Capacity building for water and wastewater operators
This call for proposals aims to enhance capacity building projects related to water and wastewater operators on reserve.
On this page
About this call for proposals
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
As part of the Government of Canada's continued commitment to support the operations and maintenance of water and wastewater systems on reserve, this call for proposals may provide recipients with up to $500,000 in funding to support new or expanded capacity building initiatives.
We intend to provide funding to projects that enhance the retention, recruitment and availability of water and wastewater operators working on reserve.
Types of projects eligible for funding
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 reserves in Canada
- 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
- educational and promotional materials
- outreach and engagement
- diversity building
- pilot projects
- scoping studies
- research and data collection
- literature and best practices reviews
Each project will be limited to a maximum of $500,000 in funding.
All projects must address at least 1 of the following target areas in First Nations on reserve:
- foundational capacity building, for example:
- increasing the recruitment and retention of trained and certified operators
- enhancing succession planning and development
- awareness raising and outreach
- supporting operators, 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:
- education materials or methods
- peer-to-peer learning
- operator networks
- innovative and First Nations-led approaches for service delivery
- innovative funding models
Additional consideration will be given to proposals that target First Nations communities with either drinking water advisories or high-risk systems.
Please note, individuals are not eligible to receive funding through this call for proposals. The funding is also not intended to be used directly to train or certify water and wastewater operators. Please refer to the above list for examples of target areas.
Who can apply
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
- 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, such as provincial or territorial governments and agencies, municipalities and other local authorities
- corporations where a major shareholder is First Nations, for example, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation or in partnership with First Nations partners
- other private entities, in particular proposals co-developed in partnership with First Nations partners
Applicants will need to meet the Department's eligibility requirements for grants and contributions to be considered. For more information on eligibility, please contact proprepnh2o-cleanfnh2o@sac-isc.gc.ca.
Deadline
The Capacity Building for Water and Wastewater Operators Call for Proposals is now closed.
How to apply
- Download and complete the Project or Work Plan Funding Application, PAW# 638262. Alternatively, you can use your own proposal template in Microsoft Word or Excel format. Your proposal needs to include the following elements:
- project or activity description
- organization or personnel description
- work plan
- proposed timeline
- detailed budget
This information can be provided in either the funding application template or separately, as a supporting document.
- Please ensure your proposal clearly describes how the activity supports capacity building, including:
- which target areas are being supported by the initiative
- expected results, objectives or outcomes of the proposal
- how results will be measured
Meeting these criteria does not guarantee funding.
- Please do not send links to files in the Cloud or Internet servers as ISC cannot access them
ISC will confirm receipt of your proposal by email or letter mail and may contact you for more information, if needed.
ISC will notify all applicants by email or letter mail whether their proposal will receive funding or not.
Contact us
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact us by:
- proprepnh2o-cleanfnh2o@sac-isc.gc.ca
- Phone
- 1-800-567-9604
- Indigenous Services Canada
Strategic Water Management Directorate
Community Infrastructure Branch
10 rue Wellington
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H4