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Wawanesa Climate Champions: Local Grants

Building on the success of our Wawanesa Climate Champions program, we launched a new granting initiative to support organizations working on the front lines to improve climate resiliency in local communities across Canada.

Through the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Local Grants, we’re building a safer, healthier, more sustainable future for our communities.

We’re excited to announce the 13 community-based organizations across Canada receiving grants in 2024 totalling more than $275,000 to support their local climate adaptation and mitigation projects:

2024/25 Local Grants recipients

Environment Lethbridge

Alberta
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Environment Lethrbridge will plant mini-forests of drought-resistant trees and shrubs in three locations in Lethbridge. These naturalized areas will not only help conserve water but also provide valuable urban shading and wildlife habitats. Residents will also be able to use the revitalized greenspaces and interact with demonstration sites, helping to raise awareness of climate resilient green infrastructure along with the long-term water conservation benefits it creates.

Holland College

Prince Edward Island
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This funding will help explore innovative solutions designed for Prince Edward Island to potentially improve resilience against hurricanes. The project will focus on exploring methods to reinforce and strengthen building structures to withstand high winds and debris to reduce the risk of structural damage. The findings from this work will help inform localized hurricane preparedness practices with the potential for broader applicability in Atlantic Canada over time.

Evergreen

Ontario
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Funding will support Evergreen’s Outdoor Learning programs which offer over 10,000 students and campers each year the opportunity to engage with real-world examples of climate adaptation and sustainability initiatives. The programs take a playful, experienced-based approach to learning about the intersection between urban, natural and built worlds while meaningfully addressing climate change, connection to place and Indigenous reconciliation to empower the next generation to build a resilient future.

Langley Environmental Partners Society

British Columbia
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This project will see Langley Environmental Partners Society enhance 3,000m² of streamside ecosystems by removing invasive species and adding 5,000 plants native to the area that provide a wide range of benefits, including stronger riverbanks, reduced erosion potential, increased shade, lower summer water temperatures, and improved habitats for wildlife that depend on the aquatic areas for survival. The initiative will also engage 100 youth in grades 9 to 12 in nature-based education sessions and projects.

RAINscapeTO

Ontario
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RAINscapeTO will create five rain gardens across the Greater Toronto Area to help capture rainwater, mitigating the risk of flooding through the reduction of urban runoff and preventing pollutants from reaching waterways. The project will also promote groundwater recharge, enhance urban green spaces, and provide habitats for pollinators and wildlife. The creation of each rain garden will be led by a BIPOC crew member, helping to create leadership development opportunities in underrepresented communities.

REVE Nourricier

Quebec
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To reduce urban runoff and pollutants entering Sherbrooke’s drainage system, 100m² of asphalt in the downtown area of the city will be replaced with green infrastructure that will divert about 50m³ of rainwater from the sewers each year. REVE Nourricier plans to involve local communities in all the stages of the project, helping to strengthen their sense of belonging to the garden and raise awareness of the environmental challenges created by the adverse effects of climate change on rainfall.

Sustainable Kingston

Ontario
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Sustainable Kingston will launch a series of six workshops to help local businesses, organizations, and community groups adapt to the growing impacts of climate change. The workshops will teach participants about local climate trends, assessing climate-related risks, approaches for mitigation, and resources to support ongoing adaptation efforts. The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness of the need to better prepare for climate emergencies and nurture a well-informed community capable of implementing proactive measures against climate-related challenges.

Environmental Youth Alliance

British Columbia
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Environmental Youth Alliance will launch and expand a free community volunteer program for teenagers from equity-deserving communities. The initiative will help remove barriers by connecting young people with peers, mentors, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers in their local area to help develop stronger mental health and social support networks. The project will also offer hands-on sessions focused on native plant horticulture, ecological restoration, and Indigenous foodscapes equipping participants with the skills to become environmental stewards while deepening their connection to nature.

