How much funding can be received?

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program offers up to $25 million in contribution funding per project to enhance the availability, energy efficiency, and climate resilience of community buildings in underserved and high-needs areas across Canada. Eligible activities under this program include retrofits, repairs, upgrades of existing buildings, and new construction of publicly-accessible community-oriented facilities.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports projects aimed at improving the condition and availability of community buildings in underserved areas, enhancing energy efficiency, and contributing to Canada's climate goals. Eligible activities include retrofits to existing buildings and construction of new facilities that serve community needs.

Retrofits, repairs, and upgrades to existing publicly-accessible community buildings to improve environmental outcomes.
Construction of new community buildings that are open, accessible, and provide non-commercial services to high-needs communities.
Implementation of green retrofit measures to achieve at least 25% improvement in energy efficiency over the building's baseline.
Retrofitting projects including renewable energy installations such as solar panels and geothermal systems.
Adding climate resilience features to buildings to mitigate against climate change impacts.
Incorporating accessibility and safety upgrades within retrofit projects to meet high accessibility standards.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed project authority.

Eligible applicants include municipal or regional governments established by or under provincial or territorial statute.
Provincial or territorial governments are eligible to apply.
Public sector bodies established by or under provincial or territorial statute or by regulation, or wholly owned by a province, territory, municipal or regional government, are eligible, including municipally-owned corporations and provincial or territorial organizations that deliver municipal services.
Federally or provincially incorporated not-for-profit organizations and registered charities are eligible applicants.
Indigenous recipients, including band councils, and First Nation, Inuit, or Métis governments or authorities established by self-government or land claim agreements, can apply.
Federally or provincially incorporated not-for-profit organizations serving Indigenous peoples and not-for-profit Indigenous development corporations are eligible.
Ineligible applicants include commercial and for-profit organizations, individuals, and private citizens, as well as federal entities including federal Crown corporations.
Applicants must demonstrate authority to undertake the project on the building/asset or land.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Funding under the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program is provided to a variety of eligible applicants aiming to improve community infrastructures in underserved areas. Prospective applicants must fall into one of the following categories:- Municipal or regional governments established by provincial or territorial statute.- Provincial or territorial governments.- Public sector bodies such as municipally-owned corporations, entities providing municipal services, or other forms of local governance outside typical municipal descriptions.- Federally or provincially incorporated not-for-profit organizations and registered charities.- Indigenous governing bodies, which include bands as per the Indian Act, self-government agreements, and development corporations serving Indigenous people.Additionally, applicants must have the authority to undertake projects on the concerned building or land. Ineligible groups include for-profit entities, individuals, and federal entities, including crown corporations.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program specifies certain entities that are not eligible to apply for the grant. The aim is to direct funds towards deserving community-oriented projects.

Commercial and for-profit organizations.
Individuals and private citizens.
Federal entities, including federal Crown corporations.
Projects to be undertaken in federally-owned buildings.
Buildings primarily engaged in for-profit or commercial activities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include costs directly necessary for the successful implementation of eligible projects.

Costs incurred between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2029.
Costs to build, renovate, expand or improve fixed capital assets and community buildings.
Professional fees for technical personnel, consultants, and contractors specifically engaged for the project.
Environmental assessment, monitoring, and follow-up activity costs as required by relevant legislation.
Costs for public announcements, official ceremonies, and required signage.
Costs for Indigenous consultation and engagement activities.
Other costs considered direct and necessary for successful project implementation and approved in advance.
Salaries, wages, and other incremental costs if economically infeasible to contract and approved in advance.
Legal fees (excluding litigation) for Indigenous and not-for-profit recipients as specified in contribution agreements.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

Eligible applicants for this grant program are based within Canada, including all provinces and territories. This ensures that community buildings across all regions can benefit from improved energy efficiency and accessibility upgrades.

Eligible applicants must be based in Canada.
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply from all regions across the country.
Applicants from remote and Northern communities are also considered under specific conditions.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The selection of projects under the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program (GICB) is based on a comprehensive evaluation of specific criteria to ensure they meet the program's objectives and deliver maximum community benefits.

