Local Leadership for Climate Adaption (under GMF)
Department - Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Description: GMF’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation (LLCA) initiative provides funding and skills development support to local governments to adapt and build long-term resiliency to the impacts of climate change. By 2031, this $530M initiative will fund more than 1,400 municipal activities.
- Climate-Ready Plans and Processes – Integration of equitable and inclusive climate resilience into municipal plans, processes and management systems, such as asset management systems planning. Up to a maximum of $140,000.
- Adaption in Action – Increased implementation of equitable climate adaptation action taken by Canadian municipalities.
- Financing Adaptation – Increase in new financing models utilized/leveraged by Canadian municipalities to finance climate adaptation capital projects.
- Capacity Development Partner Grants – funds partners to design and deliver training that will help local governments advance their climate adaptation knowledge and technical skills.
Deadline:
Climate-Ready Plans and Processes Funding: November 29th, 2024.
Adaption in Action: Available February 2025.
Financing Adaptation: Available Spring 2025.
Capacity Development Partner Grants: Closed August 7th.
Adaption in Action: Available February 2025.
Financing Adaptation: Available Spring 2025.
Capacity Development Partner Grants: Closed August 7th.
Website: Local Leadership Climate Adaption
Treemendous Communities
Department - Organization: Tree Canada
Description: Eligible projects receive funding up to $10,000 to cover the cost of purchasing and planting trees and shrubs, site preparation, tree maintenance, planting materials and developing education materials. They accept a wide range of project proposals such as heat island mitigation projects, biodiversity corridors, stormwater retention, invasive species control, riparian planting, park and street tree plantings, and more.
Deadline: December 9th, 2024.
Contact: rseltzer@treecanada.ca
Website: Treemendous Communities
Growth and Renewal for Infrastructure Development Program
Department - Organization: Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Description: The program supports municipal infrastructure projects that address critical capacity issues, build more accessible and adaptable communities and preserve and expand services for housing.
- water, wastewater and stormwater
- accessibility
- climate change adaptation
Deadline: December 13th, 2024
Contact: GRID@novascotia.ca
Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: Utility Support Stream currently accepting expressions of interest. The program supports utilities and system operators in modernizing their systems and integrating renewables while maintaining reliability and affordability. Will fund deployment of grid modernization projects; and utility pre-development projects. Grid modernization deployment projects include upgrades and expansions to transmission and distribution systems, and technology upgrades which increase the future integration of clean electricity generation.
Deadline: EOI December 13th, 2024
Contact: sreps-erite@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca (Email for EOI form)
Offshore Wind Indigenous and Coastal Communities Grant Funding
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The objective of the program is to help Indigenous and coastal communities’ (in NS & NFLD) in accessing technical and professional support to carry out engagement activities with the offshore wind energy industry, regulators, the public sector, and others as required. This support is intended to increase community knowledge of offshore wind energy development and increase their readiness to participate in offshore wind related consultations and engagements.
Eligble applicants include: legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including:
- For-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as regional and community development corporations, research associations and industry associations (e.g., fishing, marine, and boating associations), inclusive of fishers in Canada-Nova Scotia and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador offshore areas under the Accord Acts.
Up to 100% of project costs can be funded, at a maximum of $10,000 a year for 3 years. Stackable with other government funding sources.
Deadline: December 18th, 2024.
Codes Acceleration Fund
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency
Description: It will fund actions that will enable adoption of and compliance with the higher performance tiers set out in the 2020 codes, along with other high-performance codes such as net-zero emissions codes. The three objectives of the CAF are to: Accelerate the adoption and implementation of the highest feasible energy performance tiers of the national model energy codes or other high-performance building codes, such as net-zero emissions codes. Promote higher rates of compliance with adopted codes. Build capacity and support market preparedness for ambitious codes adoption. There are two streams, one for those with the authority to adopt energy ccodes, and one for those without the authority.
Examples: See examples of projects by clicking here.
Deadline: January 10th, 2025.
Website: Codes Acceleration Fund
Information Session(s): December 11th, 11:00 AST, register here.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant
Department - Organization: TD Bank
Description: The Foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs. The website states that municipalities are eligible. Eligible projects include park revitalization, community gardens, park programming and citizen science initiatives.
Deadline: January 15th, July 15th, annually.
Contact: tdfef@td.com
Intact Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants Program
Department - Organization: Intact Financial Corporation
Description: $2 million to support practical solutions that will help municipalities address extreme weather events, including floods and wildfires. Each project will be allocated a maximum of $200,000. Projects submitted for funding must:
- Target a community vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and mitigate the risk of flooding and wildfire
- Be completed within 1-2 years
- Have concrete outcomes and indicators of success
- Be scalable across the community
Deadline: January 31, 2025.
Growing Canada’s Community Canopies
Department - Organization: The Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Description: The program addresses common barriers local governments and communities face when pursuing tree canopy expansion projects, including insufficient staff capacity, gaps in knowledge and financing, addresses common barriers local governments and communities face when pursuing tree canopy expansion projects, including insufficient staff capacity, gaps in knowledge and financing. The program is a $291M initiative that will support planting at least 1.2 million trees.
