Low Carbon Communities

Low Carbon Communities (LCC) is a provincial grant program delivered through the Nova Scotia Department of Energy. LCC provides funding for community projects in Nova Scotia that support cost-effective clean energy and low carbon solutions in the buildings, electricity, and transportation sectors.

Funded projects have multiple benefits and can involve testing new ideas, applying best practices, increasing knowledge, and enhancing equity and accessibility.

Clean energy and low carbon projects strengthen Nova Scotia's economy, support local green jobs, and help communities save money and become more resilient.

LCC aims to:

  • Help communities complete the preparatory work required to develop their projects (an essential step to access implementation funding opportunities)
  • Advance community-led, innovative solutions for clean energy
  • Support learning by doing and information sharing
  • Contribute to social and equitable investments in Nova Scotian communities
  • Support projects that have multiple benefits including economic, jobs, health, resilience and cost savings

Funding categories

Projects should support cost-effective clean energy and low-carbon solutions in one of the following categories:

  • Clean Buildings
  • Clean Electricity
  • Clean Transportation
  • Clean Energy Education

Funding amount

The Low Carbon Communities Program provides up to 75% of total eligible project costs. Projects can only receive up to the maximum funding amount for their project funding category.

Category Maximum funding
Clean Buildings $75,000
Clean Electricity $75,000
Clean Transportation $75,000
Clean Energy Education $50,000

Accessing the funding

The Low Carbon Communities Program provides 90% of the funding at the start of the project. Recipients receive the remaining funding when they complete the project and submit final reports.

Who can apply

The program is open to Nova Scotian: municipalities, First Nations Bands and organizations, registered non-profits, post-secondary institutions, and businesses which have projects that benefit Nova Scotian communities.

Important dates

  • April 25, 2025 by 11:59 PM ADT – Deadline to submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • May 20, 2025 by 11:59 PM ADT – Deadline to submit application package
  • August 28, 2026 by 11:59 PM ADT – Deadline to complete project and submit final report

How to apply

Applications are currently closed.

Contact

Low Carbon Communities
Joseph Howe Building 12th Floor
1690 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3J9

lowcarboncommunities@novascotia.ca

Additional resources

Program Guidelines - 2025-2026 (PDF)
Program Assessment Criteria - 2025-2026 (PDF)
Program Sample Application Form - 2025-2026 (PDF)
Program Sample Budget Forecast - 2025-2026 (PDF)
Program General Webinar 2025-2026 (PDF)
Program Grant Recipients - 2024-2025 (PDF)
Community Solar Program
Connect2 Program
Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund