$550,000 Funding Opportunity to Advance Nature-based Climate Solutions in Greater Victoria

Nature-Based Climate Action Funding

Exciting news for local environmental organizations and Nations in Greater Victoria! The Victoria Foundation is now accepting applications for its latest funding program dedicated to promoting Nature-based Solutions for climate action. A generous fund of $550,000 awaits those who are making strides in preserving, reviving, and managing terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems in the capital region.

Key Details:

• Application Period: August 16 – September 22, 2023
• Funding Distribution: Early November 2023
• Apply Now
• Program Guidelines

Nature-based Climate Action – Why it’s Critical: Southern Vancouver Island is renowned for its awe-inspiring natural environment, replete with vibrant wildlife, sweeping coastlines, and magnificent old-growth forests. As climate change casts its growing shadow, safeguarding this environment becomes a pressing responsibility for both current and future generations.

Climate change, a global crisis and a focal point within the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 13), influences various vital sectors such as health, economy, and living standards. Tackling it is not only a global but also a regional imperative.

Understanding Nature-based Solutions: Nature-based Solutions, also referred to as Natural Climate Solutions, harness nature’s capability to absorb carbon dioxide and reduce emissions, ensuring a flourishing planet. By addressing climate change and biodiversity loss simultaneously, these solutions provide a holistic approach to the environmental challenges we face.

Discover more about nature-based solutions through the following resources:

• Government of Canada 
• Nature Based Solutions Initiatives 
• Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change Guidelines 
• International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources 

Funding Overview & Eligibility: This funding initiative seeks to mitigate the repercussions of climate change in the capital region through community-led nature-centric endeavors. Funding is earmarked for organizations whose core is imbued with environment and climate action, and who are engaged in projects like ecological restoration, land conservation, and preserving biodiversity.

Prioritizing Nature-Based Climate Action

Two primary areas of focus:

1. Backing efforts aimed at the protection, restoration, and management of ecosystems.
2. Boosting capabilities of land trusts and similar entities that play a stewardship role in natural areas.

The goal is to provide accessible, equitable, and trust-based funding opportunities, emphasizing relationships and flexible application formats. We especially welcome applications from Indigenous organizations and environmental groups collaborating with or led by equity-deserving communities.

Eligible entities can apply for a maximum of $50,000. For detailed eligibility criteria and information on exclusions, please review our application guidelines.

For queries about eligibility, kindly reach out to Jenna Falk at [email protected].

What Can You Use the Funds For? Eligible expenditures include general operational costs, staffing, initiatives, organizational capacity-building, modest capital expenditures, and costs related to land acquisition.

Join hands with the Victoria Foundation in championing a nature-centric approach to climate action! Apply today and make a difference.

Apply Now