NAPECA Grant Program: C$1.3 Million for Community-based Circular Economy Strategies to Improve Local Well-being and the Environment
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 21 October 2025 — The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is calling for applications for the new cycle of the North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) grant program. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the NAPECA program invites proposals from organizations that want to implement community-based circular economy initiatives and strategies to improve local well-being and the environment in North America.
Our current linear economy is putting pressure on natural systems, communities and public health. Shifting to a circular model, by improving how we manage and use resources throughout their life cycles, can unlock new financial and environmental opportunities, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for everyone. A community-based approach ensures circular initiatives and strategies are tailored to local priorities, delivering tangible solutions that benefit local well-being and enable lasting meaningful changes.
Projects supported under the 2026–2028 NAPECA grant cycle must propose circular economy initiatives or strategies implemented at the community-level, such as:
- finding innovative ways of collecting and reusing plastics found in waterbodies and other natural environments;
- developing zero waste strategies or plans to reduce or eliminate single-use items;
- repurposing municipal, industrial, agricultural or construction waste at the highest value possible;
- implementing share, reuse or repair community action;
- establishing circular procurement frameworks;
- supporting innovation and the design and commercialization of circular products;
- and building communities of practice.
The type of project activities put forward may include, but are not limited to, carrying out community awareness campaigns or educational programs, creating information resources, sharing good practices, training and capacity building, networking and implementing pilot projects.
The CEC will accept proposals for up to C$150,000. Eligible applicants include tribal nations, Indigenous Peoples and communities, entities incorporated as nonprofit organizations, and academia in Canada, Mexico or the United States.
Information on the application process and the selection criteria is available in the Call for Proposals. The deadline for submitting proposals is 1 December 2025 (5:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. CT) and projects will start in May 2026.
To apply for the NAPECA grant program, get more information, or learn about previous grant recipients, please visit www.cec.org/napeca.
For any questions, please contact napeca@cec.org.
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About the CEC
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) focuses on strengthening the protection of the environment and fosters sustainable development across North America—for the benefit of all, today and into the future. The CEC facilitates knowledge exchange, develops resources and tools, and promotes inclusive and diverse public engagement. Since its creation in 1994, the CEC has been a unique example of regional collaboration.
The CEC was established by the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States through the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, a parallel environmental agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). As of 2020, the CEC operates in accordance with the Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), which entered into force at the same time as the CUSMA/T-MEC/USMCA trade agreement.
Find out more at: www.cec.org