How Can You Benefit From The Green And Inclusive Community Buildings Program?

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program provides funding for retrofits, repairs, and renovations to existing publicly accessible community buildings, as well as the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings in underprivileged and high-needs areas across Canada.

The GICB initiative will support projects such as retrofits, repairs, and upgrades to existing community buildings and new community building developments. As Saskatchewan’s top-rated solar panel installers , we’ll give you all the necessary information so that you can benefit from this initiative.

To learn more about it, keep reading.

Defining The Green And Inclusive Community Buildings Program

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program (GICB) initiative intends to develop new community buildings and improve existing ones. Particularly in regions with high needs, while also making the buildings more energy-efficient, low-carbon, resilient, and high-performing.

This five-year, $1.5 billion program will fund green and accessible retrofits, restorations, or improvements (such as solar panels ) to existing public community facilities, as well as the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings in high-needs, underserved areas across Canada.

The GICB program contributes to the first pillar of the strengthened climate plan by making it easier for Canadians to improve the places where they live and gather, such as by reducing pollution, making life more affordable, and supporting thousands of good jobs.

What Kinds Of Projects Are Eligible For Funding?

The GICB program will provide funding for two categories of projects:

Retrofits, repairs, and upgrades to existing community buildings: Retrofits are modifications to an existing structure or asset that attempts to remodel, upgrade, or repair components of the facility or asset in order to enhance environmental results. Retrofits must be made to public facilities that will provide non-commercial services to the community.

New community building construction: New construction must be of a facility/asset that is open and accessible to the public, and that will provide non-commercial services to the community.

Grants

Retrofit projects throughout Canada can get up to $860 million in funding. More than $430 million is available for new building construction in Canada:

Small retrofit projects have total eligible expenses ranging from $100,000 to $249,999.
Medium retrofit projects have total eligible expenses ranging from $250,000 to $2,999,999.
Large retrofit projects have total eligible expenditures ranging from $3,000,000 to $25,000,000.
New building projects have total eligible expenses ranging from $3,000,000 to $25,000,000.

Solar energy projects can be retrofitted into existing structures or incorporated into new building engineering and construction projects. The Green & Inclusive Community Buildings standards notably address and emphasize energy efficiency improvements.

Qualification Criteria

The application structure is available on the Government of Canada’s website, Infrastructure Canada. According to the program’s complete document, there are certain general qualifying standards that are relevant. So, here are the kinds of initiatives that will be funded under this program.

Non-Commercial Structures

These structures must be “non-commercial, community-oriented structures and spaces that provide open, available, and accessible public communal services.”

Communities With Special Needs

One of the program’s primary focuses is on neighbourhoods that prior administrations have mistreated. Indigenous communities are explicitly targeted, with around 10% of this cash designated solely for Indigenous communities.

The Government And Public Sector

Municipal, provincial, and territorial government buildings, as well as municipally owned businesses, provincial or territorial entities that supply municipal services, or any other form of local governance.

Indigenous Populations

Band councils; First Nations, Metis, or Inuit authorities; federal or provincial not-for-profit organizations designated to help Indigenous communities; and Indigenous development businesses are all eligible recipients.

Also Read: Step Into Solar Power With The Canada Greener Homes Initiative

How To Apply

Submitting an application to the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings initiative is a three-step procedure.

Step – 1

Please read the Applicant Guide for more information on the program, including applicant and project eligibility requirements and directions on how to apply for funding.

Step – 2

You are encouraged to complete the Candidate Registration Form if you are a qualified applicant with an eligible project.

Step – 3

Complete your application by logging in to the online application site using the link and account information sent to you via email. Please keep in mind that you can save your application as many times as you need before submitting it.

About Sundawg Solar

Sundawg Solar is a Saskatchewan-based renewable energy provider. We provide a wide range of solar power solutions, including off-grid solar power systems. We have a strong commitment to protecting the environment for future generations. We are proud to have provided industry support for 40 years and remain dedicated to doing so. Learn more about Sundawg Solar.