Low Carbon Economy Fund - Indigenous Leadership Fund

The Indigenous Leadership Fund is a new program under the Low Carbon Economy Fund. It provides up to $180 million by 2029 to support climate action by Indigenous peoples. The program will fund Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects. These projects will help meet Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction target and net-zero emissions by 2050 - a key part of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. The program is delivered using a distinctions-based approach, with four funding streams: First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Designated. The First Nations funding stream will spend up to $73.9 million and is open to First Nations governments, communities, and organizations. The call for proposals for this stream will be open from October 30, 2023 to March 31, 2027. There is no deadline to apply. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until available funding is allocated. Projects must be ready for deployment or construction and be First Nation-owned and led to be eligible. The Inuit and Métis funding streams are delivered through a directed and continuous intake process over six years, starting in 2023. Four Inuit land claim organizations and five Métis governments are developing a portfolio of projects to access the funding they have been allocated. The Designated funding stream will spend up to $7.39 million and is open to Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations not already included in the funding streams for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. This can include Indigenous-owned businesses and corporations, Indigenous not-for-profit organizations, Métis Settlements, and Indigenous research, academic or educational institutions. The call for proposals for this stream will be open from January 31, 2024, to March 31, 2027. There is no deadline to apply. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until available funding is allocated. Projects must be ready for deployment or construction and be Indigenous-owned and led to be eligible.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, communities, and organizations, including economic development corporations.

Eligible projects must be Indigenous-owned (51% or more), Indigenous-led, and provide benefits to Indigenous peoples. Additionally, projects must be past the concept stage and ready for deployment or construction, meaning that project planning and pre-feasibility activities have been completed, other funding has been secured or is close to being secured, and partnership agreements, impact or environmental assessments, permitting requirements, and power purchase agreements have been finalized or are near finalization.

Indigenous-owned businesses and corporations; Indigenous not-for-profit organizations; Indigenous research, academic or educational institutions.

• First Nations funding stream: up to $6 million per project
• Designated funding stream: up to $1 million per project in provinces and up to $1.2 million per project in territories