Please also see 2Billion Trees Program, and the Thriving Forest Program.
Deadline: February 4, 2025.
Website: Growing Canada's Community Canopies
Charged for Change
Department - Organization: Aviva Canada/Earth Day Canada
Description: Funding for EV chargers and installation. Municipalities with less than 100,000 residents can receive funding for 100% of project costs, up to $125,000. Requirements:
- Be a recognized Canadian Municipality or Indigenous Community with less than 100,000 residents;
- Have a higher number of residents per charging head ratio than the provincial average (available in the applicant guide)
- Include the installation of new, permanent level 2 EV charger(s)
- Include a minimum of four (4) charging heads
- Increase charging opportunities locally via public charging infrastructure in any of the following areas: on-street, multi-unit residential buildings, or workplaces.
Deadline: February 20th, 2025.
Contact: chargedforchange@earthday.ca
Information Session(s): Recorded session on YouTube
Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
Department - Organization: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Description: This $1.4 billion, ten-year fund (2021-2031) is focused on supporting natural climate solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help achieve Canada’s emission reduction targets. NSCSF supports projects and initiatives that reduce the loss, restore, or improve the management of ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, peatlands and grasslands. These projects are expected to provide co-benefits such as wildlife habitat, water quality improvement, climate adaptation and value to communities. A new application period is expected to open later this year. Municipalities are encouraged to propose ideas and apply.
The minimum funding for this intake is $75,000 per project. The maximum funding available for a single project for this intake is $50 million allocated over a minimum period of 3 years (or $15 million per fiscal year).
Deadline: Now open for applications, continous intake until funding is allocated.
Website: Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund
Green Municipal Fund
Department - Organization: Infrastructure Canada/Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Description: GMF is more than just a funding source—they are a full-service partner in your climate action progress. Grants and loans for all stages. Stackable with other funding sources. Dedicated staff to help you apply. Free resources to help build business cases and improve project outcomes. Grants from $100-500k for up to 50% of eligible costs, combined grant and loan to a maximum of $10M for up to 80% of eligible costs.
- Community Energy Systems: Support for the adoption of renewable energy solutions that meet community needs and are aligned with a net-zero future.
- Accelerating Community Energy Systems initiative: Offering up to $200,000 in funding and a two-year peer learning program. This new initiative is expected to identify opportunity areas for low-carbon community energy systems (including renewable and district energy systems) within your community and develop mechanisms to support implementation.
- Information session: Novmeber 21st, 2024, 3:00 PM AST. Register by clicking here.
- Sustainable Municipal Buildings: Funding for high-efficiency new construction of municipal and community buildings, and retrofits of municipal buildings.
- Municipal Fleet Electrification: Funding for the electrification of municipal and transit fleets to help municipalities achieve net-zero transportation emissions.
- Organic Waste to Energy: Support for communities with established waste diversion programs to generate renewable energy from organic waste streams or landfill gas.
- Local Net-Zero Transformation: Funding for innovative projects that have significant GHG reduction benefits and are not eligible under other GMF funding offers.
Deadline: Accelerating Community Energy Systems initiative closes February 21st, 2025. Continuous intake on the other listed streams.
Contact: gmfinfo@fcm.ca or book a meeting with an advisor.
Website: Green Municipal Fund
Community Solar Program
Department - Organization: NS Department of Natural Resources and Renewables
Description: Please click here for an overview of the Community Solar Program. The program brings together local project owners with solar subscribers. Project owners are eligible individuals, businesses, non-profits, and other groups who wish to build, own, and operate a community solar garden to generate clean electricity for participating subscribers. Project owners can choose to use their solar garden to benefit subscribers from a specific community, group, or geographic area, or they can accept subscribers from the general public
Deadline: Continuous intake.
Website: Community Solar Program
Natural Asset Management Roadmap
Department - Organization: Intact Public Entities/ Natural Assets Initiative
Description: Intact Public Entities (IPE) has announced a new partnership with Natural Assets Initiative (NAI) to sponsor the Natural Asset Management Roadmap Program for municipalities (for those insured by Intact). Developed and led by NAI, the program provides direction, support and guidance to local governments as they develop roadmaps to account for natural assets in their asset management strategies. Roadmaps have proven to be a relatively low-effort, high-impact activity requiring no more than a few days of effort for the project lead and a few hours from the other staff participants; yet it provides a strong foundation for participants to get started on Natural Asset Management with confidence that they are on the right track.
Deadline: Open call for EOI
Contact: nikitab@naturalassetsinitiative.ca
Green Freight Program
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The program will help fleets reduce their fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from on-road freight through fleet energy assessments, fleet retrofits, engine repowers, best-practice implementation and the purchase of low-carbon vehicles. There are two streams, municipal governments are listed as eligible applicants on both streams. Stream 1 of the program provides grant funding up to a maximum of $250,000 per Applicant. Stream 2 contributes up to 50% of total project costs, up to a maximum of $5 million per project.