Located in and demonstrates the ability to serve one or more communities with high needs: Projects in high need areas receive a higher score.
Increased accessibility: Projects enhancing accessibility and meeting the highest standards for accessibility will receive a higher score.
GHG Reductions: Projects demonstrating greater GHG emission reductions compared to the building’s baseline receive a higher score.
Energy Savings: Projects achieving at least 25% improvements in energy efficiency over the building’s baseline are scored higher.
Climate resiliency and best practices adoption: Projects with strong climate resiliency considerations score higher; detailed justifications must be provided if not applicable.
Confidence in delivery/risk: Projects with a robust risk assessment and practical mitigation measures score higher. This includes detailed budgeting information, community consultation outcomes, and permit readiness.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Check Eligibility
Ensure that your organization and project are eligible under the GICB criteria.
Determine the size of your project to identify the correct application stream (small/medium or large/new builds).
Step 2: Prepare your Application
Gather all necessary project information, including details of the building, retrofit or new construction specifics, and energy profiles.
Use the RETScreen® Expert software if applicable, particularly for retrofits, to calculate energy efficiency and GHG reductions.
Prepare documentation that supports the project’s eligibility, such as proof of authority over the building.
Plan and document the project’s budget and funding requirements, considering federal contribution limits.
Prepare required attestations and endorsements.
Step 3: Submit the Application
Log into the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities’ online application portal.
Fill in all required application sections and upload all necessary documents.
Submit the application before the deadline (October 16, 2024, at 15:00 Eastern Time).
Step 4: Confirmation of Submission
Receive an acknowledgement or confirmation from the application portal.
Track the status of your application through the portal.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Projects must be implemented no earlier than April 1, 2021, and completed no later than March 31, 2029.
Projects in excess of $25,000,000 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Large retrofits and new builds are evaluated on a competitive basis.
A RETScreen® assessment is required for retrofit projects.
Successful applicants must comply with reporting and audit requirements, including potential community employment benefits reporting for projects over $10 million.
Recipients undertaking projects with total eligible project costs of $10,000,000 and above will be required to report on Community Employment Benefits.
Environmental assessments and Indigenous consultations may be required depending on the nature and location of the project.
Procurement contracts exceeding $100,000 require approval for non-competitive processes.
Contribution agreements will specify terms for funding and reporting, which include annual and final reports.
Disposal of funded assets within six years of project completion may require repayment to the federal government.
Expenditures must comply with confidentiality and privacy laws under Canadian legislation.
Public disclosure of project details may occur, including recipient names and funding amounts.

grant_single_labels|contact

gicbp-pbcvi@infc.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Empowering Community Infrastructure Through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of community infrastructure in underserved areas across Canada while supporting the country's broader climate and economic objectives. By providing substantial financial support for the retrofit and construction of community spaces, the program seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost energy efficiency, and create jobs.

Understanding the Impact and Opportunities of the GICB Program

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program is a pivotal initiative by the Government of Canada to modernize community infrastructure in areas of the country that have been historically underserved. With a robust funding pool up to $2 billion extending over multiple years, this program underscores a dual focus: enhancing community spaces and addressing climate change challenges head-on. The program embodies Canada's commitment to building a resilient, environmentally sustainable future as outlined in the country's strengthened climate action plan.

At its core, the GICB Program strives to elevate community services by investing in both the renovation of existing structures and the development of new public facilities. The significance of this investment is multifaceted. First, it directly contributes to local economic stimulation by creating jobs and fostering new economic activities within communities. Second, the program actively integrates climate resilience measures by mandating that retrofitted and newly constructed buildings meet high energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction standards. This aligns with Canada's broader environmental goals set forth in initiatives like the Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy plan.

Importantly, the program focuses on inclusivity within its framework. Special considerations and dedicated funding streams are crafted to ensure that Indigenous communities and regions in Canada's far north also benefit significantly. This tailored approach seeks to bridge disparities in infrastructure quality and accessibility that have been prevalent in these communities, thereby promoting equity and inclusion.

The financial structure of the GICB is designed to cover significant portions of project costs, up to 100% in certain situations, particularly benefiting projects in Indigenous and northern communities. For regular community buildings, the program covers up to 80% of retrofit project costs and up to 60% for new constructions, emphasizing a strong federal commitment to sharing financial burdens associated with necessary improvements.

Eligible projects span a wide spectrum, from small community center upgrades costing $100,000 to ambitious new builds requiring investments up to $25 million. This inclusivity ensures that both grassroots initiatives and large-scale projects can thrive under the program, fostering a diverse range of community enhancements across Canadian provinces and territories.

The application process for the GICB Program is thorough and structured to ensure transparency and merit-based evaluation. Key criteria include a project's potential to serve high-need populations, its adherence to environmental standards, and its overall feasibility and strategic alignment with national priorities. These robust evaluation mechanisms guarantee that funded projects will not only bring immediate benefits but also sustain long-term positive impacts.

In addition to financial support, the program offers guidance in the form of technical resources such as the RETScreen® Expert software for retrofits, helping applicants to accurately forecast and optimize energy efficiencies. This level of detail and support ensures that projects are not only well-funded but are also strategically planned to maximize environmental benefits.

The GICB Program represents a considerable opportunity for municipalities, non-profits, and other eligible entities to revitalize their local infrastructure with the backing of federal support. It encourages the construction of a future-ready community ecosystem, designed to withstand environmental challenges while nurturing local growth and sustainability. By addressing both immediate infrastructural needs and long-term environmental goals, the program exemplifies a comprehensive approach to community development, contributing to Canada's overarching mission of a sustainable and inclusive society.