The Indigenous Leadership Fund for Biodiversity Conservation is funded by the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP).
This fund comes from the amounts allocated to Indigenous Peoples as part of the implementation of the Nature Plan 2030.
The projects supported by the Fund contribute to achieving the various targets of the 2030 Nature Plan, including Target 3, which aims to protect 30% of the territory by 2030, and Target 13, which supports Indigenous leadership and initiatives in biodiversity conservation.
What is the objective of the Fund?
The Fund provides financial support to First Nations for the development and implementation of biodiversity conservation projects that align with the targets of the Nature Plan 2030. You can download the One pager here.
Who is eligible?
- Any First Nations community recognized by the National Assembly of Quebec and the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and represented by its band council;
- Any Indigenous organization whose board of directors is majority Indigenous and whose mission is related to the protection of Indigenous cultures;
- Any tribal council, AFNQL commission or regional organization, as well as any Indigenous trust or business where the majority of members, directors, or shareholders are Indigenous;
- Any other representative group (e.g., an association of members duly mandated by a band council to manage a project).
What projects are eligible?
Eligible biodiversity conservation projects may include:
- Knowledge acquisition
- Project planning and/or implementation
- Knowledge development and capacity building in biodiversity conservation
- Education and awareness on biodiversity conservation
- Mobilization and collaboration activities
*** Click on the + sign to see examples of eligible projects
- Development of a protected area proposal under First Nations leadership
- Knowledge acquisition and promotion of First Nations knowledge, practices, and uses related to biodiversity conservation
- Community or regional consultation led by the project proponent specifically focused on a biodiversity conservation project
- Restoration of degraded ecosystems
- Projects focused on the recovery or protection of a threatened, vulnerable, potentially at-risk, or culturally significant species
- Raising awareness and involving communities in biodiversity conservation and raising public awareness of indigenous realities
- Prevention and detection to counter the spread of invasive species
- Implementation of biodiversity conservation practices and policies
- Innovation in sustainable agricultural and aquacultural practices
- Creation of wider riparian buffers and vegetated strips Ensuring the sustainability of forestry practices
- Mobilization with local and/or international stakeholders on biodiversity conservation issues
- Responsible promotion of harvested species and natural environments
- Circular economy initiatives
Interested in this funding opportunity?
To express your interest in submitting a project and get feedback, simply send a written expression of interest by email.
We also invite you to consult the Applicant’s guide, the Project submission template and the Budget template below.