Funding Guide
Federal Programs
Green Municipal Fund – New Construction of Sustainable Affordable Housing
Financing for new affordable housing projects that covers 20% of eligible project costs through a combination of 50% grant and 50% loan. Municipal governments, municipal corporations and non-profits are eligible to apply. Other funding opportunities through the Green Municipal Fund can be found here and the funding guide for all Sustainable Affordable Housing programs can be found here.
Green Municipal Fund – Pilot Project: Retrofit or new construction of sustainable affordable housing
A pilot project to support the integration of deep energy efficiency and onsite renewable energy generation into existing or new affordable housing. Grants of up to $500,000 to cover up to 80% of eligible costs. Municipal governments, municipal corporations and non-profits are eligible to apply. Other funding opportunities through the Green Municipal Fund can be found here and the funding guide for all Sustainable Affordable Housing programs can be found here.
Low Carbon Economy Fund – Low Carbon Economy Challenge
Deploy proven, low-carbon technologies resulting in material GHG emissions reductions across sectors. Applicants can request from $1 million -$25 million, with different cost-share thresholds depending on applicant type. Eligible applicants include municipal and provincial bodies, Indigenous organizations, non-profits, for-profit businesses and academic institutions.
Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI) – Indigenous-led awareness and education projects for cleaner transportation and clean fuels.
Indigenous-led projects looking at either zero-emission vehicle awareness OR clean fuels awareness. The applicant can be an Indigenous community or governing body, or a for- or not-for-profit business or organization that demonstrates ownership and controlling assets by Indigenous groups.
Environmental Damages Fund
This fund takes fines from environmental damages and uses them to fund environmental projects. Projects must fall within one of the following categories: restoration, environmental quality and improvement, research and development, and education and awareness. Eligible applicants include non-governmental organization, academic institution, Indigenous organizations, and provincial, territorial, and municipal governments. To be notified when funds are available in Atlantic Canada, email fdeqa-edfaq@ec.gc.ca to be included on the EDF distribution list.
Nova Scotia Provincial Programs
Community Solar Program
The Community Solar Program helps community groups and organizations set up solar gardens on their properties and sell subscriptions to the electricity they produce from the solar gardens. You can subscribe to a community solar garden if you’re:
a current Nova Scotia Power customer (in good standing with Nova Scotia Power)
not participating in any other solar programs with Nova Scotia Power (like net-metering)
not already a subscriber in another community solar garden (you can only subscribe to 1 community solar garden)
Learn more at the link below.
Low Carbon Communities (LCC) Fund
The Low Carbon Communities Fund supports community-led, innovative solutions to create long-lasting greenhouse gas reductions. The program provides funding for projects that support low-carbon solutions in buildings, electricity, transportation and education. The program can support up to 75% of total eligible project costs, with a maximum of $75,000 for buildings, electricity, and transportation, and $50,000 for education. The fund is open to municipalities, First Nations bands or organizations, post-secondary institutions, businesses and non-profit organizations can apply. Projects must demonstrate a benefit to communities in Nova Scotia.
Connect 2
Funding for active transportation projects that improve connectivity within and between communities, and have the potential to reduce emissions. Projects can include active transportation infrastructure and design, shared mobility and bicycle fleets, and capacity building and community engagement. Applicants can receive up to 75% funding to a maximum of $50,000-$100,000 depending on project category. Municipalities, Mi’kmaw Bands, non-profits, private sector and academic institutions are eligible.
Community Economic Development Fund
Funding for projects that increase economic competitiveness and productivity. Projects can include initiatives for sector development, economic diversification, workforce competitiveness, applied research and development and pilot projects. Eligible applicants include non-profits, industry associations, sector organizations, social enterprises, municipalities, academic institutions, and other organizations that benefit the public. For-profit enterprises are not eligible.
Net-Zero Emerging Concepts and Technology (ECT) Research Program
This funding is an open call program that will be ongoing from 2023-2025, and seeks to identify gaps in carbon-reduction pathways for hard-to-abate emissions and to support made-in Nova Scotia solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Priority research themes include decarbonization of fishing vessels and ferry fleets, nature-based solutions, direct air capture, agricultural emissions, electricity system challenges post 2030 and long term energy storage.
Sustainable Communicies Challenge Fund (SCCF)
The Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund is a provincial grant program for local action on climate change in Nova Scotia. It supports community efforts to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, or to prepare for and respond to the impacts of a changing climate. The Fund will provide non-repayable grants up to 80% of the eligible project costs, and a maximum of $1,000,000 per project. This challenge is open to municipalities, First Nations, registered non-profits, and post-secondary institutions.
Other Funding Programs
Indigenous Clean Energy Network Charge Up Program
This funding is for electric vehicle charger installation and is open to all Indigenous communities or organizations, and will cover 75% of project costs. For a level 2 charger the maximum is $7,500 per connector, and for a level 3 charger, the range is between $22,500-99,999.
United Church Faithful Footprints Grants
United Church congregations, camps, or outreach ministries can apply for up to $20,000 to carry out energy efficiency actions, with an additional $10,000 if decarbonizing. To apply and qualify, the applicant must complete an energy audit, submit two years’ of energy data, and cover 50% of the requested amount.
EJ4Climate Grant Program
Established by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, this program funds projects that target underserved and vulnerable communities, and Indigenous communities, in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, to prepare them for climate-related impacts. Funding of up to $200,000 is available for community-based organizations and seeks to support environmental justice by facilitating the involvement and empowerment of communities searching for solutions and the development of partnerships to address their environmental and human health vulnerabilities.
