate impacts of traditional burning^{Footnote 1} practices
• Integrating climate change risks into community planning documents, such as emergency management plans, land use plans, infrastructure plans
• Performing winter road realignment studies
• Using Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation's Infrastructure Resilience Toolkit to assess infrastructure assets and develop an asset management plan
• Mapping hazards to identify suitable areas for development using historical and future climate information
• Identifying adaptation measures, including natural infrastructure options, to reduce climate change impacts
• Collecting Indigenous Knowledge on past climate events and trends, climate change impacts on people or the environment, and for ideas on adapting to climate change impacts
• Mapping floods to assess current and future projected flood risks for community infrastructure
• Participating in regional watershed management discussions with various stakeholders, such as provincial governments, other First Nations and nongovernmental organizations, on potential collaborative projects to address gaps in flood mapping and related data needs

Project description guidelines

Ensure your project description contains the following content. For help determining the level of detail needed for your proposed project, email adaptation@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.

1. Title page
   Include your project title and the community or communities involved in the project, with contact information (name, email address, telephone number).
2. Description of community concerns
   Tell the story of your community's climate change concerns and issues. Include how your community's public buildings, services, facilities and roads appear to be at risk to climate impacts such as flooding, wildfires, etc., and how this affects your community. Most importantly, specifically indicate what your project will accomplish in terms of improving the community's resiliency to climate impacts.
3. Proponent eligibility
   Describe how you are eligible for funding (First Nation community, band or tribal council, Indigenous organization, etc.).
4. Adaptation project type
   Outline what type of adaptation project is being undertaken. Eligible project types include risk assessment, flood mapping, adaptation planning, and cost-benefit analysis. Projects need not include all project types.
5. Climate impact priority area
   Clearly state how your project addresses climate change impacts on community infrastructure or disaster mitigation resulting from one or more of the following climate impact areas: inland flooding, drought, wildfires, sea level rise and shoreline erosion, winter road failures, or impacts on fisheries.
6. Proposed methodology and outcome of the project
   Demonstrate how you will address the goals of the project by clearly outlining the steps to achieve the project's results. This is the most important section of the project proposal. Include a detailed description of all activities you plan to undertake. Also identify how the community will be involved in the project, and identify all project partners. If needed, the First Nation Adapt Program team can you development a methodology. Please email adaptation@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca to discuss tools, best practices and potential partners available to you.
7. First Nation agreement
   Demonstrate First Nation support for the project through a signed Band Council Resolution or other proof of support.
8. Budget
   The First Nation Adapt Program requires you to fill out a budget template. Please email adaptation@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca if you need help filling out the template.

How to apply

Please submit a project description for discussion, or a full proposal, to adaptation@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.

Definitions