Through the new Project Accelerator program, participating communities will move through capacity-building training, gain access to a national network of experts and mentors and complete the program with a concrete energy efficiency project underway.
By Indigenous Clean Energy
IQALUIT, NU, March 8, 2023 – Announced today at the Qikiqtani Energy Forum in ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ (Iqaluit, NU), the Project Accelerator is an Indigenous-led program to support the start-up and implementation of Indigenous energy-efficient housing projects.
Program participants (Project Stewards) will have access to a broad network of clean energy experts and mentors, learn to lead a project through capacity development, and ultimately kickstart a community-led energy efficiency project. The program is open to all First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities and housing organizations committed to improving housing.
Over 18 months, Project Accelerator will offer blended virtual and in-person training programming to prepare participants to lead community-scale retrofits and high-performance new build projects.
Project Accelerator is part of ICE’s Bringing It home, a national initiative to foster community-centred ‘healthy energy living,’ enabling energy efficiency for new and retrofitted homes and facilities.
Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) is the national hub supporting Indigenous leadership and capacity-building for a clean energy future. Through its work and connection to Indigenous clean energy leaders, ICE has seen the need to take bold steps to improve the energy efficiency of Indigenous homes across Canada dramatically. This action is essential to addressing the housing challenges Indigenous communities face. ICE also acknowledges that investments in energy efficiency can be a dynamic economic generator – creating widespread employment and reducing home operating costs – while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Recognizing the incredible benefits of energy capacity and literacy in Indigenous communities, ICE is pleased to announce the launch of Project Accelerator.
To learn more about the program and to apply, visit: https://indigenouscleanenergy.com/our-programs/bringing-it-home/project-accelerator/
Read the Energy Foundations Report here.
Quotes
As Indigenous people, housing is a connector for our families and culture. When you look at Indigenous communities, you are certain to find common housing challenges right across Canada. This shared reality brings an opportunity for shared solutions. Solutions that improve health for our people, solutions that improve affordability, availability, and reduce the environmental impact of housing. This work is critical for our communities because it’s the health and culture at stake.
Quick Facts
- Investment in energy-efficient Indigenous housing yields significant direct economic impacts, including creating over 47,000 FTE jobs, $1 billion in household expenditure savings over ten years, and $11 billion in asset enhancement. - Energy Foundations Report
- The Indigenous Housing Energy Efficiency Data Set assumes that 65% of homes in First Nations and Métis communities require major energy efficiency retrofits. For Inuit communities, it is assumed that 46% of homes require major energy efficiency-related upgrades. - Energy Foundations Report
- The Project Accelerator program includes two grants totalling $125,000 to support project development.
- Bringing It Home will offer participants wrap-around supports to cover childcare or other personal needs to enable full participation.
- Participants will receive 1-on-1 mentorship and technical support from experts and mentors.
About Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE)
ICE is the leading platform in accelerating First Nations, Inuit, and Métis participation in clean energy projects in Canada from coast to coast to coast. ICE supports Indigenous Peoples to be clean energy change agents through capacity building, skills development, career training, and mentorship with high-quality and hands-on programming that is by, for and with community.
Media Contacts
Lina Forero, ICE Senior Communications Manager
Corey Cote, Bringing It Home Program Manager