Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program
Deadline: GNPP call supporting Market Development Teams open until April 5, 2023
Introduction
More than two thirds of buildings that will be standing in Canada in 2050 have already been built today, and many of them need to be retrofitted to make them more sustainable. The Government of Canada is investing $35.5M over five years, starting in 2022-23, for Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to implement a Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program (GNPP) that aims to validate the benefits and business cases of aggregated deep energy retrofits approaches in up to six community housing neighbourhoods in Canada.
The GNPP focuses on clusters of low-rise housing and seeks to pilot the Energiesprong aggregated retrofit model in the Canadian market. This model, developed by the Netherlands and adopted by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United States, accelerates the pace and scale of retrofits by aggregating similar homes and buildings in an entire neighbourhood to create mass demand for deep energy retrofits. This scale of project and similarity of buildings can leverage new retrofit approaches such as the use of prefabricated exterior panels to reduce on-site labour time and overall project costs, while reducing the energy use intensity and emissions from each retrofitted building. This support for community-level home retrofits aligns with the Net-Zero Advisory Body’s recommendation to seek out opportunities to decarbonize multiple buildings at once.
In parallel to the launch of this program, NRCan has launched the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative (DRAI). The DRAI is a complementary program that will support retrofit accelerators that focus on providing services to the owners of large buildings, including commercial, institutional, and mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings. Applicants interested in facilitating deep retrofits to those building types should refer to the DRAI’s website.
About the GNPP
The GNPP will pilot the Energiesprong model in Canada through initiatives that:
- Validate the technical and economic feasibility of the Energiesprong deep energy retrofit approach
- Support regional Market Development Teams (MDTs) in their work to accelerate the market for aggregated deep energy retrofits
- Support deep energy retrofit demonstration projects in community housing buildings in up to six communities (100-150 units per demonstration site)
- Fund critical S&T activities to overcome challenges in implementing novel retrofit solutions, and support engagement and sharing of best practices with stakeholders.
This will be done through two different calls for proposals. There will be individual intake processes for each call, as outlined in the timelines below. Separate and detailed guidance will be provided for each call on its opening date.
Calls and Timelines
Market Development Teams (MDTs) Call: up to $3M to support MDTs in their work to develop the regional market for aggregated deep energy housing retrofits at scale.
Open for Proposals: February 9, 2023
Deadline for Proposals: April 5, 2023 (11:59 pm, PT)
Project Selection/Notification: Spring/Summer 2023
The success of the Energiesprong model is underpinned by the presence of MDTs. These are third-party organizations who convene and coordinate supply- and demand-side actors to broker aggregated deep energy retrofit projects at pilot- or full-scale, find solutions to regional gaps and barriers, and drive market transformation in their regions. Examples of other industry terms for MDTs or similar concepts include “retrofit coordinators”, “retrofit accelerators,” or “retrofit transaction enablers.”
This first call for proposals under the GNPP, referred to as the GNPP-MDT call, will support up to six MDTs in developing regional roadmaps to enable aggregated deep energy retrofits in the Canadian market, and promoting the development of Energiesprong-inspired deep energy retrofit projects in communities across the country.
The GNPP-MDT call will support a suite of projects that exhibits regional distribution. It has a target of funding at least one project that is Indigenous-led or involves an Indigenous organization or community as a core partner.
Demonstration projects Call: to support demonstrations of the Energiesprong model.
Planned to be launched later in 2023.
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
Eligibility
The GNPP is open to legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada. Details are outlined in the Applicant Guide for each call.
How to apply
Eligible recipients interested in being considered for financial support are required to:
- Read the Applicant Guide carefully to determine eligibility
- Download the Application Package (ZIP file: fillable PDF project proposal form, statement of work (SOW) and budget template).
- Submit your completed application, with the SOW and budget tables and any other required documentation, on or before the application deadline.
! NOW OPEN – GNPP Market Development Teams Call for proposals
Submit your application
For the current funding round, the deadline for submitting a project proposal is 11:59 pm, PT on April 5, 2023.
* When submitting your application, be sure to attach the completed project proposal form (PDF), SOW and budget tables (Excel), and any other required documentation.
Contact us
If you would like to request an application package, or have any questions or comments, email us at gnpp-ppqv@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Information sessions were held on March 20 and 21.
To receive a copy of the presentation in English or French, contact the program.
We aim to respond to inquiries within 2 business days
Stay connected
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