Green Infrastructure Cohort
Free professional consulting services to develop Green Infrastructure for your community.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Submit by May 31, 2026
Canada’s smaller communities are facing increasing pressures from climate change, especially in the areas of stormwater management, water quality, and shoreline resilience. To help address these challenges, the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS), in partnership with NAMS Canada, is offering targeted, hands-on support for Green Infrastructure projects in local governments and First Nations across the country.
What You’ll Gain
- Free One-on-one consultation services from a member of the CRIS Roster
- A report that identifies evidence‑based options for improving or adapting green infrastructure in response to climate-related risks
- Support in aligning your project with grant and other funding applications.
- Virtual Networking and Peer Learning Opportunities
Green Infrastructure Project Types
Eligible Green Infrastructure projects for this cohort include:
- Stormwater Management (E.g. Bioswales, Permeable surfaces, Naturalized retention ponds, Green streets)
Water Source Quality Protection (E.g. Riparian buffer restoration, Natural watershed filtration systems)
Submission Criteria
Eligible local governments and non profit organizations must:
- Serve a population of approximately 30,000 or less.
- Have a green infrastructure project identified in a capital plan, operational plan, asset management plan, climate action plan, or strategic plan.
- Commit to participating in a 12-16 week virtual cohort process, including expert sessions and peer activities.
How to Submit
To submit a service request, participants simply need to fill out the online CRIS intake form, which can take as little as 15 minutes.
Submissions are due by May 31st, 2026. Sign up here!
Participation is limited and service requests will be reviewed on a first‑come, first‑served basis
The Green Infrastructure Cohort is offered in partnership with NAMS Canada as part of the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service, delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute and funded by the Government of Canada.
About the Green Infrastructure Cohort
No. Participation in the Resilient Housing Cohort is fully funded through the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS) program, delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute and funded by the Government of Canada.
Projects must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Ownership: Eligible infrastructure assets must be owned and operated by a local government, municipality, band council, other indigenous local governing body, or by a non-profit organization that is delivering infrastructure services in partnership with a local government in Canada.
- Population: The project serves a population of approximately 30,000 or less. Eligible Example: A regional municipality with a population of > 30,000 whose infrastructure project will serve a Town with a population of < 30,000.
- Project Stage: To show that the green infrastructure project is a demonstrated priority for the local government or band council, it should be included in an official strategic document (e.g., capital plan, asset management plan, OCP) or have formal acknowledgement as a priority from a senior authority from your community (e.g., Chief Administrative Officer, band council, housing board of directors).
- Project Type: To be eligible for this Cohort, projects should focus on:
- Stormwater Management (E.g. Bioswales, Permeable surfaces, Naturalized retention ponds, Green streets)
- Water Source Quality Protection (E.g. Riparian buffer restoration, Natural watershed filtration systems)
The cohort is delivered over approximately 12 to 16 weeks. Participants should expect to attend 3-4 virtual expert led webinars during this time. Additional work is coordinated directly between participants and their assigned expert.
The Cohort is delivered entirely virtually to maximize accessibility for communities across Canada. Sessions include expert‑led webinars, facilitated peer learning, and direct engagement with CRIS roster experts.
CRIS participants receive one-on-one technical consulting from a member of the Roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts.
These experts will work directly with participating communities to develop practical, evidence‑based options for improving or adapting green infrastructure in response to climate-related risks.
Participants leave with an Options Report that identifies and assesses costs and feasibility to develop and enhance stormwater management and water source quality protection.
Interested communities submit a simple CRIS service request form linked here before May 31st, 2026. Submissions are reviewed on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and participation is limited.
Learn More about Cohorts
Interested in getting involved in a CRIS Cohort in your province or territory? Learn about our other ongoing cohort opportunities offered with trusted national partners.
