Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund

Nova Scotia communities can now apply for funding to support their climate change mitigation and adaptation priorities – from deep energy retrofits and low-carbon transportation initiatives to flood and heat stress mitigation.

The Fund will provide non-repayable grants between $75,000 and $1,000,000 per project that range from 60 – 80% of eligible project costs. An applicant must make a financial contribution to the project, and their overall contribution may be a combination of cash and in-kind according to the cost-sharing requirements below. The required contributions depend on the value of total eligible project costs. Projects with higher eligible costs are expected to make a larger contribution, which can include other funding sources.

A minimum of 20% of eligible project costs must be contributed by the applicant. The financial contribution may be made by project partners or alternate funding sources such as federal funding. In-kind contributions such as staff time can count toward the applicant’s contribution to a maximum of 10%. All applicants must make a cash contribution to their projects.

Note: If selected for funding, grant recipients will have 45 days from the conditional grant offer to confirm matching funds. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the withdrawal of the offer.

Projects with total eligible costs of:

• Up to $249,999 will require a contribution of at least 20% of eligible project costs
• $250,000 – $499,999 will require a contribution of at least 30% of eligible project costs
• $500,000 + will require a contribution of at least 40% of eligible project costs

For example:

• A project with total eligible costs of $100,000 will require the applicant to contribute at least 20% or $20,000. The Fund will provide a grant no greater than 80% or $80,000.
• A project with total eligible costs of $400,000 will require the applicant to contribute at least 30% or $120,000. The Fund will provide a grant no greater than 70% or $280,000.
• A project with total eligible costs of $1,000,000 will require the applicant to contribute at least 40% or $400,000. The Fund will provide a grant no greater than 60% or $600,000.

In-kind contributions

In-kind contributions can constitute a maximum of 10% of the total eligible project costs. These can include donated material, equipment, or labour. Applicants will be required to disclose in-kind contributions within the budget at the application stage.

Grants provided from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund are considered provincial funds. As per provincial stacking rules, no more than 80% of the total project costs can be covered by the Province of Nova Scotia.

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