Natural Resources Canada

Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative

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Process

The initiative is a phased approach:

Phase 1: Identify and train community Clean Energy Champions.

Phase 2: Support community-driven clean energy planning.

Phase 3: Provide funds to begin implementing project(s) to achieve diesel reduction goals.

 

Timeline

The initiative will take place over 3 years, with the majority of the work happening within remote communities.

  • ‘Generating new opportunities: Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative’ launch and call for applications

    February 13, 2019

  • Deadline for applications and Champion selection

    March 2019

    The external Indigenous jury reviews all applications and selects Clean Energy Champions.

  • Phase 1: 20/20 Catalysts program period and community engagement

    April – July 2019

    Champions take part in the 20/20 Catalysts Training Program, a hands-on program designed to develop the skills to maximize community social and economic benefits of clean energy initiatives.

    Champions receive $20,000 to support community engagement activities.

  • Submission of proposal for Phase 2

    September 2019

    The external Indigenous jury reviews all proposals to ensure there is a detailed workplan, team and community support for the Clean Energy Champion and phase 2 activities.

    If the jury determines a Champion is not ready to move onto the next Phase, they are not disqualified from the Initiative but will be given more time to complete the proposal.

  • Phase 2: Development of ambitious diesel reduction vision and community energy plan

    October 2019–March 2022

    Champions work with their respective communities to develop a community energy plan, identify training requirements to support the plan and develop a detailed project implementation plan.

    Each community is eligible for up to $500,000 for activities.

  • Jury Review

    The external Indigenous jury reviews work undertaken in Phase 2 and endorses transition to Phase 3.

  • Phase 3: Project design and development to begin implementing plan

    October 2020–February 2023

    Communities start to develop their first clean energy project, identified through the clean energy planning process.

    Each community is eligible for up to $1.6 million for activities.

  • Final feast and sharing of results

    Spring 2023

  • Continuing Implementation

    March 2023 - March 2026

    The external Indigenous Jury will select the leading Clean Energy Champions and their communities who will be eligible for follow-on funding.

    Up to $9M in funding is available to support additional clean energy project development under the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program.

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.