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COME UP WITH AN IDEA

Learn more about what kind of projects we support: check out our Funded Projects to see projects we have funded in the past, and to see where there are areas for growth. If you are applying for the Sustainability Living Labs Funding Program (SLLFP), you can find out more details here. To help guide the development of your project, you can think about what theme(s) your project addresses, or for the SLLFP you can think about which of Concordia University’s Climate Action Plan streams your project will address.

Our student sustainability projects all comprise one or more of our seven themes:

FOOD

These projects focus on the production and/or distribution of food on campus. This can include, for example, founding or maintaining an urban garden, improving available food options at an on- or near-campus outlet, or organizing an urban farmers’ market.

COMMUNITY

These projects seek to strengthen the Concordia community by hosting public events based on sustainability. This can include, for example, the provision or rehabilitation of a public space, or gatherings whose goal is not primarily educational.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

These projects seek to address a compelling social issue or need at Concordia, incorporating elements from the Community, Education & Research, and Health & Wellbeing categories of projects. Often these projects seek to organize a specific event or campaign in support of particular demands for change.

ENERGY, RESOURCES & TECHNOLOGY

These projects are primarily concerned with research and development of new technologies which will have an impact on sustainable development in the future.

EDUCATION

These projects seek to educate members of the campus community about topics in Sustainability, or provide them with new skills which they can use to further sustainable development at Concordia.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

These projects are centered around the health and wellbeing of members of the Concordia community, including projects seeking the support urban cycling and other physical activity, as well as projects to improve the physical environment of our campuses.

WASTE

These projects strive to reduce waste on campus, whether by reducing consumption or promoting recycling and reuse.

If you are applying for the Sustainability Living Labs Funding Program, your project must also address the goal(s)/target(s) outlined in Concordia University’s Sustainability Action Plan. The five streams are:
1. Food Systems Plan
2. Zero Waste Plan
3. Climate Action Plan
4. Sustainability in Research Plan
5. Sustainability in Curriculum Plan
1. Food Systems Plan
Vision for 2040

Become recognized as a leader in sourcing food that supports an environmentally and socially sustainable food system

Enhance the capacity to grow and to transform food on campus and maximize related learning opportunities

Provide healthy and affordable food options in every main University building where there are teaching activities taking place

Prioritized five-year goals and targets for Concordia Community

1.1 Increase sourcing of local/sustainable foods to 50% of total purchases in the summer and fall and 40%

1.2 Ensure that environmental and social sustainability is factored into all tenders/agreements/contracts concerning the food system

1.3 Recognize and reinforce the role of urban agriculture in advancing hands on learning, placemaking, and beneficial social impacts

1.4 Support the adoption of healthy, plant-based, allergen-free, and culturally inclusive food choices on campus

1.5 Reduce animal product (meat, poultry, fish/seafood, eggs, dairy) purchases to 30% of the total food budget

1.6 Reduce food waste and contribute to food security in our community

1.7 Achieve Fairtrade Silver status

1.8 Create an environment where community members can learn about food, from seed to plate, and offer students hands-on learning opportunities through projects that improve the campus food system

What does this mean?

1.1 Does your project aim to increase the availability of local and sustainable food for our community? (Ex. an urban agriculture project; a student-run cafe)

1.2 Does your project have the potential to inform food and beverage purchasing at Concordia in a way that promotes sustainability? (Ex: researching best practices in sustainable catering)

1.3 Does your project encourage administration-level endorsement and support for urban agriculture projects on campus?

or

Does your project outline the social, community-building, and / or educational benefits of urban agriculture projects on campus?

or

Does your project involve the community in urban agriculture at Concordia?

