Canada is entering a pivotal moment in its journey toward sustainability. As new environmental challenges emerge and industries shift toward cleaner, greener solutions, one thing has become clear: the country needs a strong, diverse, and well-supported environmental workforce.

This is why we are proud to introduce the ECO Foundation, a new initiative created to empower the students, innovators, and emerging leaders who will shape Canada’s environmental future.

What Is the ECO Foundation?

The ECO Foundation is a charitable initiative established by ECO Canada to support and strengthen Canada’s environmental workforce. Our mission is simple but powerful: to remove barriers, open doors, and create opportunities for the next generation of environmental professionals.

We work to provide scholarships, support research, and build partnerships that help students and young professionals succeed in the growing green economy.

Whether a student is studying environmental science, sustainability, clean technology, water resources, conservation, or any related field, the ECO Foundation exists to help them reach their potential.

Why the ECO Foundation Matters

Canada’s path to a sustainable future depends on fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and people from all backgrounds contributing to environmental progress. Yet many talented students face financial obstacles or lack access to mentorship and career support.

The ECO Foundation was created to address these challenges by:

• Reducing financial barriers for students pursuing environmental and sustainability studies
• Promoting diversity and inclusion in the environmental workforce
• Supporting innovation in climate action, clean technology, and nature-based solutions
• Connecting education with real labour market needs through research and partnerships

Our goal is to ensure that anyone with passion and potential has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the environment.

Our First Major Initiative: ECO Foundation Scholarships

To begin this mission, the Foundation is launching the ECO Foundation Scholarships, created to support post-secondary students across Canada. These awards recognize leadership, community impact, academic excellence, and dedication to building a more sustainable world.

Scholarship categories include:

• Environmental Leadership
• Indigenous Environmental Stewardship
• Women in Sustainability
• Clean Technology and Innovation
• Blue Economy and Marine Sustainability
• Community Impact and Equity

These scholarships are built on an inclusive and evidence-based framework that ensures fairness and national reach.

Building a Strong Environmental Workforce Together

The ECO Foundation is more than a funding program. It is a commitment to developing the people who will lead Canada’s environmental sector forward.

We are building connections between students, educators, industry, government, and communities to create lasting impact.

This is only the beginning of what we aim to achieve.