Example(s): Stream 1 includes Third-Party Fleet Energy Assessments; and/or Truck/Trailer Equipment Retrofits. Stream 2: They can include, but are not limited to, the purchase of fueling equipment, and costs associated with site preparation and networking equipment; however, land is not considered an eligible expenditure under this program. The retrofitting or upgrading of existing capital assets is included under this stream.
Deadline: Stream 1 is a continuous intake
Contact: freightassessment-evaluationdeflotte@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Energy Rebates & Solutions
Department - Organization: Efficiency Nova Scotia
Description: These programs include rebates, for a variety of measures to make municipal operations more efficient. Non-electric retrofits, which allow for the installation of heat pumps in municipal buildings. There is also support for engineered studies and models. You can use their online form to explain what you’re looking to achieve.
Deadline: Continuous intake
Mitacs Municipal Support
Department - Organization: Mitacs
Description: They offer funding (non repayable grants) and connect municipalities with post-secondary researchers for innovative projects — from affordable housing, green initiatives, transit, infrastructure, climate change — and more — to tackle your most difficult challenges and create vibrant and healthy communities.
- Non-repayable funding from $6,000 to multi-million.
- A custom-built research and innovation team to roadmap your project.
- Scalable, multidisciplinary projects in all areas.
- Academic/research team to give you the specialized knowledge and skills that you need.
- Works with you to resolve the major challenges that Canadian municipalities face
Example(s):
- The City of Peterborough was able to better assess the climate impact of their programs and activities through a collaboration with sustainability experts out of Trent University.
- In a joint project with the University of Victoria, the City of Vancouver increased its capacity to deploy green rainwater infrastructure and demonstrate benefits to residents and businesses alike.
- Research conducted by a Dalhousie University team aimed to provide reliable information to the Halifax Regional Municipality's urban forestry staff for improved decision-making to enhance the sustainability of the city’s tree population.
Deadline: Continuous intake
Contact: Form on the webpage
Website: Mitacs Municipal Support
Farm Credit Canada Community Fund
Department - Organization: Farm Credit Canada
Description: FCC Community Funding is to help enhance communities. Eligible organizations can apply for up to $10,000 in FCC Community Funding annually and applications are accepted year-round.
Deadline: Continuous intake
Contact: agrispirit-agriesprit@fcc-fac.ca
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: Provides funding for clean energy projects in rural and remote communities. Including biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems. There is also a stream for research, development, and demonstration projects. A rural community is defined as a community with a population of fewer than 5,000 people and a population density of fewer than 400 persons per square kilometre and not connected to the North American piped natural gas network. Remote community refers to a community not currently connected to the North American electrical grid or the piped natural gas network and is a permanent or long-term (5 years or more) settlement with at least 10 dwellings.
Example(s): Fort Nelson, BC: This investment will focus on community energy planning, feasibility modelling, design, permitting and resource assessment to support a geothermal electricity generation project under the Emerging Renewable Power Program.
Deadline: Continuous intake
PACE Programs
Department - Organization: Programs offered by Clean Foundation & Switch PACE & FCM
Description: Homeowners can access low-interest financing to cover the cost of these upgrades through PACE programs offered by their municipalities. Each municipality can have their own PACE program or can join a turnkey program. Such as the Clean Energy Financing program created by Clean Foundation, or Switch PACE. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities administers the Community Efficiency Financing program that offers loans and grants to help municipalities across Canada deliver energy efficiency and solar power financing programs for residential properties, including PACE.
Deadline: Continous
Contact: info@novascotiapace.ca
Websites:
2Billion Trees
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The program provides financial support to organizations to plant trees over 10 years. Please also see the Clean Foundation's sister program, the Thriving Forests Program.
Deadline: Open call for proposals
Contact: 2btrees-2garbres@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Thriving Forests Program
Department - Organization: Clean Foundation
Description: Thriving Forests is a sister program to the federal 2Billion Trees program. This program can help municipalities develop projects and connect them with service suppliers and local seed stock inventory. All projects must be planting incremental trees, meaning above and beyond any current legally-required tree planting activities, and not be part of business-as-usual commercial forestry activities.
Example(s): Examples of successful projects may include (but are not limited to): Reforesting an area after a wildfire, reforesting an urban area that has fallen to disease, afforestation on retired agricultural land, restoration of legacy forest landings or forest roads, urban planting projects, initiatives to improve biodiversity and habitat resilience, reforesting an area where disturbances impact a critical habitat, infill planting or underplanting to increase biodiversity of an area.
Deadline: Open for expression of interest
Contact: Rachael MacNeil, rmacneil@cleanfoundation.ca
Canada Public Transit Fund, Targeted Funding: Zero Emission Transit Fund
Department - Organization: Infrastructure Canada
Description: The fund is to support the electrification of public transit, support the purchase of 5,000 zero-emission buses and build supporting infrastructure, including charging infrastructure and facility upgrades. There is a planning stream and a capital stream.
Example(s): Eligible projects include studies, modelling and feasibility analysis that will support the development of future larger-scale capital projects. Eligible capital projects include buses, charging and refuelling infrastructure, and other ancillary infrastructure needs.
Deadline: Currently open for applications.
Contact: zetf-ftcze@infc.gc.ca
Website: Zero Emission Transit Fund
Max Bell Foundation Grants
Department - Organization: Max Bell Foundation
Description: The Max Bell Foundation makes grants to support projects that are designed to inform public policy. They do so across four program areas: Education; Environment; Health & Wellness; and Civic Engagement and Democratic Institutions. A typical project supported by Max Bell Foundation ranges from 1-3 years in duration and has a budget that ranges from approximately $10,000 to $200,000. Max Bell Foundation is often the only financial supporter of projects they fund. Not for building or service delivery, it is for projects that inform public policy. You can view previous grants awarded here: https://www.maxbell.org/about-us/grants-database/
Deadline: Continuous intake
Contact: Contact Form
Website: Max Bell Foundation Grants
Municipal Adoption Fund
Department - Organization: Divert Nova Scotia
Description: Divert NS provides support for municipalities and/or waste management regions that wish to adopt a waste diversion program previously established in Nova Scotia.
Deadline: Continuous intake. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Regional Coordinator in advance of submitting their application.
Example(s): Curbside collection and recycling of textiles, Green cart collection of pet waste, Curbside collection and recycling of expanded polystyrene, Implementation of a reuse center, Curbside collection and recycling of small scrap metal.
Contact: Regional coordinator (To be updated ASAP)
Website: Municipal Adoption Fund
Municipal Efficiency Fund
Department - Organization: Divert Nova Scotia
Description: Divert NS provides support for increasing efficiency in the municipal solid waste-resource management system of Nova Scotia. The fund will support municipalities in researching, developing and implementing efficiency projects.
Deadline: Continuous intake. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Regional Coordinator in advance of submitting their application.
Example(s): Eligible projects under the program could include: Projects assessing the feasibility of shared services or regional collaboration. Projects that create new processes, systems and services or improve substantially those already in existence. Examples of past research can be found here.
Contact: Regional coordinator (To be updated ASAP)
Website: Municipal Efficiency Fund
R. Howard Webster Foundation
Department - Organization: R. Howard Webster Foundation
Description: The R. Howard Webster Foundation makes grants to outstanding Canadian charitable organizations offering unique and inspiring programs or projects for the benefit, improvement and development of Canadian society. The R. Howard Webster Foundation’s funding interests are within the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Medical, and Social Services.
Example(s): Does not fund capital projects. Previous grantees can be viewed on their website.
Deadline: Continuous intake
Contact: application@rhwfdn.ca
Website: R. Howard Webster Foundation
The McLean Foundation Grant
Department - Organization: The McLean Foundation
Description: They endeavour to maintain a flexible policy, with particular emphasis on projects showing promise of general social benefit but which may initially lack broad public appeal. Normally in the areas of social welfare, education, environmental conservation and the arts.
Deadline: Continuous
Contact: info@mcleanfoundation.ca
Website: The McLean Foundation Grant
McConnell Foundation Grants
Department - Organization: The McConnell Foundation
Description: The McConnell Foundation funds three areas; community, reconciliation, and climate. They fund a wide variety of projects and understand that applying for funding can take a lot of time and resources. Therefore, have designed a two-stage process meant to minimize the time required. Stage 1 consists of selecting the focus area your initiative is most aligned with, and submitting a short-form application.
- Community: spaces of collaboration and policy change that address barriers to social and economic inclusion
- Reconciliation: projects that allow communities to contribute to a reconciliation economy in relationship with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
- Climate: climate mitigation solutions.
Deadline: Continuous
Example(s): There is a database of previously funded projects, view it here. For example, funding to contribute to Community Connectors to run a series of community conversations over the next two years, to surface key issues, identify solutions, form natural support groups and disseminate community insights with mainstream organizations to influence systems change.
Contact: You can book a 15-minute appointment to determine if they are the right partner for your project.
Website: McConnell Foundation Grants
Currently Closed, Next Intake TBD:
Disaster Mitigation Adaption Fund
Department - Organization: Infrastructure Canada
Description: The fund is to help build infrastructure that will increase the resilience of communities impacted by natural disasters.
Examples(s): Dykeland system upgrades
Deadline: Intake is currently closed, waiting on further information.
Contact: dmaf-faac@infc.gc.ca
Website: Disaster Mitigation Adaption Fund
Carbon Surcharge Fund
Department - Organization: NSFM
Description: All carbon surcharge money collected is held in a special account and disbursed annually to support local, small-scale initiatives to help a municipality reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023 NSFM had $2342 to disburse.
Example(s): 2019: Town of Wolfville for its student sustainability orientation program. County of Victoria for its Reuse Centre in Baddeck. 2018: District of West Hants for its Water Leak Detection Program. 2017: Town of Middleton for its Bike Repair Station Project. 2017: County of Pictou for its Food Producers Network. 2016: District of Lunenburg for its Electric Bike Program. 2015: Town of Kentville for its Green Roof Project. 2014: County of Inverness for its Community Energy Reduction Project. 2013: District of West Hants for its Residential Water Conservation Initiative.
Deadline: Closed August, 2023. The next intake is in Summer 2024.
