This article is part of our Strengthening Communities Through Climate Adaptation series. Each piece shares practical ideas and offers real-world strategies to help communities plan, fund and carry out climate adaptation projects that reflect their local priorities.
Climate impacts rarely respect municipal boundaries. Floodwaters don’t pause at the edge of a map. Wildfire smoke doesn’t check which town it’s blowing into. And extreme heat or cold puts pressure on shared systems, whether it’s water, roads or emergency services.
That’s why regional collaboration is becoming one of the most practical tools in climate adaptation. For smaller or lower-capacity communities in particular, working with neighbouring municipalities or neighbouring Indigenous communities, regional organizations, or conservation authorities, can open up new ways to plan, access funding and deliver projects that benefit everyone.
Collaboration is strategy
You don’t need to be a part of a large regional network to collaborate. It can start small: a joint feasibility study, a shared consultant, or a coordinated planning effort to assess local risks and opportunities. When communities pool knowledge, staff time, or even application resources, it helps reduce duplication and strengthens everyone’s ability to move forward.
Funding also goes further when partners are aligned. You may be able to apply jointly, increase your cost-share contribution, or make a more compelling case for project impact by showing a broader benefit across jurisdictions.
Practical ways to partner:
- Work with a neighbouring municipality or indigenous community to co-develop a project or plan
- Use shared consultants or contractors to reduce administrative and project management load
- Take advantage of local training opportunities or join a Community of Practice to build skills, learn from experts and connect with peers
- Coordinate timelines for funding applications, planning updates or public engagement
- Look for opportunities to align regional infrastructure, land use or natural asset priorities
- Talk to local conservation authorities, watershed groups or regional planning bodies about shared risks and data
Where GMF funding and support comes in
The Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative was designed with flexibility in mind. Many of its funding offers support collaborative approaches. In fact, joint projects may be eligible for a cost-share top-up when collaboration is clearly demonstrated. For example, neighbouring communities along a shared watercourse might team up on a flood management project using nature-based solutions. When collaboration like this is clearly demonstrated, Adaptation in Action funding can include a 10% top-up to help support the effort.
Beyond funding, there are also peer learning opportunities like the Adaptation in Action Community of Practice and a range of training and planning tools offered by GMF Partners to help communities think regionally while staying rooted in local realities.
Moving forward, together
Climate adaptation doesn’t have to mean going it alone. In fact, the path forward is often easier—and more effective—when it’s shared. Working with other communities can unlock funding, reduce pressure on your internal team, and lead to solutions that reflect the real systems your residents rely on.
If you’re not sure where to begin, start by reaching out to your Provincial or Territorial associations. Or ask your neighbours. The challenges you’re facing probably aren’t yours alone.
And the solutions don’t have to be either.
Learn how GMF’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative can support shared efforts and help your community plan with purpose.
Explore more from this series:
- Nature is community infrastructure
- Smart planning for resilient Prairie communities
- Adaptation is an investment that works for your bottom line
- Climate adaptation: You might be closer than you think
- How to make your climate adaptation funding go further