Clean Energy Initiatives in Indigenous, rural and remote communities
Please note: Due to high demand, the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program under Wah-ila-toos will no longer be accepting applications effective September 15, 2023, for:
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Capacity Building projects
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities – Deployment of renewable energy projects
Note that capacity building and deployment projects in the North are eligible under Northern REACHE.
There are currently more projects under review than available funding. Projects submitted to these funding streams prior to September 15, 2023, will be added to a waitlist and considered for funding should funds be made available. Our Pathfinding support may also assist with finding alternative funding options.
Wah-ila-toos is still accepting applications under:
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities – Biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities – Research, Development, and Demonstration projects
- Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Energy program (Northern REACHE).
If you are unsure which stream your application fits within, please submit a contact form and we will be in touch to discuss. Please continue to visit this website for further updates.
Transitioning to clean energy
Many Indigenous, rural and remote communities use diesel or other fossil fuels for heat and power. Diesel is a well-known and reliable energy source, however, it can also impact communities and the environment.
The transition to clean energy continues to be important to Indigenous communities and the Government of Canada as we work together towards reconciliation.
Our mission is to improve access to funding and provide support for clean energy initiatives in Indigenous, rural and remote communities across Canada. We have recently been gifted a sacred name by Indigenous Grandmothers and Elders that represents the meaningful relationships that we strive to establish with our Indigenous partners. Learn more about Wah-ila-toos.
An additional $300 million is available through 2027 for your clean energy projects, subject to available funds. These projects can help advance Indigenous-led climate action, support local economic development and create skilled jobs while reducing pollution and improving air quality.
Changing how we work
To make funding more accessible for Indigenous communities, multiple departments are changing the way we work. We are committed to improving community access to federal clean energy funding and resources.
Meet you where you’re at
Remove barriers & increase access
Engagement & dialogue
Community-centred approach
Flexible timelines
Hands on support
Indigenous Council
The Council members were selected for their knowledge and leadership in supporting clean energy projects within communities.
Learn about the members and the roles of the Council.
Project funding
Wah-ila-toos supports the shift to clean energy in Indigenous, rural and remote areas that use fossil fuels for heat or power, including Northern and Arctic regions and industrial sites.
We prioritize Indigenous-owned or led projects, or projects with community partnerships, providing support for all project stages and a variety of technology types.
Types of projects we fund
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
- Solar
- Wind
- Hydropower
- Energy storage
- Energy Efficiency (e.g., building retrofits, energy audits – undertaken as part of a renewable energy project or smaller-scale projects in the North)
- Innovative technologies (e.g., grid modernization, ocean energy, hydrogen)
Capacity Building
- Training, skills and curriculum development
- Energy coordinators
- Energy literacy
- Energy planning
- Workshops, events and engagement
- Research and feasibility studies
Heat
- Biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems
- Biomass supply chains
- Geothermal
- Solar thermal
Who can apply?
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments, development corporations and organizations
- Canadian businesses and not-for-profit organizations
- Provincial, territorial, regional or municipal government organizations
Get in touch to apply for funding
Please note: Due to high demand, the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program under Wah-ila-toos will no longer be accepting applications effective September 15, 2023, for:
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Capacity Building projects
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities – Deployment of renewable energy projects
Note that capacity building and deployment projects in the North are eligible under Northern REACHE.
There are currently more projects under review than available funding. Projects submitted to these funding streams prior to September 15, 2023, will be added to a waitlist and considered for funding should funds be made available. Our Pathfinding support may also assist with finding alternative funding options.
Wah-ila-toos is still accepting applications under:
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities – Biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems
- Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities – Research, Development, and Demonstration projects
- Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Energy program (Northern REACHE).
Contact us to share more about your community’s vision, idea or project. Our program team is looking forward to hearing from you.
You can submit a contact form through the link below or request an application by email. You will hear back from us within 5 business days. If you are a representative of a First Nation, you can also contact your ISC regional office.
There is no deadline to apply. We review applications on an ongoing basis, subject to available funds.
Funding is being delivered through the Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative, by NRCan’s Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program (CERRC) and CIRNAC’s Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Energy program (Northern REACHE), in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Infrastructure Canada (INFC), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
Additional funding
If you are looking for additional funding, please check out this list of federal Indigenous Climate Funding programs. If you have questions about funding options, our team is happy to speak with you directly. Email us at nrcan.remoteenergy-energieadistance.rncan@canada.ca.
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