Indigenous Leadership Fund

About the program

The Indigenous Leadership Fund is a program under the Low Carbon Economy Fund. It provides up to $180 million by 2029 to support climate action by Indigenous peoples. The program funds 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. This is a key part of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

Recognizing the unique rights, interests, and circumstances of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, communities, and organizations, the Indigenous Leadership Fund uses a distinctions-based approach to deliver funding to support projects that:

• are Indigenous-owned and led
• advance Indigenous climate leadership
• support the self-determined climate, social, and economic priorities of Indigenous peoples

As announced in Budget 2022, up to $32.2 million will go to the Atlin Hydro Expansion project, which will provide clean electricity to the Yukon and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Funding streams

Environment and Climate Change Canada is delivering the program using a distinctions-based approach and is working and communicating directly with Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations to deliver funding to support projects. The three distinctions-based funding streams are:

• First Nations
• Inuit
• Métis

A designated funding stream for eligible applicants not already included in the funding streams for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis is also available.

First Nations

The call for proposals for the First Nations funding stream is open from October 30, 2023, to March 31, 2027. There is no deadline to apply. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until available funding is allocated.

The First Nations funding stream is spending up to $73.9 million. It was developed in collaboration with First Nation representatives and Indigenous clean energy experts. The stream is open to First Nations governments, communities, and organizations, including First Nations tribal or band councils, Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations, First Nations-owned businesses and corporations, First Nations not-for-profit organizations, etc.

The call for proposals can fund a variety of project types and sizes, with a maximum ECCC contribution of $6 million per project. The stream supports First Nation-owned and First Nation-led renewable energy, energy efficiency, or low-carbon heating projects that provide benefits to First Nations. Eligible 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.

Proposals that include non-First Nation partners must provide transparent and comprehensive information on the ownership and governance structure of the project, including details on decision-making processes.

First Nations governments, communities, and organizations interested in this funding stream can contact us by email at LeadershipAutochtoneFEFEC-IndigenousLeadershipLCEF@ec.gc.ca so that we can share the Eligibility Criteria and Expression of Interest form. This form is used to determine if the project would be eligible in principle for the First Nations funding stream. If the project is eligible in principle, you will be sent an application package to begin the formal application process.

Inuit

This funding stream was developed in collaboration with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and four Inuit land claim organizations. It is delivered through a directed and continuous intake process over six years, starting in 2023. Each Inuit land claim organization is developing a portfolio of projects to access the funding they have been allocated.

Funding under the Inuit stream is available for the following Inuit land claim organizations:

• Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
• The Makivvik Corporation of Nunavik
• The Nunatsiavut Government
• The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

Métis

This funding stream was developed in collaboration with the Métis National Council and five Métis governments. It is delivered through a directed and continuous intake process over six years, starting in 2023. Each Métis government is developing a portfolio of projects to access the funding they have been allocated. Funding allocations have been determined using the Métis National Council’s funding formula.

Funding under the Métis stream is available for the following Métis governments:

• Métis Nation of Ontario
• Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
• Métis Nation of Alberta
• Métis Nation British Columbia
• Manitoba Métis Federation

Designated stream

Eligible applicants for the Designated funding stream are 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 is open from January 31, 2024, to March 31, 2027. There is no deadline to apply. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until available funding is allocated.

The Designated funding stream is spending up to $7.39 million to support Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led renewable energy, energy efficiency, or low-carbon heating projects that provide broad benefits to Indigenous peoples. Eligible 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.

Proposals that include non-Indigenous partners must provide transparent and comprehensive information on the ownership and governance structure of the project, including details on decision-making processes.

Eligible applicants interested in this funding stream can contact us by email at LeadershipAutochtoneFEFEC-IndigenousLeadershipLCEF@ec.gc.ca so that we can share the Eligibility Criteria and Expression of Interest form. This form is used to determine if the project would be eligible in principle for funding. If the project is eligible in principle, you will be sent an application package to begin the formal application process.

Eligible projects

The Indigenous Leadership Fund supports Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led projects that meet the following criteria:

1. Incorporate or make use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, or low-carbon heating technologies and practices
2. Offer broader environmental, social, and economic benefits
3. Use proven technologies and practices (proven technologies usually correspond with a level 8 or above on the Technology Readiness Level Scale)

Applicants are also encouraged to submit projects that:

• help reduce GHG emissions in 2030
• align with Canada’s goals for net-zero emissions by 2050

Contact us

If you have questions on the Indigenous Leadership Fund or would like to learn more about the program, please contact us by email at LeadershipAutochtoneFEFEC-IndigenousLeadershipLCEF@ec.gc.ca.

Related links

• Low Carbon Economy Challenge
• Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund
• Implementation Readiness Fund
• Indigenous climate and environmental funding

Additional resources

• Indigenous Climate Hub
• Wah-ila-toos Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program
• Northern REACHE Program
• First Nation Adapt Program
• Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program