Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program — CleanBC Communities Fund
BC, Canada
Money for BC clean-energy projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 26, 2022
- grant_single|closingDateMay 25, 2022
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Utilities
grant_single|grantors
- CleanBC
- Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
- Government of British Columbia
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get funding for infrastructure projects in communities across the province that focus on the management of renewable energy, access to clean-energy transportation, improved energy efficiency of buildings and the generation of clean energy.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant program incorporates a structured cost-sharing framework and reimbursement-based financial management. It mandates financial responsibility sharing between the federal and provincial governments and the applicants.
- The program involves a cost-shared financing approach, with the federal government covering up to 40% for local governments, up to 75% for Indigenous off-reserve project sites, and 25% for for-profit applicants.
- Successful applicants must cover all project costs that exceed the approved grant amount, including any ineligible expenses and project cost overruns.
- Funding disbursement is claims-based, necessitating applicants to pre-finance project costs and seek reimbursement post expenditure.
- Funds from other federal programs may impact the available funding due to federal stacking rules, but Indigenous applicants may use multiple sources of federal funding, pending approval.
- Projects must demonstrate financial readiness, including secured and committed funds to cover unfunded project expenses and potential overruns.
- Additional financial compliance includes maintaining robust accounting records and adherence to detailed claims and reporting requirements consistently.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports infrastructure projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and provide benefits to the public use, focusing on energy management and clean energy solutions within British Columbia.
- Projects that manage, distribute, and control renewable energy, including technologies improving capacity for biomass, biogas, geothermal, hydro, solar, ocean, wind, and battery storage management.
- Initiatives to increase access to clean energy transportation, such as public electric vehicle charging stations and active transportation projects in line with regional planning.
- Projects that improve the energy efficiency of public buildings, including energy efficiency retrofits and developments of PassiveHouse-certified buildings.
- Projects that support the generation of clean energy at the community level, replacing fossil fuels with cleaner energy sources like renewable natural gas plants.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 3,000,000
Setting up electric vehicle charging stations across Montreal
$ 10,000,000
Development of an electric bus fleet for public transportation
$ 1,300,000
Installation of solar panels on community buildings
$ 2,000,000
Energy-efficient retrofitting of municipal buildings
$ 4,400,000
Development of a bioenergy plant for processing agricultural waste
$ 2,500,000
Expansion of renewable energy management systems
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- The applicant must be a BC local government, Indigenous organization, or a not-for-profit/for-profit entity partnering with local governments or Indigenous organizations.
- The applicant must be located and active in British Columbia.
- The applicant for a not-for-profit must operate primarily for community benefit and collaborate with a local government or Indigenous government.
- The applicant for a for-profit entity must submit a project with broad community benefits that will not negatively affect other local businesses.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the CleanBC Communities Fund Intake 3 include various organizations within British Columbia that can demonstrate their projects align with the program's climate change mitigation goals.Eligible entities are:Local Government:- Must be a municipality or regional district established by or under British Columbia statute.Indigenous Ultimate Recipient:- A band council as defined by the Indian Act;- A First Nation, Inuit, or Métis government or authority established through a self-government or land claim agreement, approved and validated by federal legislation;- An Indigenous development corporation;- A Not-for-Profit organization focused on improving Indigenous outcomes in collaboration with eligible Indigenous entities or local governments.Not-for-Profit organizations:- Must be incorporated as a society in good standing within Canada;- Operate primarily for community benefit;- Located and active in British Columbia;- Collaborate with a local or Indigenous government.For-Profit organizations:- Must be located and active in British Columbia;- Collaborate with a local or Indigenous government;- Submit projects offering broad community benefits that do not adversely affect local businesses.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Organizations and entities that do not meet the eligibility requirements are excluded from applying for this grant. Specific types of organizations are deemed ineligible to ensure alignment with the grant objectives of supporting public benefit and sustainable development.
- Federal entities, including federal Crown Corporations.
- Organizations with no active location in British Columbia (BC).
- Improvement districts, water utilities, and private water systems not defined as eligible applicants.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible projects for the CleanBC Communities Fund focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the enhancement of infrastructure in key areas. The funding targets tangible capital assets that meet specific program outcomes.
- Management of renewable energy systems, including infrastructure enhancements that improve the capacity to distribute, control, or store renewable energy.
- Improving access to clean energy transportation through infrastructure projects such as public electric vehicle charging stations.
- Increased energy efficiency in public buildings, like retrofitting HVAC systems or improving insulation and air sealing.
- Local generation of clean energy, including community-based projects like biogas production or small-scale renewable electricity generation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to companies located in British Columbia, Canada. The eligible locations are designed to support regional development and infrastructure projects within this province.
- Businesses operating within the Province of British Columbia.
- Companies collaborating with local or Indigenous governments within British Columbia.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the CleanBC Communities Fund are based on criteria that emphasize GHG emission reduction, community need, and project sustainability.
- GHG emission reduction potential: The required Preliminary Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Assessment, comparing the project to a baseline scenario, is a significant factor in the evaluation.
- Value for money: Projects must demonstrate cost-effectiveness and efficient use of resources throughout the lifespan of the assets created.