1.4 Does your project increase access to diverse food choices at Concordia? (Ex: Indigenous catering services)

1.5 Does your project offer education or access to plant-based food? (Ex: research and development around sustainable meat alternatives)

1.6 Does your project explore ways to reduce food waste at Concordia or support food security among our community? (Ex: emergency food baskets)

1.7 Does your project offer education or access to equitably and fairly sourced food on campus? (Ex: forming new equitable partnerships with food providers)

1.8 Does your project involve the community in urban agriculture at Concordia? (Ex: A new food gardening workshop series)

2. Zero Waste Plan
Vision for 2040

90% diversion of material waste from landfill through compost, recycling, and material reuse

50% reduction of total material waste (per full-time equivalent) through programs that encourage low-waste purchasing and materials reuse

Prioritized five-year goals and targets for Concordia Community

2.1 Nudge waste reduction and diversion performance beyond best practices and foster an innovative, curriculum and research-integrated program

2.2 Continue to support and expand reuse initiatives and create procurement policies & procedures favoring waste reduction and reuse

2.3 Bring waste performance to a competitive level, based on comparison with top-performing universities, by continuing to implement best practice initiatives

What does this mean?

2.1 Does your project provide innovative ways to minimize the volume of waste produced or to increase our compost and recycling at Concordia? Does your project tie in with and leverage research and classroom activities?

2.2 Does your project further the reuse of materials at Concordia? Does your project address sustainability at the purchasing stage?

2.3 Does your project offer support for Concordia to continue to increase our waste diversion and reduction efforts?

3. Climate Action Plan
Vision for 2040

Elimination of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions from all sources controlled and operated by Concordia University, including all building energy use and transportation operations

Full electrification of all transportation infrastructure at Concordia, including both vehicle fleets and university parking facilities

Carbon neutrality across all remaining sources of emissions

Prioritized five-year goals and targets for Concordia Community

3.1 Incorporate climate planning into University governance and operations

3.2 Reduce Concordia’s emissions from buildings by 25% compared to 2014-2015

3.3 Attain Vélosympathique Gold rating at both campuses

3.4 Increase electric transport infrastructure (vehicles and parking) to 10% of total infrastructure

3.5 Optimize and support the use of web conferencing software at Concordia

3.6 End all investments in the coal, oil and gas sectors for the Concordia University Foundation (CUF)

3.7 Achieve 100% sustainable investments for the CUF

3.8 Achieve 10% in social or environmental impact investments for the CUF

3.9 Develop a comprehensive plan for offsetting our Scope 3 (indirect) greenhouse gas emissions

3.10 Increase Concordia’s resilience in the context of a changing climate

What does this mean?

3.1 Does your project incorporate climate considerations directly into the structure or operations of your committee, unit or department?

3.2 Does your project address building energy use, energy efficiency, or fuel sources at Concordia?

3.3 Does your project aim to increase infrastructure, support, or community engagement around cycling?

3.4 Does your project seek to increase the use of electric vehicles or parking at Concordia?

3.5 Does your project offer new tools, educational resources, or programming around web conferencing?

3.6 Does your project address Concordia’s investments in the coal, oil, and gas sectors?

3.7 Does your project explore opportunities for sustainable investing at Concordia?

3.8 Does your project collect information about individual communities or projects that Concordia could be investing in?

3.9 Does your project contribute to carbon sequestration on a substantial scale? Does your project provide information on viable, sustainable carbon offset opportunities?

3.10 Does your project seek to explore or address climate-related exposure, vulnerabilities, or capacities in our community or infrastructure?

4. Sustainability in Research Plan
Vision for 2040

Foster an institutional culture that will position Concordia as a world leader in sustainability research with meaningful effects on society

Foster an institutional culture that will position Concordia as a world leader in sustainable research practices.

Prioritized five-year goals and targets for Concordia Community

4.1 Develop a framework to support interdisciplinary sustainability research at Concordia

4.2 Increase financial and operational support for faculty and students engaged in sustainability research

4.3 Promote and enhance Concordia research to enrich local, Canadian, and International communities

4.4 Monitor and reduce the ecological footprint of research, dissemination, and related activities conducted on and off-campus

What does this mean?

