How much funding can be received?

Get up to $50,000 in support for Community Energy Plans (CEPs), feasibility studies, community training, or business/negotiation planning to develop clean energy initiatives and opportunities within First Nations communities.

grant_single_labels|projects

Yes, there are eligible projects and activities for the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, grouped into Capacity Funding and Equity Funding categories.

Eligible projects and activities include:

Clean energy project feasibility studies
Community energy planning
Engagement with project proponents
Financial analysis of potential projects for equity positions
Reviewing development potential within traditional territories
Business plan development
Permitting processes
Financing
Interconnection agreements
Major equipment orders
Construction commencement
Project commissioning
Final design

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$50,000

Community Energy Plan for renewable energy transition

$50,000

Financial analysis for hydroelectric potential's First Nations territories

$50,000

Community training for clean energy initiatives

$50,000

Business plan for a wind energy farm

$50,000

Permitting and project commissioning for a biomass energy plant

$50,000

Feasibility study for solar panel installation community centers

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The eligibility criteria for the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund restrict applicants to Indigenous communities in British Columbia. Additionally, the proposed project must be located in British Columbia.

A First Nation "band" as defined by the Indian Act (Canada);
An Indigenous governing body, however organized and established by Indigenous peoples.
The proposed project must be located in British Columbia.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible companies for the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund grant include:

First Nation "bands" as defined by the Indian Act (Canada)
Indigenous governing bodies established by Indigenous peoples

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund eligibility for expenses is delineated under Capacity Funding and Equity Funding categories, covering a range of project-related activities and analyses.

Feasibility studies
Community energy planning
Engagement with project proponents
Financial analysis of potential projects
Business plans
Permitting
Financing
Interconnection agreements
Major equipment orders
Construction commencement
Project commissioning
Final project design

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zones for this grant are restricted to Indigenous communities in British Columbia.

A First Nation "band" as defined by the Indian Act (Canada)
An Indigenous governing body, however organized and established by Indigenous peoples
The proposed project must be located in British Columbia

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
Confirm that your community is an Indigenous community in British Columbia.
Verify that the proposed project is located in British Columbia.
Step 2: Choose Funding Category
Decide whether to apply for Capacity Funding or Equity Funding based on your project needs.
Review qualifications and requirements for your chosen funding category.
Step 3: Complete Application Worksheet
Download and fill out the application worksheet for the chosen funding category.
For Capacity Funding, use the "FNCEBF Clean Energy Capacity Funding Application - Proposed Projects" form.
For Equity Funding, use the "FNCEBF Clean Energy Equity Funding Application" form.
Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documents
For Capacity Funding, consider including a Community Energy Planning (CEP) document.
For Equity Funding, ensure supporting materials like business plans, permits, or financing agreements are included.
Step 5: Submit Application
Ensure all parts of the application are complete and correct.
Email your application to FNCEBF.MIRR@gov.bc.ca by the deadline (April 30, 2024).
Step 6: Await Feedback
Wait for confirmation and feedback from the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
Respond to any requests for additional information or adjustments.
Step 7: Revenue Sharing (if applicable)
If eligible for revenue sharing, the Ministry will contact your community to discuss a revenue sharing agreement.
Negotiate and finalize the terms of the revenue sharing agreement.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF) provides specific resources and guidelines to support Indigenous communities in British Columbia in participating in clean energy projects, offering funding for both capacity building and equity investments, as well as revenue sharing agreements.

The next intake for FNCEBF applications will be in April 2024, with a deadline of April 30, 2024.
The fund's capacity building limit of $50,000 has been reset, allowing communities that have already used this amount to reapply.
Capacity funding supports feasibility studies, community energy planning, and engagement with project proponents.
Equity funding supports financially viable clean energy projects and includes tasks such as business planning, permitting, and construction commencement.
Revenue sharing agreements are based on provincial resource rents from land and water rentals related to clean energy projects.
Revenue sharing is structured so that 50% of new incremental rentals go into the FNCEBF, with 75% of those funds shared directly with impacted First Nations.
The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation will contact eligible First Nations for revenue sharing discussions when applicable projects are identified.

grant_single_labels|documents

First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund — Capacity Funding

grant_single_labels|contact

FNCEBF.MIRR@gov.bc.ca

Apply to this program

Summary of the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF) supports increased Indigenous participation in the clean energy sector by providing Capacity funding, Equity funding, and revenue sharing agreements for projects within traditional territories and treaty areas of British Columbia. Administered by the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, the fund aims to empower Indigenous communities to engage and benefit from the evolving clean energy landscape.

