Edmonton to host ICLEI World Congress 2009

Greening Edmonton through Partnership Funds

The most recent initiative to implement the EcoVision is the City of Edmonton Community Partnership Funding Program.  Monika Zimmermann, Director of ICLEI’s International Training Centre which is organising the ICLEI World Congress 2009, praises Edmonton for "taking their commitment to their citizens to make their EcoVision a reality".

The funds are being administered through the City of Edmonton, ICLEI Community Programme Sub-Committee.  They will be awarded to local organizations dedicated to building community awareness through engaging in environmentally sustainable activities with an aim to reduce their environmental footprint.  The City has a total of $50,000 available for the partnerships and is hoping to fund up to ten projects, each of which will be awarded $5,000.  The funding will be divided amongst existing and new community sponsored initiatives and awarded to not-for-profit organizations, First Nations, and private businesses.

The projects must engage and support the community; help members of the community reduce their environmental footprint; and support Edmonton’s vision for an environmentally sustainable city, EcoVision.  Furthermore, they should present opportunities for replication by other communities and serve as a venue for knowledge sharing and inclusiveness.

All funded projects are to be completed prior to the ICLEI World Congress, taking place from 14 to 18 June, 2009, so they can be showcased at the conference.