4.1 Does your project identify or develop avenues to support sustainability research across faculties and disciplines?

4.2 Does your project increase support for the development and completion of sustainability-related research projects at Concordia?

4.3 Does your project link Concordia research with communities outside of Concordia in ways that include, benefit, and enrich these communities?

4.4 Does your project seek to measure or address the harmful environmental impact of our research practices at Concordia?

5. Sustainability in Curriculum Plan
Vision for 2040

Work with faculty members to foster an understanding and practice of sustainability across the curriculum.

Immerse students in interdisciplinary settings.

Equip graduates to link their disciplinary training to broader social, environmental and economic issues, and be ready to enact change in their respective fields.

Prioritized five-year goals and targets for Concordia Community

5.1 Develop and deliver supports within the administration and delivery of the curriculum

5.2 Achieve a 20% threshold of sustainability-related courses

5.3 Increase the number of programs available to students that have a sustainability learning outcome

What does this mean?

5.1 Does your project provide support for faculty to develop and deliver sustainability content in the curriculum?

5.2 Does your project result in a new sustainability course at Concordia? Does your project increase the sustainability content of existing courses?

5.3 Does your project result in a new sustainability program at Concordia? Does your project increase the sustainability learning outcomes of existing programs?

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

Sustainability is a mindset and a process that leads to reducing our ecological footprint and enhancing social well-being while maintaining economic viability both on and off campus.

To be sustainable in our decisions and activities is to take a long-term perspective, recognize resource capacities and balance the interconnected nature of our environment, society and economy. Thus, sustainability encompasses both protecting the environment and maintaining its essential services for future generations, as well as addressing social issues and strengthening communities. Together, this environmental and social focus is necessary for achieving healthy, just, and equitable societies.

Sustainability-related projects can address a myriad topics, such as:

  • Climate change
  • Pollution (air, water, land, light, noise, etc.)
  • Environmental justice
  • Wildlife conservation and biodiversity
  • Resource depletion and waste management
  • Sustainable production and consumption
  • Sustainable transportation
  • Community-building
  • Community economic development and alternative business models
  • Poverty and income inequality
  • Labour
  • Food security and sovereignty
  • Gender and sexuality
  • Indigeneity
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Human health and wellness
  • Accessibility (ableism, disability, etc)

ELIGIBILITY

All students currently enrolled at Concordia University are eligible for funding from the Sustainability Action Fund. The main applicant of any potential project must be a registered student, but Concordia community members (including staff, faculty, and alumni) and individuals from the broader community can participate in a project. To be eligible for the Sustainability Living Labs Funding Program, project teams must have a Concordia Faculty and/or Staff team leader as well as a Concordia Student team leader.

YOU ARE INELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING IF...

You are ineligible for funding if you are already the main applicant for a project currently funded by SAF. You are also ineligible if you are not currently enrolled at Concordia University, you have opted-out from our fee-levy, or if your project does not work to make Concordia University more sustainable.

OUR CRITERIA

Only complete applications will be considered for funding. Before submission, ensure that your application clearly conveys the goals, planning, and impacts of your project. Also ensure that your project meets the following criteria for project funding, which are questions the Board asks when considering applications:

Innovation
Probability of Success
Holistic Approach
Cost-Effectiveness
Project Impact

Innovation

  1. The project is innovative: it deals with an important sustainability gap at Concordia, identifies a new problem and/or proposes a new solution
  2. The project enhances an existing project in a substantial way (rather than simple expansion, for instance)
  3. The project provides innovative alternatives to existing issues through engaging a new audience, forming new partnerships, experimenting with new processes

Probability of Success

  1. Team possesses the knowledge and skills to execute the project
  2. Demonstrates a clear commitment to carry through the project
  3. Detailed and realistic timeline
  4. The budget is well-researched, comprehensive, detailed, and realistic
  5. Effective communication and outreach strategy to engage the Concordia community and established partnerships (financial or other) and links to important resources

Holistic Approach

  1. The project’s core content genuinely addresses environmental and/or social sustainability issues, and is not just greenwashed.
  2. The project’s process includes considerations of environmental and social impact.