Contact: info@nsfm.ca
Website: Carbon Surcharge Fund
Joan Freynman Climate Change Fund
Department - Organization: Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia
Description: The grants are small matching grants for climate change-related projects throughout Nova Scotia. The grants are designed to support innovative, community-based action and to promote environmentally sustainable, socially supportive, and economically thriving communities. The program/service that is the focus of the project must be directed toward a rural area of Nova Scotia. Up to $5000.
Example(s): Clean Annapolis River Project.
Deadline: Closed February, 2023. Next intake TBD.
Contact: ed@rcfofns.com
Website: Joan Freynman Climate Change Fund
Natural Infrastructure Fund
Department - Organization: Infrastructure Canada
Description: The fund supports projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to protect the natural environment, support healthy and resilient communities, and contribute to economic growth and jobs.
Deadline: Currently not accepting applications, waiting on further information about additional funding for the program.
Contact: NIF-FIN@infc.gc.ca
Website: Natural Infrastructure Fund
Zero Emission Trucking Program
Department - Organization: Transport Canada
Description: The program will support municipalities to develop, modernize, and align the necessary guidelines, codes, standards and regulations to accelerate the safe deployment of zero-emission trucking in Canada. Up to $1 million per project, up to 75%.
Deadline: Closed. (Another intake is not anticipated)
Contact: ZETProgram-ProgrammeCZE@tc.gc.ca
Website: Zero Emission Trucking Program
Clean Fuels Fund (Federal)
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: This fund includes projects to improve logistics for the collection, supply, and distribution of biomass materials (e.g. municipal waste).
Deadline: Next intake TBD.
Contact: nrcan.cleanfuelsfund-fondsdecarburantspropres.rncan@canada.ca
Website: Clean Fuels Fund
Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: Supports projects that aim to increase awareness, knowledge and public confidence in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and public charging and refuelling infrastructure.
Example(s): Edmonton Electric Vehicle Trade Show
Deadline: Closed September, 2023. Next intake TBD.
EJ4Climate: Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience
Department - Organization: Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Description: Not open to municipalities in 2024.
Deadline: Closing November 14th, 2024. 5 pm EST.
Contact: vpronovost@cec.org
Community Climate Capacity Program
Department - Organization: Clean Foundation
Description: The program will be working with up to 15 Nova Scotian communities over three years, supporting their climate and sustainability measures by helping to identify their climate challenges and implement adaptation and mitigation actions. Municipalities will be provided with a dedicated staff of specialists who can help guide them through climate and sustainability initiatives at the local level. To apply for the Community Climate Capacity program, one must first submit an Expression of Interest by early November 2023.
Deadline: EOI closed November 17th.
Contact: ccc@cleanfoundation.ca
Website: Community Climate Capacity
Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund
Department - Organization: The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
Description:. The program provides competitive opportunities to encourage communities in their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Adaption includes built environment and climate-ready infrastructure, ecosystems and nature-based solutions, community coordination and planning. Mitigation includes buildings, transportation, energy generation and storage, waste management and circular economy, carbon storage and sequestration.
Deadline: Closed November 28, 2023
Contact: info@sccfns.ca
Website: https://nschallengefund.ca/
Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The program will provide funding to enable communities and sectors to work collaboratively at a regional scale to overcome barriers and develop coordinated solutions to climate change risks (e.g. increasing sea level rise, coastal erosion, storm surge) in coastal regions.
Example(s): Revise land use plans and policies, e.g. restrict types of development in high-risk areas. Apply revised codes and standards, e.g. building designs that minimize damage. Implement nature-based approaches to prevent shoreline erosion and reduce the impact of coastal flooding. Plan for the retreat of community assets, housing, or infrastructure away from coastal climate change hazards. Establish sustainable inclusive governance mechanisms. Determine financing approaches.
Deadline: Closed December 13th, 2023 (Another intake is not anticipated)
Contact: adaptation@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Municipal Capital Growth Program
Department - Organization: Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Description: The program supports investment in municipal infrastructure projects. Municipalities and villages can apply for funding from the Municipal Capital Growth Program to help reduce the cost of infrastructure projects that support the province’s growing population.
Example(s): Climate Change Adaptation: Capital Project Recommendations from Climate Hazard/Risk Assessments. Coastal and Inland Flooding Adaptations. Emergency prep: generators, water storage.
Deadline: Closed December 13th, 2023
Contact: MCGP@novascotia.ca
Website: Municipal Capital Growth Program
Sustainable Development Goals Program
Department - Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Description: In September 2015, Canada and 192 other UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda is a 15-year global framework centred on an ambitious set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes areas applicable to municipalities, such as sustainable cities and communities, decent work and economic growth, clean water and sanitation,
There are two streams to the funding program, 1) Grants, and 2) Contributions. The Grants stream of this Call for Proposals will fund projects that increase public awareness, and share best practices or lessons learned that support and enhance Canada’s progress on the 2030 Agenda, particularly within equity-deserving groups and groups or individuals in vulnerable situations. Up to $200,000 for a project that is up to 24 months (maximum $100,000 per fiscal year). The Contributions stream of this Call for Proposals will fund projects that aim to localize SDGs in communities. Funded projects will adapt, employ, and monitor the progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the local level and will measure and report on the SDGs. Up to $900,000 for a project that is up to 36 months (maximum $300,000 per fiscal year)
Example: By the Governors of Saint-Francis Xavier University: This project addresses the barriers to affordable housing in Nova Scotia. It leads a grassroots community consultation using the SDGs as a blueprint to frame the discussions. It addresses the factors that influence the housing needs of people living in low-income and marginalized populations.
