Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative – Cohort 1
On this page
- About the Initiative
- Cohort 1: Timeline
- Funding overview
- Cohort 1: Project information
- Related information
About the Initiative
The Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative (IODI) is a renewable energy training program that supports Indigenous-led climate solutions in remote Indigenous communities that use diesel or fossil fuels for heat and power.
The Initiative supports Energy Champions and their community teams with renewable energy training, access to expertise, and financial resources to plan and develop an ambitious renewable energy project. IODI Cohort 1 is collaboratively delivered by the Pembina Institute, and the Canadian federal government. It was designed based on 18 months of engagement with Indigenous rights holders, Indigenous organizations, and stakeholders.
Cohort 1: Timeline
- Application and selection: Spring 2019
- Applications opened in February 2019 for individuals from remote Indigenous communities that use diesel or fossil fuels for heat and power. Energy Champions were selected by an external Indigenous Jury in April 2019.
- Phase 1: Summer 2019
- Energy Champions take part in ICE Social Enterprise’s 20/20 Catalysts Training Program, a hands-on program designed to develop the skills to maximize community social and benefits of renewable energy initiatives. Champions receive $20,000 to support community engagement and project governance activities.
- Phase 2: Fall 2019
- Energy Champions and their communities receive up to $500,000 to conduct community engagement, complete training, and develop a Community Energy Plan. The Community Energy Plan is used to inform the community’s renewable energy project. Once a renewable energy project is determined (e.g., solar panel installment within the community), Energy Champion teams develop a Phase 3 proposal outlining the implementation plan for this project.
- Phase 3: Spring 2022
- Energy Champions are each awarded $1.6 million in funding to advance project design and development, guided by their Community Energy Plan from Phase 2. Phase 3 activities may include, but are not limited to, business and/or project plans, Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies or other engineering design work, site selection, negotiation of a Power Purchase Agreement and/or installation of renewable energy equipment.
- Phase 4: Spring 2023
- An additional $9 million is available to support renewable energy project development through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program.
Funding overview
Phase 1
$20K in funding
Energy Champions complete renewable energy training through the 20/20 Catalysts Program delivered by ICE Social Enterprise.
Phase 2
$500K in funding
Energy Champions receive funding and resources for community engagement, training, team salaries, and community energy planning.
Phase 3
$1.6M in funding
Energy Champion teams lead their communities in renewable energy project planning and development.
Phase 4
Up to $9M in funding
An additional $9 million is available to support additional clean energy project development through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program.
Energy Champions, with the support of their teams and communities, must fully complete each phase before they can move onto the next. The federal government and ICE Social Enterprise will support participants in completing each phase and accessing resources, while being responsive and flexible to community priorities.
Cohort 1: Project information
Related information
- Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative – Cohort 2
- Clean energy in Indigenous, rural and remote communities
- Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) Social Enterprise
- Pembina Institute
Since 2017, Natural Resources Canada has invested $75 million in six clean technology challenges under the Impact Canada Initiative: Power Forward, The Sky’s the Limit, Charging the Future, Indigenous Off-diesel Initiative, Women in Cleantech and Crush It!
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