Cost-Effectiveness

  1. The project maximizes the impact of the funding they will receive

Project Impact

  1. The project nurtures learning and/or behaviour change at Concordia (and beyond) and decreases ecological footprint of Concordia and/or enhances student life
  2. It provides engagement opportunities for Concordia students; for example: volunteering, educational experience, applied research, leadership and/or paid work
  3. The application details the methods and metrics used to measure the project’s impact
  4. The idea/project can be transferred to other universities and/or community groups and/or has a longer-term vision, including the possibility of institutionalization

The Board will also consider the elements of your project in light of the amount of funding you are requesting, such as the quality of your stakeholder collaboration and your budget preparedness for a large-scale project. See below for ideas of what you will need to consider based on your funding range (note that these are just guidelines, and every project is considered on a case-by-case basis):

$1500 or less
$1,500 to $10,000
$10,000 or more
Projects that are short term, one time events, or start-ups that are seeking $1,500 or less, are eligible to be funded up to 100% of their project’s budget.
Projects that request between $1,500 and $10,000 will be reviewed to determine what percentage of their project budget is eligible for SAF funding. These projects should also investigate secondary sources of funding.
For projects requesting $10,000 or more, it is expected that at least 50% of the project’s total expenses be funded by other appropriate sources. The project should also have a long term outlook that involves collaboration with numerous Concordia affiliated stakeholders.
$1,500 or less
$1,500 to $10,000
$10,000 or more
$1,500 or less

Projects that are short term, one time events, or start-ups that are seeking $1,500 or less, are eligible to be funded up to 100%  of their project’s  budget.

$1,500 to $10,000

Projects that request between $1,500 and $10,000 will be reviewed to determine what percentage of their project budget is eligible for SAF funding. These projects should also investigate secondary sources of funding.

$10,000 or more

For projects requesting $10,000 or more, it is expected that at least 50% of the project’s total expenses be funded by other appropriate sources. The project should also have a long term outlook that involves collaboration with numerous Concordia affiliated stakeholders.

HOW CAN I USE SAF FUNDING?

The proposed budget must include all the items that you need funding for, their associated costs, an assessment of your ability to find reused or recycled materials, and plans for storage. Once approved, only those amounts will be granted.

Generally speaking, payment is issued as a reimbursement following the submission of original invoices and a cheque requisition form. In certain exceptional cases, the funds can be disbursed before the applicant has incurred any costs, contingent on the submission of an invoice stating the cost of the item, a cheque requisition form, and prior approval of the Chief Financial Officer.

Generally speaking, SAF funding can be allocated towards:
  • Projects/events that address environmental or social issues in both process AND content.
  • Tools and equipment if they are integral to the project. All the material purchased with a SAF grant must be permanently installed and remain part of the project for its lifetime, or be returned to SAF.
  • Outreach materials like posters, web hosting, zines, and more.
  • Honoraria, which are approved on a case-by-case basis. Project applicants must demonstrate that the honorarium is essential and central to the project. The Board will seek to assess if the distribution of the honorarium benefits and impacts the most students possible.
  • Outside experts, speakers, and/or technical experts who are not affiliated with Concordia University for their services.
  • Catering and event expenses from sustainable (environmentally- and socially-conscious) sources.
  • Space booking expenses.
Conversely, SAF funding will not be allocated towards:
  • Projects/events that only address environmental or social issues in their process, and not their content.
  • Projects/events with no or very limited student engagement and with no or limited impact on the Concordia campus. SAF is a Concordia fee levy organisation, therefore funded projects must provide engagement opportunities to students.
  • Airfares. The aviation industry has a significant impact on climate change. It is responsible for 5-9% of the total climate change impact of human activity.
  • Projects/events supporting or supported by the fossil fuel industry or other corporations whose practices are not aligned with the SAF mandate.
  • Non-applied research projects with limited sustainability impact on Concordia’s campus.
  • Projects/events requesting retroactive funding. The board may decide to make an exception depending on the circumstances.
  • Operational funding for established or start-up organizations may not be eligible. This includes core staff salaries, general meeting expenses, professional development costs, insurance, utilities, etc.