Deadline: Closed January 22, 2024.
Environmental Damages Fund
Department - Organization: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Description: Supports projects that benefit the natural environment, achieve restoration of damage to the natural environment and wildlife conservation, cost-effectively. Priority is given to projects that restore the natural environment and conserve wildlife, followed by environmental quality improvement initiatives, research and development on environmental restoration and improvement, and education and awareness on issues affecting the health of the natural environment.
Example(s): Install reef balls in the Halifax Harbour to create and restore marine habitat. These reef balls will complete a network of over 7.5 hectares of reef structures in Halifax Harbour.
Deadline: Currently not available in Nova Scotia.
Contact: fdeqa-edfaq@ec.gc.ca
Website: Environmental Damages Fund
Marine Debris Clean-Up Program
Department - Organization: Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Description: The program provides funding to help remove debris from Nova Scotia's marine and freshwater shorelines. The program has 3 funding streams: Shoreline Clean-up – supports clean-up efforts of marine and freshwater coastlines. Marine Debris and Litter Prevention – supports methods of reducing litter from reaching our water systems. Marine Debris and Litter Recycling – supports waste diversion solutions that encourage recycling over sending debris to landfills.
Deadline: Closed February 1st, 2024
Contact: MarineCleanUp@novascotia.ca
Low Carbon Economy Fund - Low Carbon Economy Challenge
Department - Organization: Environment and Natural Resources Canada
Description: The Low Carbon Economy Challenge is part of the Low Carbon Economy Fund. Projects must result in greenhouse gas emissions reductions in 2030 and must align with Canada’s goals for net-zero emissions by 2050. Projects for municipalities could include waste diversion, and biomass retrofits (wastewater). Applicants can request between $1 million and $25 million in funding for eligible project expenditures, with cost-sharing of 50% of total project costs for municipalities. Self-Screening Tool for understanding project eligibility and competitiveness. To access the tool, please send an email to lcef-fefec@ec.gc.ca.
Deadline: Closed February 8th, 2024.
Contact: lcef-fefec@ec.gc.ca
EV Boost
Department - Organization: Clean Foundation
Description: Access to electric vehicle charging in Nova Scotia is increasing! EV Boost is helping to bring more Level-2 EV chargers to eligible organizations in the province. Through funding provided by Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP), Clean Foundation will help to support the deployment and installation of up to 250 EV chargers.
Deadline: Closed
Website: EV Boost
Green Choice Program
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Natural Resources and Renewables
Description: Large energy buyers, including municipalities, can purchase up to 100% of their electricity from local renewable energy sources through the Green Choice Program.
Deadline: Closed March 4, 2024.
Contact: https://novascotiagcp.com/contact-us
Website: Green Choice Program
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The fund will provide up to $1.5 billion in federal funding over 7 years for clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada. Designed to: Unlock new critical mineral resources, support improved environmental performance at mine sites, facilitate market access for critical minerals, and strengthen supply chains (i.e., by connecting resources to midstream processing and refining, and downstream manufacturing). Two streams: Preconstruction and project development activities (stream 1) and infrastructure deployment activities (stream 2).
Deadline: Closed February 29th, 2024.
Contact: cmif-fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
EcoAction Community Funding Program
Department - Organization: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Description: Municipalities are ineligible, but are encouraged to partner with non-profit and non-governmental groups and organizations to support a project proposal. Funding is available for new projects that engage Canadian communities and demonstrate measurable, positive results related to fresh water. Projects should contribute to improving freshwater quality through actions that reduce harmful substances in fresh water and/or restore and protect freshwater ecosystem health. The maximum EcoAction funding is $100,000 per project; the minimum funding amount requested is $25,000 per project. A minimum of 50% of the total project value must come from sources other than the Government of Canada.
Deadline: Closed March 22, 2024.
Contact: EcoAction.Quebec.Atlantic@ec.gc.ca
Website: EcoAction Community Funding Program
Innoweave
Department - Organization: Innoweave/ McConnell Family Foundation
Description: Innoweave helps organizations implement social innovation with personalized coaching. Innoweave teaches the organization to implement these changes itself, taking a coaching method rather than a consultation approach. They offer funding three times a year through a competitive process, funding 2/3 of organizations (up to $10,000). With a large network of experienced coaches, they guide areas like policy engagement, scaling impact, developmental evaluation, and impact measurement. To better understand the program, please watch the “Introduction to Innoweave” video.
Deadline: closed April 26th, 2024.
Contact: info@innoweave.ca
Pan-Atlantic Net-zero Community Accelerator Program
Department - Organization: Quest Canada
Description: A three-year program with an initial target Pan-Atlantic cohort of 15 municipalities, eligible applicants include local governments or organizations applying on behalf of a local government or a group of local governments. Get tailored services to help you develop and/or implement a community energy plan or initiative. Help reduce your GHG emissions. For every % of reduction in community energy use, more dollars are kept in your local economy. The majority of the program is funded by ACOA & private companies. The cost to participate is based on the population of the municipality (approximately $2000-$6000). Includes:
- Community Energy Benchmark Assessment: identify strengths and areas for improvement
- Energy Mapping Exercise: identify opportunities for energy and emissions reduction
- Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) Development Workshop: take a deep dive into areas of opportunity
- CEEP Implementation Workshop
- Monthly Meetings and Webinars
- Success Stories: during and after, they share your successes far and wide
- Economic Impact Assessment
Deadline: closed April 29, 5:00 pm Atlantic Daylight Time.
Contact: eoldfield@questcanada.org
Farm Credit Canada AgriSpirit Fund
Department - Organization: Farm Credit Canada
Description: The FCC AgriSpirit Fund supports rural communities under 150,000 people across Canada with funding for capital projects that enrich the lives of community residents. $1.5 million distributed annually.
Example(s): Equipment for the fire department. Refrigeration and equipment to support food waste reduction and recovery. Construction of or upgrades to community buildings. Renovations or upgrades that reduce a building’s energy footprint. Initiatives that support agriculture and food.
Deadline: Closed on May 15th, 2024.
Contact: agrispirit-agriesprit@fcc-fac.ca
Website: Farm Credit Canada AgriSpirit Fund
Provincial Capital Assistance Program (PCAP)
Department - Organization: Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Description: A fund for municipal projects designed to eliminate serious environmental and health problems. The program supports investment in high-priority municipal infrastructure projects. There is an emphasis on using the funding for study or design work needed to prepare for larger funding opportunities. You need to use the funding for municipally owned infrastructure projects like water supply, sewage disposal, and solid waste management. Projects that reduce or eliminate actual and potential environmental and health problems in the municipality are given priority. Priority is also given to projects that include collaborating with multiple municipalities or have beneficial impacts on larger populations
Example Project: Stormwater management study, landfill decommission project
Deadline: Closed June 13, 2024.
Contact: pcap@novascotia.ca
Flood Risk Infrastructure Investment Program
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Description: FRIIP invests in infrastructure and studies which reduce flood risks and community vulnerability. The program will fund up to 50% of eligible project costs. Eligible project types include river training and floodway improvements; floodwater containment and flood intensity mitigation; study work including mapping to identify flood prone areas; and identification of potential solutions to mitigate flood impacts.
Deadline: Closed June 13, 2024.
Contact: friip@novascotia.ca
Low Carbon Communities
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Natural Resources and Renewables
Description: Projects should support low carbon solutions in one of the four following categories. The program covers 75% of total project eligible costs.
- clean buildings (up to $75k)
- clean electricity (up to $75k)
- clean transportation (up to $75k)
- clean energy education (up to $50k)
Example(s): Net-Zero Design for New Affordable Housing in Musquodoboit. Electric fleet and charging infrastructure planning in Kings County.
Deadline: Closed to July 5th, 2024.
Contact: lowcarboncommunities@novascotia.ca
Website: Low Carbon Communities
Energy Innovation Program- Renewable Energy Demonstrations Call
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The program invites project proposals that utilize solar, wind, geothermal, or marine energy. Eligible projects should start at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 6 or higher and have a capacity of at least 100 kW electrical or 300 kW thermal. Funding requests can range from $500,000 to $4,000,000 over a period of up to five years.
Deadline: EOI closed July 2nd, 2024.
Website: Energy Innovation Program
Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The fund Provides financial assistance to existing industrial facilities (municipal utilities and wastewater treatment facilities) seeking to implement energy efficiency and energy management solutions within their facilities
Eligible activities:
- Invest in energy management training;
- Conduct energy assessments and audits;
- Hire or retain energy managers;
- Implement energy management systems; and
- Invest in energy efficiency-focused capital retrofits in existing facilities.
The program provides cost-shared financial assistance of up to 50% of total eligible expenditures to a maximum of $10 million per proposal; the minimum contribution is $40,000 per proposal. For Indigenous recipients or registered not-for-profit organizations, the Program may provide cost-shared financial assistance of up to 100% of eligible implementation expenditures to a maximum of $10 million per proposal.
There is no limit to the number of facilities that can be part of the same project proposal.
Example(s): Eligible NAICS codes for the fund are: 11, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 33, and 56. Both municipally owned utilities and wastewater treatment facilities fall under NAICS code 22 and would therefore be eligible for funding.
Deadline: Closed August 30th, 2024.
Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: To install EV charging systems in public places, on-street, at workplaces and multi-unit residential buildings, as well as infrastructure for ZEV fleets
Example(s): Killam Properties – Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta – 438 electric vehicle chargers under construction ($731, 783).
Deadline: CLosed September 19th, 2024.
