Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF) Open Category

The SDIF provides funding for the development, implementation and promotion of environmental innovation and sustainable development projects delivered by local governments, industry, community and youth groups, Aboriginal organizations, and First Nation communities.

Grants are provided through several priority program areas. Proposed projects must address one or more priority area and achieve or demonstrate measurable progress toward achieving the fund's objectives. They must also be environmentally and ecologically sound, promote a sustainable approach, have clear environmental benefits and take into account benefits to the community and the economy. Projects should also demonstrate the involvement of youth where possible.

SDIF Objectives

1. To support and promote innovation in the environmental and sustainable development industries.
2. To encourage environmentally sound decisions and actions.
3. To promote research and demonstration of new initiatives not addressed by existing programs.
4. To stimulate economic development and diversification that will improve the quality of life, and strengthen community identity, throughout Manitoba.
5. To demonstrate new approaches to prevent waste and pollution, and conserve resources.
6. To support activities that may benefit both the global and local environment.

Priority Areas

The SDIF supports innovative projects that contribute to the protection, enhancement, conservation and/or rehabilitation of Manitoba's environment. Projects must be ecologically sound, promote a sustainable approach, demonstrate clear environmental benefits and take into account the benefits to the community and the economy. Projects must address one or more of the Fund's priority program areas and should incorporate youth involvement, community partnerships, education and awareness, and information sharing.

The Fund’s priority areas include:  

Environmental Technology Innovation and Demonstration

• This priority area includes feasibility studies, research and development of new processes, environmental technology demonstrations, and special projects, such as strategic studies relating to industrial sectors.

Northern Community Development and Environmental Issues

• This priority area focuses on projects that enhance the environment and sustainable economic development activities of northern and remote communities, particularly Aboriginal communities.

Sustainable Community Development

• Sustainable community development includes eco-efficiency initiatives, environmental stewardship, capacity building mechanisms, inner city revitalization, with an emphasis on partnerships with Aboriginal peoples and youth. .

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

• This priority area includes research, demonstration projects, and feasibility studies on agricultural practices that protect the environment and will assist in diversifying Manitoba's agricultural sector. 

Ecosystem Conservation

• The focus for this priority area is on resource conservation, preservation and maintenance of urban forests and ecosystems, and initiatives to rehabilitate and revitalize degraded areas. .

Understanding Our Environment

• This priority area considers education and awareness activities, training, research, seminars and forums. .

Eco-tourism

• Initiatives that address ecosystem preservation, public education and economic opportunities through tourism with a priority on rural and northern communities are eligible in this priority area.

Who Can Apply?

Municipal corporations, local governments, including Northern Affairs and First Nation communities, private and non-profit organizations and businesses, educational institutions, youth groups and community associations are eligible to submit project proposals. Individuals, or groups excluded from the above list, may submit a joint application with an eligible applicant.

To be eligible for funding, project proposals must:

• Address one or more of the priority areas.
• Demonstrate measurable progress towards achieving one or more of the Fund’s objectives.
• Promote a sustainable approach, include an educational and awareness component, have clear environmental benefits, and take into account benefits to the community and the economy.
• Be environmentally and ecologically sound.
• Involve youth where possible.
• Adhere to a realistic budget and use appropriate resources to conduct the project.
• Have a distinct start and finish, and be implemented in a timely fashion.
• Have written support from partners, including financial contributions, in-kind project support and/or technical expertise.
• Conduct project activities in Manitoba or be of benefit to Manitoba.
• Have a clear plan for future use, sharing or replication.

• Projects that will result in proprietary knowledge and being held exclusively by the grant recipient.
• Applications for debt financing or cost recovery purposes.
• Purchase of playground and recreational equipment.
• Purchase of real property, including land, buildings or vehicles.
• Ongoing administration (office costs) and established operational budgets.
• Business development start-up costs. Consideration may be given to projects that can clearly indicate that the initiative is a demonstration and/or a pilot project.
• Initiatives that need to be undertaken as a result of a government order, such as removal of petroleum distribution systems, investigations and remediation.

Funding Guidelines

Applicants are encouraged to form partnerships and obtain cash contributions or in-kind support from other sources. In-kind support can include donations of equipment, materials, office space, volunteer time and professional services.

Upon receipt, proposals will be reviewed for eligibility and assessed on technical merit. A SDIF Advisory Committee has been established to make recommendations on project funding to the Minister of Conservation. The Minister will have final approval authority on project funding of up to $25,000. Projects eligible for funding for amounts over $25,000 will be subject to the review and approval process of the Provincial Government Treasury Board. Grants will generally not exceed $50,000.

All applicants will be notified of decisions in writing. Successful Grant Recipients are required to sign a Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF) Grant Funding Agreement prior to awarding grant funding.

If more information is required, please contact us.

Project Proposal Review Periods

Project proposals are reviewed several times per year however to meet fiscal year end deadlines, project proposals must be received on or before December 15th. Multi-year projects may be considered, but grant applications must be submitted on an annual basis for review and approval.

To be considered for funding, all proposals must be submitted by the following deadlines:

Applicants will be notified in writing of decisions made about their proposals.

If more information is required, please contact us.

How to Apply

All proposals must follow the SDIF Project Proposal Guidelines to ensure a fair assessment of applicants. If you need assistance in completing the proposal, please contact us.

Electronic submissions are encouraged, but if mailing your project proposal, please save paper and copy on both sides.

We also appreciate receiving proposals that are unbound (no staples, coils, etc.)

You will receive an acknowledgement that we've received your submission by letter or e-mail. If you do not receive a receipt of submission, please follow up by contacting us.