WHO CAN APPLY?

Municipal units will be eligible to apply for funding for projects that meet the objectives of the Municipal Program.

Municipal Program funding can be used to support corporate projects (those that focus on reducing greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions from municipal operations only) and/or community projects (those that aim to reduce emissions from the community as a whole).

Corporate projects are sub-divided into those that are capacity-building and those that are action-oriented, resulting in three project categories. Full category descriptions are below.

Category One: Corporate Capacity Building Grant
Category Two: Corporate Action Grant
Category Three: Community Action Grant

Category One: Corporate Capacity Building Grant

To undertake significant greenhouse gas and air pollutant emission reductions within their own organizations, municipalities must first understand how they are using energy and creating emissions, and where their best savings and reduction opportunities exist. This information can be collected through undertaking emissions and energy inventories and energy audits of facilities.

The Corporate Emissions Reduction Capacity Building Grant will support both inventory and audit activities by municipalities. The inventory and audit must capture all sources of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions attributable to the municipality, and could include town halls and other facilities, vehicles, water and sewage, street lights, etc.

Municipalities that have not undertaken an emission/energy inventory and a basic audit of their facilities (either by a consultant or by internal staff) must complete these two components before accessing additional funds. If these have been completed and can be demonstrated by the municipality, the municipal unit is eligible to apply for funding under Category Two or Three of the Municipal Fund.

As part of a broader project to simplify and reduce the costs/resources needed for undertaking a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and help decision-making on establishing priorities, the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities (UNSM) has created a simple, standardized accounting methodology and tool-set aimed at small and medium-sized municipalities in the province. This project included the development of a stand-alone, training tool and a data collection and entry guide to explain the system for administrators and non-technical staff of municipalities to ease the entry and understanding of energy and emissions data. Municipalities are encouraged to use this tool for undertaking their inventory process. The UNSM has also compiled a list of agencies available to conduct the audit component. Information on the Inventory Tool and the list of auditing agencies can be found at http://www.sustainability-unsm.ca/.

Units will be eligible to receive 80% of funding up to a total of $10,000 to complete the inventory and audit. Reference the application form for the complete grant framework.

Please see the program's guidelines & application form for complete details.

An example of an Energy/Emissions Inventory is available upon request. An example of an Energy/Emissions Audit is available to review here: Report & Summary

Category Two: Corporate Action Grant

Reducing greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions from corporate operations can provide economic as well as environmental benefits to municipalities. The Corporate Action Grant of the Municipal Program will assist municipalities in realizing these benefits by supporting projects that will reduce emissions from internal municipal operations.

Municipalities that have completed an energy and emissions inventory and energy audit (see Category One) are eligible to apply for the Category Two Action Grant. The Action Grant will fund a maximum of 50% of total projects costs for initiatives that directly reduce greenhouse gas and local air pollutant emissions. Municipalities will be required to contribute a minimum of 20% to the project. These projects will commonly focus on:

energy efficiency and conservation (i.e. energy retrofits, clean vehicles, new construction, etc.);
renewable energy (i.e. wind, biomass, solar, etc.); and
cleaning existing energy supplies.

Applications will be evaluated based on the environmental benefits and the strength of the project plan. Preference will be given to projects that are:

Developed as the result of an emissions inventory and audit (i.e. from the Category One stream),
Innovative and/or demonstrative in the Nova Scotia context, and
Easily replicated by other municipal units.

The Municipal Program encourages partnerships among municipalities as well as with the private sector and NGOs.

Applicants are encouraged to obtain cash contributions and/or in-kind support from other sources. In-kind support from the lead municipality or other organizations can include the contribution of equipment, materials, office space, time, professional services, etc.

Reference the application form for the complete grant framework.

Please see the program's guidelines & application form for complete details.

Category Three: Community Action Grant

Community emissions reduction projects aim at directly reducing the energy consumption and emissions of organizations and individuals within a municipality. Municipalities who have completed an energy and emissions inventory and energy audit (see Category One) are eligible to apply for the Community Action Grant.

Municipal units will be eligible to apply for capacity building and/ or action projects, but preference will be given to projects that can demonstrate actual greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions reductions. Potential projects could include:

public transit
education and awareness programs
community emissions reductions programs (via energy efficiency/energy conservation)
community energy systems
support of a community based not-for-profit project (for example: a community recreation facility, community centre, etc.)

All Nova Scotia municipalities must complete an Intergrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) by March 31, 2010. An important part of the plan is a section describing the actions and/or strategy that will be used by municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Emissions reduction actions and/or strategies incorporated into the ICSP will be eligible for funding, however, there must be demonstrable emissions reductions resulting from the project.

The Action Grant will fund a maximum of 50% of total projects costs to initiatives that directly reduce greenhouse gas and local air pollutant reductions. Municipalities will be required to contribute a minimum of 20% to the project. Applications will be evaluated based on the environmental benefits and the strength of the project plan.

Applications will be evaluated based on the environmental benefits and the strength of the project plan. Preference will be given to projects that are:

Developed as the result of an emissions inventory and audit (i.e. from the Category One stream),
Innovative and/or demonstrative in the Nova Scotian context, and
Easily replicated by other municipal units.

There are clear synergies when organizations can work together towards a common goal. The Municipal Program encourages, and will give funding priority to, partnerships among municipalities and with the private sector and NGOs. Priority will also be given to projects displaying an innovative use of technologies and practices.

Reference the application form for the complete grant framework.

Please see the program's guidelines & application form for complete details.