Contact: zev-infra-vez@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Green Construction through Wood
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The program encourages the use of innovative wood-based building technologies in construction projects. GCWood invests in wood construction projects that generate many benefits, including:
- reduced GHG emissions from renewable and sustainable resources that help decarbonize the built environment
- accelerated adoption of innovative building technologies and systems
- updated building codes that allow for taller and larger wood buildings
- affordable housing and community infrastructure
The foresty sector in your community could benefit from additional funding that municipalities are ineligible for, such as Nova Scotia Foresty Innovation Transition Trust or federal funding programs.
Deadline: Closed due to high volume of submissions.
Contact: gcwood-cvbois@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Website: Green Construction through Wood
Information Session: You can find the webinar recording here.
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: Municipalities are eligible. The program will help improve the environmental performance of the forest sector by supporting demonstration and adoption projects that contribute to the decarbonization of industrial processes, as well as the efficient use of resources that generate more value from the same amount of wood. In addition to continuing to fund projects that produce renewable energy and sustainable bioproducts, IFIT will seek to invest in projects that integrate technologies leading to greater energy efficiency and explore bioenergy carbon capture in forest sector operations. Capital Investment projects stream: Up to $10M in funding. The studies stream provides up to $1M in funding.
The foresty sector in your community could benefit from additional funding that municipalities are ineligible for, such as Nova Scotia Foresty Innovation Transition Trust or federal funding programs.
Deadline: Closed due to high volume of submissions.
Contact: ifit-itif@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Information Session: You can find the webinar recording here.
Clean Fuels Fund (Provincial)
Department - Organization: NS Department of Natural Resources and Renewables
Description: The Clean Fuels Fund can provide municipalities funding to replace traditional fossil fuels with cleaner fuels for heating, transportation and industrial processes. Including; biofuels, clean wood energy from forestry waste products, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas. Eligible projects include studies supporting the adoption of clean fuels, existing facilities and operations ready for implementation of clean fuel use, and new infrastructure to facilitate clean fuel adoption. Projects with a total value up to and including $500,000 (excluding taxes) are eligible for funding up to 75% of the project cost. Projects over $500,000 are eligible for up to 50% of project costs.
Deadline: October 8th, 2024
Contact: CFF@novascotia.ca
Website: Clean Fuels Fund
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
Department - Organization: Infrastructure Canada
Description: The program supports retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing publicly-accessible community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings for underserved and high-needs communities across Canada. Small and medium retrofits: ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999. Large retrofits and new builds: total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million.
Deadline:
Large retrofits and new builds, closed October 16, 2024.
Small and medium retrofits, closed October 16, 2024.
Contact: gicbp-pbcvi@infc.gc.ca
Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk
Department - Organization: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Description: The overall program objectives of HSP are to: Support habitat projects that benefit species at risk and prevent others from becoming a conservation concern. Enable Canadians to become actively and concretely involved in stewardship projects for target species that will result in tangible and measurable conservation benefits. Improve the scientific, sociological and economic understanding of the role that stewardship has as a conservation tool.
Example: Priorities for the Atlantic region: Monarch, Yellow-banded Bumble Bee. Actions to address threats and reduce the impact of human activities and disturbance on a landscape scale, including through habitat management, enhancement, or restoration and the implementation of pollinator-friendly management practices.
Deadline: Closed October 30th, 2024. 3:00 PM AST.
Contact: SCF-Atl.PIH-CWS-Atl.HSP@ec.gc.ca (Atlantic Region, email for EOI and more info)
Atlantic Salmon Conservation
Department - Organization: The Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon
Description: Municipalities are eligible to apply for funding to support wild Atlantic salmon conservation initiatives. The fund supports projects that protect wild Atlantic salmon, as well as preserve the important river cultures and economies of communities across Atlantic Canada and Quebec. With $1.5 million dollars available for distribution this year, they look forward to seeing applications from municipalities to aid in the conservation of this essential species. They invite you to take advantage of this funding opportunity to help ensure wild Atlantic salmon remains a staple in Canadian identity, culture and economy for generations to come.
Deadline: Closed November 15th, 2024.
Contact: Charline McCoy at 506-455-9900 or charline@salmonconservation.ca
Website: Atlantic Salmon Conservation
Infectious Disease and Climate Change Fund
Department - Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada
Description: The fund is looking to address the impact of climate change on human health. There are two streams. Funds will be disbursed through a combination of single-year or multi-year funding agreements. Multi-year projects are not to exceed 3 years and a maximum of $300,000 per year of funding.
Stream 1: Building capacity and resiliency of Indigenous Peoples on climate-sensitive infectious diseases and health with projects developed by and with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples (distinctions-based approach)
Stream 2: Mobilizing evidence and raising awareness to take action. This priority focuses on leveraging the current understanding on climate-sensitive infectious diseases to raise awareness and address the knowledge to action gap at the local, regional and national levels and among key populations (for example, population groups facing disproportionate risk due to existing inequities).
Deadline: Closed November 28, 2024 at 3:00 pm EST.
Contact: idccp_pmicc@phac-aspc.gc.ca
If you can't find a grant that suits your municipality's needs, please reach out. Similarly, if your municipality is applying to any of the listed opportunities, I am readily available to provide assistance throughout the application process.
Lucy MacLeod,
Fund Navigator
lmacleod@nsfm.ca
