Low Carbon Communities Program

Support is available for community solar, district energy, public building efficiency, active transportation, electric vehicles and other projects that have the potential to reduce emissions. Funding can be used for community planning, feasibility studies, public engagement sessions, program promotion and demonstration projects.

Types of grants

The Low Carbon Communities Program includes the Connect2 Program, and can support community projects in 6 areas:

Connect2:

    Active Transportation (AT) Infrastructure and Design
    Projects in this category may include:

    • support for minimum bike grid infrastructure or design
    • minimum bike grid network plans
    • engineering or feasibility studies

    Grants of up to $100,000 per project are available in this category.

Note: AT infrastructure projects which have had studies or construction phases previously funded through the Connect2 Program and are ready for construction in Summer / Fall 2019 are eligible for the Accelerated Stream. Please contact us at Connect2@novascotia.ca before July 3, 2019 to learn more.

    Clean Fleets and Shared Mobility
    Projects in this category may include:

    • shared mobility services pilot projects
    • zero-emission fleet pilot projects
    • bicycle fleet pilot projects, including electric bikes
    • zero-emission vehicle fleet conversion strategies
    • zero-emission vehicle charging station deployment strategies


    Grants of up to $75,000 per project are available in this category. Community Building and Engagement
    Projects in this category may include:
  • municipal staff training, capacity building, or networks
  • education campaigns
  • marketing and communications
  • public engagement activities
  • Grants of up to $50,000 per project are available in this category.

Low Carbon Communities:

    Advanced Buildings
    Projects in this category may include:
  • community building efficiency - non-electric
  • demonstration of deep energy retrofits and/or innovative heating systems
  • advanced buildings
  • building policy development, strategies, and implementation plans
  • Advanced building industry development

  • Grants of up to $75,000 per project are available in this category.

    Electricity
    Projects in this category may include:
  • smart grids and storage
  • community or neighbourhood energy planning
  • new energy financing mechanisms
  • solar garden and solar feasibility studies
  • district energy planning and feasibility
  • project strategies and implementation plans

  • Grants of up to $75,000 per project are available in this category.

    Community Building and Engagement
    Projects in this category may include:
  • municipal staff training, capacity building, or networks
  • education – energy literacy initiatives
  • marketing and communications – social marketing
  • public engagement activities
  • community energy conservation challenges

  • Grants of up to $50,000 per project are available in this category.

Questions?

Contact the Program Coordinator at connect2@novascotia.ca

Contact Information

Department of Energy
Joseph Howe Building 12th Floor
1690 Hollis Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3J9

Phone: 902 424-4073
Email: connect2@novascotia.ca

Downloads

Full Program Description

Show Us Your Route! Guide