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file also available in ODT format

If you have a great idea that you want to see carried through, come and talk to us. We can help you find other people with the same interests and the skills that you need, and we can eventually fund your project if it is useful and affordable!

What kinds of projects are eligible?

UTERN will consider funding any project which stands to improve the environment or mitigate the University’s environmental impact on any of the U of T campuses, or educate, inform, or mobilize students, faculty, and/or the public around environmental issues. Beyond these guidelines, potential projects are limited only by students’ imagination.
Generally, these kinds of projects fall into three categories: infrastructure, events and publications. Infrastructure projects involve building, purchasing, and/or maintaining some sort of environmental project: i.e., solar panels, wind turbines, green roofs, organic gardens, composting programs, recycling programs, etc. Events of any sort – speaking events, debates, workshops, conferences, rallies, etc. – are eligible for funding, so long as they are at least in part geared towards environmental issues. Publications in any style of media – print, audio, video, internet – are eligible to receive funding so long as they aim to expand awareness of environmental issues. However, if students can think of projects outside of these categories, they are encouraged to surprise us!

Keep in Mind

UTERN looks more favourably on projects which live the sustainability they hope to encourage. To help, UTERN has included documents which may help your project be more green, and in turn increase your chances for full UTERN funding.

• Eco-preferable Paper Purchasing
• Sustainable Conferences Protocol (UTERN thanks involved in the creation of this document)

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

In order to apply for UTERN funds, students must be part of a student group recognized by one of the following bodies: Students’ Administrative Council (SAC), Student Affairs (SA), Erindale Campus Students’ Union (ECSU), and/or Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU).
At the St. George Campus, because of the large quantity of student groups, UTERN requires that any applicant for funding be working in partnership with at least one other group. These partner groups do not necessarily have to be officially recognized student groups and may also include academic departments and programs, facilities at the University of Toronto, and community groups.
At the suburban campuses, we do not hold partnership with another group as a requirement, although it is still encouraged. This is because there is only a limited number of student groups at these campuses.

Priorities
The UTERN Board of Directors has identified a list of key priority issues at the University of Toronto to be addressed through student-initiated projects.

• Waste
• Transportation
• Residence Development/Sustainability
• Food Services
• Biodiversity
• Environmental Policy
• Environmental Community Leadership/Involvement

Guidelines

Successful proposals are generally ones that clearly define issues and provide realistic strategies and work plans. UTERN asks applicants to report on their projects and develop plans for evaluating and disseminating the results of their initiatives. Solid proposals should demonstrate how the organization(s) involved will:

• Build leadership and organizational capacity to ensure a greater impact on the environment.
• Promote a better understanding of the relationship between human activity and the environment.
• Reflect community diversity and include individuals and organizations with different points of view and experiences related to the environment.
• Build networks and partnerships within the environmental community.
• Measure, document and share the results of the proposed event, project or activity.

Funding for any one project or activity is dependent on many external factors, e.g. how many requests are received at the same time and the funds available at the time. While these factors cannot be controlled, we do suggest that you do everything possible to demonstrate that your Group or Collaborative is very committed to the fulfillment of the proposed event, project or activity. Ensure your proposal includes a sound work plan and evaluation process, firm deadlines, a strong base of support from a group of volunteers, if necessary. Perhaps most importantly of all, a solid proposal must include a detailed budget which demonstrates exactly how your group proposes to spend the money.

The best way to maximize your chances of receiving funding is to submit the proposal as early as possible before your organization actually requires the funds. This allows us time to review the proposal and offer feedback, which leads to a stronger overall proposal and better chances of acceptance.

Apply!

Does that sound like you and your idea? Apply Now!

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