Low Carbon Communities
Highlights
This program is tailored for your business to support innovative, low-carbon projects. By applying, you can receive up to 75% of your project's eligible costs, with a maximum of $75,000 for clean buildings, electricity, and transportation projects, and $50,000 for clean energy education. This funding can significantly reduce your financial burden and help you implement sustainable solutions.
Key Benefits:
- Generous Funding: Up to 75% of project costs covered.
- Upfront Payment: Receive 90% of the funding at the start.
- Diverse Categories: Support for buildings, electricity, transportation, and education.
Approval from this program can enhance your business's reputation as a leader in sustainability, attract eco-conscious customers, and potentially lower operational costs through energy efficiency. The application process is straightforward, and with the majority of the funding provided upfront, it offers a financial cushion to get your project off the ground quickly.
Financing Details
Type of Financing:
- Grant: Receive up to $75,000 to cover up to 75% of eligible costs for community-led projects focusing on greenhouse gas reductions.
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment required for the grant received.
- No interest rates apply to the funding provided.
Eligible Expenses:
- Funding can be used for testing new ideas, applying best practices, increasing knowledge, and enhancing equity and accessibility in low-carbon solutions.
Ineligible Expenses:
- The funds cannot be used for any expenses not directly related to the approved project scope.
Fees:
- No fees associated with the program, as it is a grant and not a loan.
Qualifications
- Must be a municipality, First Nations band or organization, registered non-profit, post-secondary institution, or business.
Must demonstrate a benefit to communities in Nova Scotia.
- Disqualifications:
- Projects that do not support low-carbon solutions in buildings, electricity, or transportation.
- Projects that do not demonstrate a benefit to communities in Nova Scotia.
Description
This program offers a great opportunity for your business to contribute to reducing greenhouse gases. You can receive up to 75% of your project costs covered, with funding amounts up to $75,000 for clean buildings, clean electricity, and clean transportation projects, and up to $50,000 for clean energy education projects.
The money can be used for various activities, such as testing new ideas, applying best practices, increasing knowledge, or enhancing equity and accessibility. 90% of the funding is provided at the start of the project, which means you have the resources you need right away. The remaining 10% is given after you complete the project and submit your final reports.
This funding can help your business make significant strides in adopting low-carbon solutions, which not only benefits the environment but can also lead to cost savings and improved community relations.
Program Steps
To apply for the program, follow these steps:
1. Review the Program Guide: Download and read the Program Guide (PDF) to understand the requirements and ensure your project aligns with the program's goals.
2. Submit an Expression of Interest: Complete and submit the Expression of Interest form by 24 June 2024.
3. Await Review: The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables will review your expression of interest. If your project is eligible, they will send you an application form.
4. Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents to support your application. These may include:
- Business registration details
- Project proposal
- Budget breakdown
- Timeline for project completion
- Any relevant permits or approvals
5. Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.
6. Submit Application and Documents: Email your completed application form and all supporting documents to [email protected] by 22 July 2024.
7. Attend Information Sessions (Optional): Consider attending one of the information webinars to learn more about the program:
- 5 June 2024, 11:00am to 12:00pm Register here
- 10 June 2024, 2:00pm to 3:00pm Register here
8. Project Completion and Reporting: Complete your project by 31 October 2025 and submit the final report to receive the remaining 10% of the funding.