This call for expressions of interest is for the first of three deliverables and is the starter stream for local governments that are just starting to build natural asset considerations into their asset management practices. MNAI will provide technical assistance and support the local governments in developing a roadmap to determine short- to medium-term steps.

This roadmap development exercise involves some cohort learning among municipal peers and one-on-one capacity building with each local government. It will consist of:

• A one-hour natural asset management 101 workshop involving participants from up to 10 local governments.
• A 2.5-hour workshop with each participating local government to help them develop their roadmap.
• A roadmap template that each local government will complete.
• Coaching to prioritize roadmap objectives and guidance on how to begin.
• A one-hour cohort learning workshop to share results and lessons from the roadmaps.
• Certificate of completion of a Natural Asset Management Roadmap for each local government that includes the names of all participants.

The expected duration of this roadmap development exercise from beginning to end is 6-8 weeks. The total level of effort for the local government project lead is estimated to be 1-2 days, which includes coordination, collection of documentation and information, and completion of the roadmap template. For additional local government participants, time can be limited to workshop participation only.

• All Canadian local governments are eligible to participate.
• Minimum three staff per participating local government.
• Local elected officials are welcome to participate.
• Very small local governments can include two staff and one local elected official.
• Staff participating should be cross-functional, ideally including a finance official or senior administrator, public works or engineering staff, environmental sustainability or planning staff.

Note: Small local governments with populations under 1,000 that collaborate on asset management with neighbouring local governments may apply together to develop a single roadmap, and share the cost of participating.