Please note: If you are applying for funding on behalf of an organization that collects a student fee-levy, the SAF retains the right to request up-to-date financial information on your organization during the SAF application process.

SAMPLE METRICS

Below you will find quantitative indicators used to assess the sustainability impact and the general success of projects. The metrics are devised into three categories: community engagement, environmental and social. When applying for funding, you will be asked to select seven (7) indicators that you will track during your project.

Community Engagement Metrics
Environmental Metrics
Social Metrics

Community Engagement Metrics

Applies to almost all projects funded by SAF. While not every project is able to achieve all of the objectives listed below, they should help guide your strategic thinking about who you want to engage with your project.

Number of Students Engaged

Number of Faculty Members Engaged

Number of Staff Engaged

Number of community members Engaged

Number of Volunteers (total)

Number of Hours Worked/Volunteered

Number of Attendees

Number of Departments Engaged

Number of Faculties Engaged

Number of other Project Partners (e.g. student groups, external groups, etc.)

Number of Students Receiving Credit

Number of Studies Conducted

Number of Papers Published

Environmental Metrics

Useful for projects looking to make a direct contribution to the health of Concordia’s physical environment, either through raising awareness about environmental issues, implementing energy-saving programs, reducing waste, or undertaking natural conservation efforts. Please note that Organic food includes all food, which is eligible to be labelled as Organic through the “National Organic Standard” as determined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Sustainable Food includes all food that is grown within 100km of the event where it is served, and grown by workers making a living wage. Please note that not all “Sustainable” food is “Organic”, and that not all “Organic” food is “Sustainable”.

Number of Talks/Presentations given by Concordia community members

Number of Talks/Presentations given by external speakers

Number of Talk/Presentation Attendees

Number of Conferences Presented

Number of Conference Attendees

Energy Savings (KJ)

Carbon Savings (Kg)

Fuel Savings (litres)

Waste Collected (Kg)

Waste Diverted From Landfill (Kg)

Amount of Material Recycled (Kg)

Amount of Material Reused (Kg)

Amount of Material Composted (Kg)

Amount of Rainwater Captured

Amount of Water Recycled (L)

Amount of Water Conserved (L)

Number of building audits conducted

Size of interior space audited (m^3)

Number of buildings monitored

Percentage of Organic food used

Percentage of Sustainable food used

Amount of On-Campus grown food purchased (Kg)

Amount of Sustainable Food Served (Kg)

Amount of Organic Food Served (Kg)

Number of People Fed Sustainably

Amount of Land Converted into Green Space (m^2)

Number of Species protected

Number of people exposed to natural environments

Number of people exposed to local florae

Number of people exposed to local faunae

Social Metrics

Aimed at projects looking to make an impact in the field of social justice, either through conducting awareness events or campaigns, making resources available to groups and individuals, or lobbying decision-makers directly for change. This list should help you orient your project in terms of what sort of impact you are looking to make.

Number of Talks/Presentations given by Concordia community members

Number of Talks/Presentations given by external speakers

Number of Talk/Presentation Attendees

Number of Conferences Presented

Number of Conference Attendees

Number of Workshops facilitated by Concordia community members

Number of Workshops facilitated by Others

Number of Students Trained

Number of downloads of online resource

Number of publications used as course material

Number of courses using produced material

Number of letters/e-mails written to public servants (eg. Councillors, MNAs, MPs &c)

Number of letters/e-mails written to journalistic publications

Number of letters/e-mails printed in journalistic publications

Number of radio/TV interviews

Number of print interviews

Amount raised for Social Justice causes ($)

Number of Volunteers recruited

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