Funding Opportunity – Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund

December 3, 2021

Maximum Request: $250,000 – $25,000,000

SOI Deadline: December 15

The Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) aims to reduce 2-4 megatons of GHG emissions annually by supporting projects that conserve, restore and enhance wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands to store and capture carbon.

There are two project streams of relevance to Toronto and Region Conservation Authority:

(1) Place-based actions: This stream will support restoration of grasslands and wetlands and enhanced land management activities to increase carbon sequestration and storage, and improve habitat. Projects that prevent GHG emissions from the degradation or loss of carbon-rich habitats will also be supported. Projects should occur in areas that provide important habitat for migratory birds, species at risk, and other species of cultural and/or socio-economic importance.

(2) Sector-based policy: This stream will engage those interested in advancing policies, programs and tools designed to address systemic issues related to implementing nature-based climate solutions. If implemented, these would decrease the rate of activities that cause GHG emissions or increase the rate of activities that increase sequestration.

Please review the Fund Use Requirements for each stream (linked above) before proceeding with your SOI submission.

All projects will require 1:1 (50%) matching funding. Projects with higher than 1:1 matching funding will be prioritized, as will projects with a greater proportion of cash versus in-kind match.

The minimum request for projects is $250,000. A single organization cannot receive more than $25,000,000 in total funding through the program. If TRCA’s request amount exceeds the $25,000,000 maximum, project teams will be consulted about either lowering their requests or submitting their projects to an internal competitive process.

Projects that receive funding from other ECCC programs (i.e., Great Lakes Protection Initiative, Habitat Stewardship Program, EcoAction) are ineligible for NSCSF funding.

If you have any questions, please direct them to max.smith@trca.ca. SOIs are due no later than December 15.

Please refer to the attached Applicant Guides and linked program overviews for further details.