- Community Objectives: Projects should contribute to community objectives based on local needs for sustainable services.
- Public and Environmental Health: Projects should enhance and protect public and environmental health.
- Sustainability: Projects must support sustainability principles and integrated long-term planning and management.
- Financial Planning: Projects must demonstrate financial viability, with the applicant showing an ability to sustain operations, renewal, and asset maintenance over the long term.
- Technical Feasibility: Projects must use the best available economically feasible technology.
- Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Projects should consider climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
- Consistency with British Columbia’s climate commitments: Additional priority may be given to projects supporting the key actions of British Columbia’s commitments under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to apply for the CleanBC Communities Fund (CCF) grant:
- Step 1: Contact Program Staff
- Reach out to the CCF Program via phone at 250-387-4060 or email at infra@gov.bc.ca.
- Discuss eligibility, program fit, project schedule, and other key details before starting the application.
- Step 2: Register and Access LGIS Portal
- Obtain a Business BCeID and password to access the Local Government Information System (LGIS).
- Submit BCeID credentials for LGIS portal access by May 4, 2022.
- Step 3: Prepare Application Documents
- Ensure your project meets the eligibility criteria and outcomes set by the CCF.
- Prepare all necessary documents including the Council/Board/Band Council Resolution, Evidence of secured funds, a Detailed Cost Estimate, and Preliminary Greenhouse Gas Assessment.
- Create a KML file for the project location, a project site plan, and gather any supplementary documents.
- Step 4: Draft Application
- Fill out the application form on the LGIS portal ensuring inclusion of all mandatory fields and details.
- Integrate project details, description, financials, and risk mitigation strategies into your application.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Review all parts of the application for completeness and accuracy.
- Submit through the LGIS portal before the deadline on May 25, 2022, at 3 p.m.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Costs associated with the Climate Lens are eligible as part of the grant funding.
- Unmitigated project risks may affect funding decisions.
- Only costs incurred between the final federal approval date and the project completion date are eligible, except for certain exceptions like Climate Lens assessments.
- Successful applicants must agree to adhere to any mitigation requirements specified in environmental assessments.
- Regular progress monitoring is required, with monthly budget forecasts and quarterly progress reports to be submitted.
- A strong emphasis is placed on projects maximizing greenhouse gas reductions.
- Projects must comply with federal "stacking" rules relating to the use of multiple sources of government funding.
- There is a preference for open public tendering over sole-sourcing for project contracts.
grant_single_labels|contact
infra@gov.bc.ca
250-387-4060
Apply to this program
CleanBC Communities Fund: Building Sustainable Infrastructure
The CleanBC Communities Fund provides financial support for infrastructure projects that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public benefit in BC communities. This program under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program focuses on building tangible assets that contribute to a sustainable future.
In-Depth Understanding of the CleanBC Communities Fund
The CleanBC Communities Fund (CCF) is a pivotal initiative designed to enhance infrastructure in British Columbia by supporting projects that mitigate climate change effects through the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a crucial component of the Green Infrastructure – Climate Change Mitigation sub-stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the CCF aligns with both federal and provincial ambitions to foster sustainable, resilient communities across the province.
Eligible for BC local governments, Indigenous organizations, or not-for-profits/for-profits partnering with these entities, the fund emphasizes the creation of "tangible physical infrastructure." Projects looking to secure grants must not only meet specific program criteria—such as increasing renewable energy management capacity, boosting access to clean energy transportation, improving building energy efficiency, or generating clean energy—but they must also culminate in public benefit or use. This focus ensures that the funded projects deliver broad-reaching impacts, enhancing community livelihoods while addressing climate action goals.
The CCF is also tightly coupled with the objectives of the broader CleanBC initiative, which is committed to positioning the province on a low-carbon trajectory that ensures economic growth while safeguarding the environment. With an injection of up to $134 million for the third intake, the fund is strategically designed to support construction projects that prioritize long-term sustainability and environmental stewardship. The fund supports projects expected to be prominently underway by summer 2023 and substantially complete by March 2027, ensuring a robust timeline that allows sufficient planning and execution phases.
Upon application, a rigorous assessment process evaluates projects primarily on their GHG reduction potential, alongside considerations such as overall community benefit, environmental impact, and alignment with strategic provincial plans. Successful applicants must demonstrate comprehensive project planning, robust financial management capabilities, and a commitment to long-term operational and maintenance responsibilities.
Moreover, the program's competitive nature necessitates a meticulous approach to application preparation, where prospective recipients provide detailed project descriptions, cost estimates, and proof of secured additional funding streams. Projects are often required to undergo a federal Climate Lens assessment post-shortlisting to ensure compliance with federal environmental objectives and to affirm project feasibility regarding climate resilience and mitigation efforts.
By encouraging investments in community-owned energy solutions and partnerships with industry, the CCF not only seeks to propel technical advancements within the provincial energy sector but also to cultivate community resilience and innovation. This funding represents a formidable opportunity for community-scale projects to make a significant, positive impact, supporting British Columbia's leadership in climate action and sustainable development.
