First Nation Adapt Program

Overview of the First Nation Adapt Program program:

The First Nation Adapt (FNA) Program, administered by Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), supports First Nations in addressing their unique climate change adaptation priorities. Designed to empower self-determined climate action, the program funds projects that assess climate change risks, identify adaptation strategies, and implement targeted solutions. These initiatives can address challenges such as flooding, sea level rise, drought, wildfires, winter road failures, and risks to cultural or archeological sites. Activities may include gathering Indigenous Knowledge, conducting scientific assessments, mapping hazards (e.g., flood mapping), and integrating adaptation measures into community land-use or emergency management plans. The program also supports small-scale implementation projects (up to $250,000) such as native vegetation planting, backflow valves for flood control, or fuel management to mitigate wildfire risks. CIRNAC staff provide advisory support to help communities design and refine project proposals that align with their specific needs and priorities. For the 2025–2026 fiscal year, $9.75 million in contribution funding is available. The program is highly flexible, community-driven, and encourages First Nations to propose context-specific adaptation measures that foster environmental, cultural, and economic resilience.

Benefits of the First Nation Adapt Program program:

• Provides direct financial support for community-led climate adaptation projects.
• Enables First Nations south of the 60th parallel to address localized environmental challenges.
• Supports a wide range of project types, including:
• Climate risk assessments and adaptation planning.
• Integration of Indigenous Knowledge and scientific data.
• Hazard mapping and community risk identification.
• Implementation of small-scale adaptation measures (e.g., vegetation restoration, flood protection, wildfire mitigation).
• Encourages self-determination in setting climate priorities.
• Offers ongoing staff support for proposal development, eligibility discussions, and technical guidance.
• Promotes environmental protection, cultural site preservation, and long-term resilience in First Nations communities.
• Helps communities build capacity for sustainable, climate-resilient development

Eligibility criteria of the First Nation Adapt Program program:

• Eligible applicants must be:
• First Nation communities located south of the 60th parallel; or
• First Nation organizations, including:
• Band councils
• Tribal councils
• First Nation associations
• Self-governing First Nations governments
• Other recognized First Nations entities
• Projects must:
• Be led by a First Nation or First Nation organization.
• Focus on climate change adaptation and resilience-building activities.
• Demonstrate community support, such as a band council resolution.
• Be designed to address specific local environmental challenges (e.g., flooding, drought, wildfire risk).
• For Northern First Nations (north of the 60th parallel), applicants should instead consider the Climate Change Preparedness in the North Program.