Funding & Projects

The CIF is no longer accepting REOI applications as it winds up operations in accordance with Ontario provincial Ministry directives.

Request for Expression of Interest

The Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) is a vehicle to solicit high quality proposals for funding of projects consistent with the priorities established for the CIF as detailed in its annual Operations Plan. This process will enable the CIF to determine which projects represent the greatest benefit to blue box programs in Ontario and to allocate funding appropriately to optimize the return from available funds within the priority project areas identified.

Those interested in applying for a grant to an individual municipality are strongly encouraged to read the 2021 Interim Operations Plan, and contact CIF staff to discuss their project idea. 

Priority on projects of collective benefit

The 2021 Interim Operations Plan continues to prioritize the goals and objectives established through the Fund’s strategic plan while acknowledging the implications of the Minister’s directive to end the Fund as soon as practical. With these issues in mind, this year’s Plan includes funding of transitional support initiatives. These are intended to be of collective benefit providing research, Ontario-based data, and guidance to municipalities as a whole across the Province. Criteria continue to place emphasis on projects that demonstrate collective benefit to municipalities across the Province, avoid development of stranded, obsolete or inefficient assets, and can be completed within short timelines.

Transitional support initiatives include:

  • Collection and processing research
  • Collection and processing pilots
  • Performance analytics and better practices promotion
  • Waste compositions studies

A Collective Benefit means a cost, marketing, technical, knowledge, procedural, administrative, and/or transition-related improvement to Ontario’s Blue Box Recycling Program that demonstrates the potential to be implemented in more than one Ontario municipality.

A shift from the annual REOI application process

The 2021 Interim Operations Plan provides $1.52 million to invest in accordance with CIF’s priorities. This year, the CIF will shift away from its usual project funding approach and will not issue an annual REOI. The majority of the 2021 initiatives will be led by the CIF and developed through consultation with strategic municipal group partnerships.

Proposals for project funding to individual municipalities will be processed on a continuous intake basis and on a ‘first come first served’ basis until the available funds are fully committed or the CIF receives new direction. Provision of grants to individual municipalities will no longer be offered after September 30, 2021.

This change recognizes the need to expedite completion of any new initiatives within the projected remaining life expectancy of the CIF. Priority will be given to projects that can be fully completed by year end 2022. Staff will work with prospective proponents to develop projects that meet current priorities and strict timelines. Approvals will be granted on a case-by-case basis using the approved evaluation criteria and approval processes.

Please note, for the CIF/SO Waste Composition Studies continuous intake does not apply and a deadline will be set for those applications . Those interested in waste composition studies are encouraged to contact staff and discuss their needs.

Decisions on grant opportunities may be postponed, amended, or terminated, at the sole discretion of CIF Committee, in the event that a material change to the Blue Box Program Plan or associated legislation occurs prior to any decision by the CIF on project funding.