)
Accelerating community energy systems
Canada
Support for advancing low-carbon community energy systems
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
- Green Municipal Fund
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The grant offers up to $200,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, and aims to accelerate community energy systems (CES) through studies identifying low-carbon energy opportunities and implementation mechanisms. Eligible activities include geospatial analysis, modeling energy demand, stakeholder engagement strategy development, and drafting municipal land-use policies that enable CES.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides funding to support local community energy system initiatives with a primary focus on co-financing. The modalities are structured to accommodate various project scales and community sizes.
- Grant covers up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum award of $200,000.
- Projects in municipalities or regional governments with populations under 10,000 may qualify for a grant covering up to 80% of eligible costs.
- Northern and eligible Indigenous communities applying for the first time can receive up to 100% coverage of eligible costs.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports projects that focus on assessing and developing community energy systems to promote low-carbon energy solutions. Eligible activities aim to identify opportunities and mechanisms for implementing sustainable energy systems within municipalities.
- Identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing opportunities for low-carbon community energy systems, including renewable and district energy systems.
- Conducting a geospatial analysis to determine optimal neighbourhoods for successful community energy system implementation.
- Modeling baseline energy demand for priority areas and projecting energy consumption and seasonal load profiles.
- Articulating concrete next steps for developing new community energy systems and increasing connections to existing systems.
- Developing a stakeholder engagement strategy to build support for community energy systems.
- Identifying and prioritizing mechanisms for accelerating community energy development, such as property tax rebates or fast-tracked approval processes.
- Advancing implementation mechanisms by clarifying legal, technical, and regulatory requirements.
- Developing municipal land-use policies to support community energy system zones.
- Conducting market research to gauge stakeholder awareness and support for district energy systems.
- Carrying out an equity assessment to analyze the impact on equity-deserving groups, addressing barriers and enhancing positive impacts.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant requires compliance with specific criteria related to the applicant’s organizational structure and partnerships.
- The applicant must be a Canadian municipal government such as towns, cities, regions, districts, and local boards.
- Municipally owned corporations, for example, a municipal utility, are eligible.
- An Indigenous community can be a lead applicant if they partner with a Canadian municipal government on an eligible project or hold a shared service agreement related to municipal infrastructure, climate change, or adaptation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Canadian municipal governments, municipally-owned corporations, and Indigenous communities collaborating with municipal governments are eligible to apply for these grants.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports projects that aim to identify and develop opportunities for low-carbon community energy systems. Eligible activities include comprehensive studies and strategic planning to create frameworks for implementing sustainable energy solutions within communities.
- Identification, evaluation, and prioritization of opportunity areas for community energy systems using geospatial analyses.
- Modeling anticipated baseline energy demand and seasonal load profiles for prioritized areas.
- Articulating next steps and completing feasibility studies for community energy systems.
- Developing robust stakeholder engagement strategies to foster partnerships and support.
- Assessing and prioritizing implementation mechanisms to accelerate community energy development.
- Advancing implementation mechanisms through legal, financial, and technical evaluations.
- Development of municipal land-use policies supportive of community energy systems.
- Conducting market research to gauge support for district energy systems from stakeholders.
- Conducting equity assessments to ensure fair distribution of project benefits and burdens.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is open to Canadian municipal governments and municipally owned corporations across Canada. Eligible Indigenous and northern communities can also apply, especially those partnering with municipalities.
- Canadian municipal governments, including towns, cities, regions, districts, and local boards.
- Municipally owned corporations within Canada, such as municipal utilities.
- Indigenous communities partnering with Canadian municipal governments.
- Northern communities as defined by the three territories and northern regions of seven provinces in Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador, Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia).
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.
- Potential to lead to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.
- Strong support from political leaders, senior municipal staff, the local community, and implementation partners such as utilities, developers, or landowners.
- Support from official plans, secondary plans, community energy plans, or climate action plans.
- Leadership by a multidisciplinary team representing key departments.
- Collaboration with key implementation partners and equity-deserving groups or Indigenous communities.
- Strong integration of multi-solving approaches, such as maximizing environmental and socio-economic benefits.
- Advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, and Reconciliation objectives.
- Increased climate resilience.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Access the Application Guide
- Download and review the application guide to understand requirements and process details.
- Step 2: Initial Contact with GMF
- Reach out to a GMF representative to discuss your project by contacting them at gmfinfo@fcm.ca or calling 1-877-417-0550.
- Step 3: Prepare Required Documents
- Review the list of prerequisites and supporting documents in appendix D of the application guide.
- Ensure you have a detailed project budget and are securing other funding sources for your project.
- Step 4: Create FCM Funding Portal Profile
- Visit the FCM funding portal to create your profile, and request a PIN to access the system.
- If you already have a profile, skip to the next step.
- Step 5: Pre-application Submission
- Complete the pre-application form available on the FCM funding portal.
- Step 6: Eligibility Determination
- A GMF outreach officer will review your pre-application to determine eligibility.
- You will receive a response within 21 business days about your eligibility to proceed.
- Step 7: Full Application Submission
- If eligible, access and complete the full application form through the FCM funding portal.
- Submit the completed application form, Excel project workbook, and required supporting documents.
- Step 8: Application Review by GMF Project Officer
- A GMF project officer will be assigned to review your application for completeness and accuracy.
- Work with the officer to resolve any remaining questions.
- Step 9: Peer Review and Internal Review
- An external peer review panel and internal analysis will evaluate your application.
- Recommendations will be made to GMF’s managing director and FCM’s Board of Directors.
- Step 10: FCM Funding Decision
- Funding decisions for plans, pilots, and studies are determined by GMF’s managing director within three to five months.
- For capital projects, FCM ’s Board of Directors makes the decision within four to six months.
- Step 11: Specific Process for Quebec Municipalities
- Completed applications must be submitted to Quebec's MAMH before FCM processing.
- Submit applications via the Portail gouvernemental des affaires municipales et régionales after MAMH assessment.
grant_single_labels|contact
gmfinfo@fcm.ca
1-877-417-0550
