Indigenous Off-Diesel Initiative – Cohort 2

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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 2 is collaboratively delivered by Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) Social Enterprise and the Canadian federal government. It was designed based on 18 months of engagement with Indigenous rights holders, Indigenous organizations, and stakeholders; Cohort 2 of IODI is informed by lessons from the Initiative’s first Cohort.

Cohort 2: Timeline

Application and selection: Fall 2022
Applications opened in October 2022 for individuals from remote Indigenous communities that use diesel or fossil fuels for heat and power. Energy Champions were selected by the Indigenous Council of Wah-ila-toos in February 2023. 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 economic benefits of renewable energy initiatives. Energy Champions receive $25,000 to support community engagement and project governance activities.
Phase 1: Summer 2023
Energy Champions take part in ICE's 20/20 Catalysts Training Program, a hands-on program designed to develop the skills to maximize community social and economic benefits of renewable energy initiatives. Energy Champions receive $25,000 to support community engagement and project governance activities.
Phase 2: Fall 2023
Energy Champion teams 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 projects. Once a renewable energy project idea 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 2025
Energy Champion teams receive up to $1 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.

Funding overview

Phase 1
$25K 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
Up to $1M in funding

Energy Champion teams lead their communities in renewable energy project planning and development.

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 2: Project information

Project name Province or Territory Team/Community
Né Askîy ᐊᐢᑭᐩ / Earth Project AB Askiy Energy Corporation
Ohskimahkahn (Renewable) AB Mountain Cree Camp
Small Steps. Big Strides BC Tahltan Band Council
Uchucklesaht Climate Action Plan BC Uchucklesaht Tribe Government
Gwa’yas’dums Village Efficiency Planning BC Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis First Nation
XGFNG Community Energy Plan BC Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government
Pangnirtung Clean Energy Committee NU Hamlet of Pangnirtung
Paulatuk Wind Project NWT Hamlet of Paulatuk
Ganawenim Oodenaawin (Protecting Community) for a Sustainable Future ON Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek – Gull Bay First Nation
Kangirsuk Wind and Hydro Project QC Tarquti Energy Inc.

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