Gorge Waterway Action Society

British Columbia
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Gorge Waterway Action Society will use the grant to host a series of events featuring local LGBTQ2S+ artists, musicians, and climate leaders to promote knowledge-sharing and belonging. The project will hold workshops and training sessions to equip community members with practical skills for climate adaptation and mitigation, such as ecological restoration. Among the initiatives planned is hands-on rehabilitation work of Esquimalt Gorge Park, which will result in upwards of 600 native plants being placed throughout the vulnerable coastal habitat.

Iron & Earth

Ontario
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The grant will support Iron & Earth’s Climate Career Portal, an innovative online platform designed to empower individuals to transition into careers that directly contribute to Toronto’s climate resilience and sustainability goals. The portal provides tailored mentorship, educational resources, and career development tools while bridging the gap between education and employment by connecting users with local job opportunities and promoting partnerships with 17 Toronto-based employers in the green economy. As part of this initiative, Iron & Earth will deliver on-the-ground presentations of the Climate Career Portal to local organizations and educational institutions, including Mohawk College and Learning for a Sustainable Future.

Manitoba Métis Federation

Manitoba
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This project will provide weather protection through the planting of natural shelterbelts in seven community green spaces across the province. Fruit-bearing trees and shrubs will make up the shelterbelts, helping to reduce soil erosion, increase water filtration, and protect the greenhouse structures while providing healthy produce to address the food insecurity in communities. The greenspaces will give MMF an opportunity to hold community workshops to further traditional practices, knowledge, and education to youth by creating an intergenerational learning experience through land-based learning opportunities.

Relay Education

Southern Saskatchewan
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Relay Education will deliver educational workshops, Green Collar Careers, to roughly 1,500 students between the ages of 14 and 18 from predominantly Indigenous or low-income communities. Participants will be introduced to 40 career paths that help address challenges related to climate change, inspiring them to take a leading role in careers that will be in high demand as part of the transition to a low-carbon green economy.

Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds Inc.

Saskatchewan
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In partnership with the City of Yorkton, the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds will be installing 24 floating treatment wetlands on Hopkins Storm Water Pond – a major stormwater collection basin. The wetland vegetation islands will filter out pollutants and nutrients, control algae, and reduce sludge to improve water quality, while providing a home for wildlife and pollinators. Local youth organizations will help assemble the floating treatment wetlands, teaching them how natural ecological systems play an important role in sustaining the environment.

Project eligibility and criteria

What activities can the grant be used for?

The project must:

  • address a local challenge and be able to clearly describe how it will mitigate or adapt to climate change and build climate resiliency
  • align to one or more of our pillars: Environmental Guardians, Community Protectors, Youth Stewards
  • have measurable impact and broad community benefits
  • include a project budget and timeline
  • take place in Canada and will be completed within 12 months of receiving funding

Funding cannot be applied to normal operations of an organization. A detailed breakdown of eligible and ineligible expenses can be found in the downloadable Budget Template”.

Who can apply?

Any of the following organization types may apply:

  • Non-profit/charitable organizations
  • Non-government organization (NGO)
  • Indigenous communities
  • Social enterprise
  • Academic institution
  • Municipal or provincial government entity

The following would not be eligible:

  • Potential applicants
    • Individuals or individual pursuits
    • For-profit organizations
    • Religious organizations
    • Political campaigns, individuals, and parties that have political relations
  • Projects/initiatives

Applications from disproportionately affected communities may be prioritized.

If your project is related to wildfire prevention, please see our Wawanesa Climate Champions Community Wildfire Prevention Grants HERE.

If you’re a student at a C2R2 college and interested in leading a climate-related project, please visit the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grant HERE.

Application submissions will be evaluated by a committee of select Wawanesa employees. This Wawanesa Climate Champions Local Grants initiative is subject to the Wawanesa Climate Champions Local Grants initiative Terms & Conditions. By applying for a grant, all applicants are aware of and accept all of the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Local Grants initiative Terms & Conditions.

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