Apply for funding under Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program – Grants
Grants and Contributions projects affected by COVID-19
Please contact your funding representative if your project is affected by COVID-19.
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Application period
Current status: Closed
Applicants must not start their proposed projects until notified by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) of approval and an agreement has been signed between the organization and a representative of ESDC.
Please note that not all applications submitted under this application process will be approved. Funding is limited and subject to budget considerations of ESDC and allocation of funds by Parliament.
Decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
The Call for Proposals for grants will close on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 12 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time.
We anticipate that projects could start as early as Summer 2019.
Description of funding
In 2015, Canada and all other United Nations Member States, committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to eliminate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity by the year 2030.
In November 2018, we launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Funding Program to support projects aimed at:
- building awareness of the 2030 Agenda
- increase partnerships and networks
- advance research
- further Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda
We are currently accepting applications, on an ongoing basis, from organizations interested in receiving up to $100,000 in grant funding from the SDG Funding Program for projects that are up to 12 months in duration.
Eligible organizations may submit only one application for funding, per fiscal year, in this process. Fiscal years start April 1 and end March 31.
Steps to apply
Or 
Or 
Create a Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) account to apply online
To apply online, you will need to create a Grants and Contributions Online Services account. We encourage you to create your GCOS account as soon as possible as it may take up to two weeks to finish it.
GCOS allows you to:
- apply for funding opportunities
- submit claims and supporting documents
- track the status of your applications, and
- manage all your ESDC funding applications and approved active projects in one single GCOS account
Apply, submit and track the status of your application online using GCOS
- Read the Applicant guide for this funding process to complete your application as it describes specific information you need to provide for each question of the application form
- Complete the Budget detail template (Excel format, 85.5 KB or PDF format, 1,761 KB) online or by hand
- Apply online using GCOS
Apply by email
- Read the Applicant guide to complete your application form as it describes specific information you need to provide for each question of the application form
- Complete the Application for Funding (EMP5523) and the Budget detail template (Excel format, 85.5 KB or PDF format, 1,761 KB) online or by hand
- Sign the appropriate section(s)
- Print the signed page(s) only, scan and email them to EDSC.ODD2030-2030SDG.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca. If you are unable to scan them, you can mail them to the address below. Clearly indicate in your email if further documentation will be forthcoming by mail
Apply by mail
- Read the Applicant guide to complete your application form as it describes specific information you need to provide for each question of the application form
- Complete the Application for Funding (EMP5523) and the Budget detail template (Excel format, 85.5 KB or PDF format, 1,761 KB) online or by hand
- Print, sign, and mail the documents to the address below:
Mailing address
Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program submissions
Coordination Unit Mailstop 402
National Grants and Contributions Delivery Centre (ESDC)
140 Promenade du Portage Phase IV 4th Floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0J9
Objective
We are funding projects that will identify and implement innovative approaches or complement and augment existing activities in order to work towards achieving 2 or more of the following objectives:
- enhancing multi-stakeholder efforts by promoting partnerships and bridging efforts across sectors in support of the 2030 Agenda
- raising awareness and support for the 2030 Agenda in Canada
- ensuring that Canada’s progress on the 2030 Agenda leaves no one behind, including vulnerable or marginalized groups, and
- fostering and integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into approaches and efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda
Application process
We recommend that you read the applicant guide carefully before you start completing your application. Not doing so could result in an incomplete application and its rejection from this process. This web page includes the following information:
- the application, eligibility and assessment process, and
- details on how to best provide the required information
Eligibility
This section describes how we will assess your application to determine its eligibility. Your organization must meet all the following eligibility criteria listed below to apply for this funding program. Otherwise, your application will not be further considered.
