Applications for the first cohort are now closed. Please visit the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative Cohort 2 webpage for more information about additional funding opportunities.
Generating New Opportunities:
Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative
The ‘Generating New Opportunities: Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative’ aims to support remote Indigenous communities in developing and implementing ambitious plans to reduce diesel use for heat and power.
Learn more about the Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative
Transcript
Canada is home to hundreds of remote indigenous communities.
Many of them are off the grid and rely on diesel to power and heat their communities.
As we build a cleaner energy future, indigenous communities are helping to lead the way.
Supported by the tools, information and skills needed to transition to renewable energy sources like...wind, solar, hydro, and biomass.
Together let's build cleaner communities and create local jobs and economic opportunities.
Become a clean energy champion for your community.
Generating new opportunities: Indigenous Off-diesel initiative.
Indigenous Clean Energy, Pembina Institute
Canada
What is the definition of an Indigenous remote community?
- An Indigenous remote community is one with a majority Indigenous population that identifies itself culturally and traditionally as being First Nation, Inuit, or Métis, and
- Is not connected to the North American electrical grid or the piped natural gas network, and is a permanent or long-term (5 years or more) settlement with ten or more dwellings.
Over three years, the Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative will support Clean Energy Champions and their communities with tailored clean energy training, access to expertise and financial resources to develop and start implementing an ambitious diesel reduction plan!
Together, we will:
Fight climate change by supporting community-driven clean energy solutions to help reduce diesel use.
Harness clean energy resources that work best for each community.
Create green jobs and training opportunities, improve air quality, increase energy security and more!
Awards
$20k
Lead the transition to clean energy!
Clean Energy Champions participate in 20/20 Catalysts program. All costs for participation are covered by the Initiative. Each Clean Energy Champion also receives an additional $20,000 to get started.
$2.1M
Electrify your network!
Each Clean Energy Champion and their Indigenous remote community are eligible to receive up to $2.1 million to develop ambitious diesel reduction goals and begin implementing a community-scale clean energy plan.
$9M
Generating New Opportunities! Final Awards Announcement
Up to an additional $9 million will be awarded to leading communities to support plan implementation over two more years.
Support the transition to clean energy
Local renewable energy — wind, solar, hydro, biomass — can replace diesel, reduce the environmental and health impacts of diesel use, and create local jobs and economic opportunities for remote communities.
Reducing reliance on diesel can benefit communities by:
- increasing energy quality and reliability
- improving air quality
- supporting energy independence
- creating new jobs and learning opportunities
- reducing pollution and risks of diesel spills
- supporting community activities, housing and food security
Collaborators
This initiative is delivered in collaboration with the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise (ICE SE) and the Pembina Institute.
This collaboration allows Clean Energy Champions to participate in the ICE SE 20/20 Catalysts program, which includes sessions with Indigenous leaders and clean energy practitioners from across the country. Participants and their communities will gain the skills and tools needed to maximize the social and economic benefits communities gain through clean energy initiatives.
Find out more about reducing diesel in Canada
Initiative Details
Who can apply?
Individuals who reside in, or have strong and ongoing ties to, an Indigenous remote community that is currently reliant on diesel fuel for power and/or heat
To qualify as an Indigenous remote community, the community must (1) have a majority Indigenous population (2) not be connected to the North American electrical grid or the natural gas pipeline network (3) be a permanent settlement of at least five years with ten dwellings or more.
Key Dates
- Launch: February 13, 2019
- Champion selection: March 2019
- Phase 1: 20/20 Catalysts program period and community engagement: April - July 2019
- Phase 2: Development of ambitious diesel reduction vision and community energy plan: October 2019 - March 2022
- Phase 3: Project design and development to begin implementing plan: October 2020 - February 2023
- Final feast and sharing of results: Spring 2023
Funding
- Each Champion receives $20K to get started
- Each Clean Energy Champion and their Indigenous remote community are eligible to receive up to $ 2.1 million to develop ambitious diesel reduction goals and begin implementing a community-scale clean energy plan.
- Up to an additional $9 million will be awarded to leading communities to support plan implementation over two more years.
Stay Connected
Join the conversation using #ImpactCanada and #OffDiesel.