Understanding the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund in Detail

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF) is a transformative initiative designed to foster Indigenous community participation in the clean energy sector across their traditional territories and treaty areas within British Columbia. Established under the Clean Energy Act, the FNCEBF is administered by the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, leveraging the expertise of various provincial government departments to evaluate applications thoroughly.

Objective of FNCEBF

The primary objective of the FNCEBF is to increase the involvement of Indigenous communities in clean energy projects, thus promoting economic development, environmental sustainability, and energy independence. The fund offers financial support through three main avenues: Capacity funding, Equity funding, and revenue sharing agreements. These funding streams are tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous communities at various stages of clean energy project development, from feasibility studies and community energy planning to direct financial investments in clean energy ventures.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the FNCEBF, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants include:

First Nation “bands” as defined by the Indian Act (Canada)
Indigenous governing bodies, however organized and established by Indigenous peoples

Additionally, the proposed project must be situated within British Columbia. This territorial requirement ensures that the benefits derived from the FNCEBF are localized, directly supporting the Indigenous communities within the province.

Funding Categories

The FNCEBF offers support through two primary funding categories: Capacity funding and Equity funding. Each category addresses different aspects of clean energy project development and implementation.

Capacity Funding

Capacity funding is designed to assist Indigenous communities at the initial stages of clean energy project development. This funding can be utilized for:

Conducting clean energy project feasibility studies
Community energy planning
Engaging with project proponents

The goal of capacity funding is to enable communities to analyze potential projects, undertake financial analyses, and review development opportunities within their territories. The financial support provided through capacity funding is capped at a maximum of $50,000 per eligible applicant. However, communities proposing multiple projects within their traditional territory may be considered for increased support.

Equity Funding

Equity funding is aimed at supporting financially viable clean energy projects that have reached a more advanced stage of development. To qualify for equity funding, projects must already have an Energy Purchase Agreement in place. This funding can be allocated for various key project tasks, including but not limited to:

Developing business plans
Obtaining permits
Securing financing
Signing interconnection agreements
Ordering major equipment
Commencing construction
Beginning commissioning
Final project design

The maximum total grant available under the Equity funding category is $500,000 per applicant, regardless of the number of potential projects within their traditional territory. This substantial financial support aims to ensure that Indigenous communities can actively participate in the clean energy sector by supporting the critical stages of project implementation.

Revenue Sharing Agreements

A unique aspect of the FNCEBF is its revenue sharing agreements. These agreements enable Indigenous communities to share in the financial benefits derived from clean energy projects that impact their territories. The revenue sharing structure is based on provincial resource rents, specifically land and water rentals from clean energy projects authorized after the enactment of the Clean Energy Act.

The revenue sharing model operates as follows:

50% of new incremental water and land rentals from any one project are deposited into the FNCEBF.
Of the deposited funds, 75% are directly shared with the First Nations whose territory is impacted by the project, amounting to 37.5% of the total rentals.
The remaining 12.5% remains in the FNCEBF to further support capacity and equity grants.

These revenue sharing agreements ensure that the financial returns from clean energy projects are equitably distributed, providing an ongoing income stream for Indigenous communities involved in the clean energy sector.

Application Process

Applying for the FNCEBF requires careful preparation and adherence to specific guidelines. Applicants must complete the appropriate application worksheets for each funding category:

FNCEBF Clean Energy Capacity Funding Application - Proposed Projects (XLSX, 126KB) - Updated March 2023
FNCEBF Clean Energy Equity Funding Application (XLSX, 103KB) - Updated March 2023

Supporting documents, such as the Community Energy Planning (CEP) template, are also required to provide detailed information on the proposed projects. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the qualifications and requirements for each category before submitting their applications.

The application intake for the FNCEBF is on a rolling basis, with specific deadlines announced periodically. The next intake is scheduled for April 2024, with a submission deadline of April 30, 2024. Applicants are advised to reach out to FNCEBF.MIRR@gov.bc.ca for any questions or concerns regarding the application process.

Recent Updates and Re-set of Capacity Funding Limit

The clean energy landscape in British Columbia has evolved significantly since the inception of the FNCEBF. Recognizing the changing dynamics and the need for continued support, the fund has re-set the $50,000 capacity funding limit for communities that have already reached the maximum limit with previous capacity projects. This re-set allows these communities to re-apply for capacity funding, ensuring they can continue to engage in current and future clean energy initiatives.

Conclusion

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund is a crucial tool for empowering Indigenous communities in British Columbia to actively participate and benefit from the growing clean energy sector. By offering targeted financial support through capacity and equity funding, as well as revenue sharing agreements, the FNCEBF helps ensure that Indigenous communities can play a leading role in the transition to a sustainable and energy-independent future. For more information or to apply, interested parties should consult the updated guidelines and reach out to the FNCEBF administration with any queries.