- Your organization is:
- a non-profit organization
- a municipality
- a provincial or territorial government, institution or Crown Corporation
- an Indigenous organization (including band council, tribal council and self-government entity)
- an international organization
- a coalition, network or committee
- a research organization or institute
- an educational institution
- a public health and social services institution, or
- a for-profit organization
- Your project does not exceed 12 months in duration
- The funding amount you are requesting does not exceed $100,000
- Your application clearly describes how the project will advance 2 or more of the 17 SDGs, or the 2030 Agenda as a whole
- Your application clearly identifies how your organization will work towards achieving 2 or more of the following objectives:
- enhancing multi-stakeholder efforts by promoting partnerships and bridging efforts across sectors in support of the 2030 Agenda
- raising awareness and support for the 2030 Agenda in Canada
- ensuring that Canada’s progress on the 2030 Agenda leaves no one behind, including vulnerable or marginalized groups, and
- fostering and integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into approaches and efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda
Note to organizations located and operating in Québec:
Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif, The Québec National Assembly adopted an Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (RLRQ, chapter M-30). This Act provides, in particular, that all Québec public bodies must obtain the authorization of the Québec government before entering into any agreement with the federal government, one of its departments or government agencies, or with a federal public agency. Any entity that is subject to the Act is responsible for obtaining the necessary authorization prior to the conclusion of such an agreement. If your proposed project is successful, ESDC will allow a reasonable amount of time for you to obtain the authorization from the Government of Québec. If you are unable to obtain the required authorization in a reasonable amount of time, your application could be withdrawn.
How we assess your application
We will assess your application based on the following criteria:
1. Project objectives (refer to Question 43)
- Your application clearly identifies the need for the project and provides a solid rationale on how it will address the identified need
2. Project activities, timelines and feasibility (refer to Question 44)
- Your application clearly demonstrates how it will:
- identify and implement innovative approaches for driving Canada’s progress on the 2030 Agenda, or
- complement and augment existing activities that support Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda
- Your application provides a clear description of each activity
- Your project activities are specific, measurable and realistic
- Your project activities are relevant to the project objectives and demonstrate how they support the achievement of the project outcomes
- Your project timelines are clear and feasible
3. Project results and impact (refer to Question 45)
- Your application describes the expected outcomes and outputs of your project and how they link to your project objectives
- Your project results are specific, concrete, measurable and demonstrate the impact (qualitative and/or quantitative)
4. Results measurement indicators (refer to Question 46)
- Your application includes Results Measurement Indicators
- Your application describes the data collection approach for each result measurement indicator
5. Project budget (refer to Section B, Part 3)
- Your project costs are reasonable, detailed and support the project activities
Further consideration could be given to:
- applications that clearly demonstrate a level of innovation
- geographical location
- applications that support the Official Languages Minority Communities
- type of activity identified in the applications (awareness, partnerships, fostering and integrating Indigenous and local knowledge)
After you have applied
You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt of your application.
- If you submitted your application through Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS), you will receive an acknowledgment immediately
- If you submitted your application by email, you will receive an automatic email acknowledgment to the email address you used to submit the application
- If you submitted your application by mail, you will receive an acknowledgment by email within 21 days of its receipt. The acknowledgment will be sent to the email address you provided in your application
Contact us
If you have questions about this application process, send an email to EDSC.ODD2030-2030SDG.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca.
Glossary
- Sustainable development
- Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It has three dimensions that are balanced and complement each other:
- economic: supporting the creation of conditions to allow quality jobs that stimulate the economy without harming the environment
- environmental: supporting the creation of conditions to conserve natural resources and the environment to allow people to live well, now and in the future
- social: supporting the creation of conditions to current and future generations to promote diverse and inclusive communities where rights are respected and people feel secure and reach their full potential
- Innovative approach
- An approach that will introduce a new product, idea, process, or technology, or complement, rethink, and/or adapt existing activities that support Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
- Vulnerable and marginalized groups
- Include Indigenous peoples, women and girls, immigrant and refugee populations, visible minority, persons with disabilities, youth, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer and non-binary individuals (LGBTQ2).
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Specific set of objectives that aim to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address challenges, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity and, peace and justice. They are:
- no poverty
- zero hunger
- good health and well-being
- quality education
- gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls
- clean water and sanitation
- affordable and clean energy
- decent work and economic growth
- industry, innovation and infrastructure
- reduced inequalities
- sustainable cities and communities
- responsible consumption and production
- climate action
- life below water
- life on land
- peace, justice and strong institutions, and
- partnerships for the goals
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