Community Climate Capacity
Empowering Nova Scotian communities to increase their capacity and community resilience to take on climate challenges.About the Community Climate Capacity Program
Clean Foundation’s Community Climate Capacity Program (CCC), funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change, provides communities with a dedicated staff of specialists who can help guide them through climate and sustainability initiatives at the local level.
Whether it is the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather,
flooding or prolonged heat waves, climate change is increasingly affecting our communities. After launching in May 2023, the CCC team shared detailed information about the program with communities and organizations across the province, gathering feedback on climate change and sustainability challenges.
In October 2023, interested communities and organizations were invited to apply for the CCC program. In May 2024, 19 participants were welcomed to the program. Since then, participating communities have continued to receive dedicated support to identify climate challenges, develop policy and planning initiatives and help implement local adaptation and mitigation actions.
As of June 2025, Clean is reviewing Expressions of Interest for six to 10 coastal municipalities in Nova Scotia to join the CCC Program.
NEWMunicipal Climate Learning Group
CCC is extending climate action support to municipalities across Nova Scotia through its new Municipal Climate Learning Group (MCLG). Through the MCLG, registered municipalities will receive access to tools and resources to help support their local climate and sustainability initiatives.
2025 Coastal Municipalities
The 2025 cohort of the Community Climate Capacity (CCC) Program will collaborate with six to 10 coastal municipalities in Nova Scotia over three years to support their climate and sustainability measures. The program will work with successful applicant municipalities to help identify their climate challenges and implement effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. Whether it’s developing a new action plan or accelerating the implementation of an existing plan, Clean’s CCC Program can add value every step of the way.
Application Process
There is a two-part application process for the CCC Program. The Expressions of Interest are now closed for the CCC Program’s 2025 Coastal Municipalities, with full applications due June 20 by 11:59 p.m. ADT. Download the applicant guide to review our application and program expectations.
Glossary of terms
Check our glossary of terms to clarify unfamiliar terminology when completing the Expression of Interest. This resource is designed to assist interested applicants in the submission process.
Participating Communities
The Community Climate Capacity Program currently supports communities across Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia. Click below to see the full list of participating communities in these areas.
Cape Breton
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Identify natural-based solutions and enhance community resilience to climate change.
We’koqma’q First Nation
Develop a climate plan, explore renewable energy opportunities with a goal of becoming a Net Zero community and work to reduce waste.
Mainland
Municipality of St. Mary’s
Update and deliver its climate plan, focusing on coastal impacts and flood line mapping and climate mitigation work.
Town of Annapolis Royal, Town of Middleton and Municipality of the County of Annapolis
Develop a joint climate change action plan, address sea level rise and mitigate the impacts of climate change along the river and coast.
Town of Shelburne, Municipality of the District of Shelburne, Municipality of Barrington
Update climate change plan and identify climate risks.
Town of Kentville
Implement public education to raise awareness about climate issues, research ways to produce energy to meet the community’s needs, improve stormwater management and enhance urban greenery.
Municipality of Colchester
Support climate adaptation work with a focus on wildfire risk, wastewater treatment and adaptation planning for coastal parks and trails.
Municipality of East Hants
Incorporate climate-informed approach to asset management planning.
Municipality of Pictou County, Town of Pictou and Pictou County Partnership
Incorporate climate change-informed approach in waterfront planning and will work to create green jobs.
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg and Town of Mahone Bay
Support ongoing climate change adaptation and mitigation work, focused on natural assets, coastal wetlands and urban forest management.
Town of Truro
Develop and deliver a climate plan, measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust
Develop a climate public education plan to inform adaptation strategies and address food security through local food production and responsible land stewardship.
FAQ
These frequently asked questions are intended to answer some of the common inquiries about the Community Climate Capacity program.
What is the primary goal for Community Climate Capacity Project (CCC) and how does Clean provide support for participating communities?
The primary goal of the Community Climate Capacity Program (CCC) is to build capacity in communities to progress climate initiatives that will have a positive impact on their communities, regions and on the province at large.
Clean’s CCC team consists of Climate Leads, Community Navigators and Specialists with broad expertise in climate change and sustainability. Climate Leads and Community Navigators work to provide communities with direct and customized support, while Climate Specialists provide expertise and additional support in a variety of areas such as policy and planning, energy and mitigation, adaptation, project management, funding and engagement. Program managers support the direction of the program and liaise with program partners. Together, the team will help to identify climate challenges, develop policy and planning initiatives and help implement local adaptation and mitigation actions.
How were the 19 communities announced in 2024 selected for the Community Climate Capacity Program?
Communities were selected through a two-stage application process–an expression of interest that identified program eligibility, followed by an application process.
How does my municipality apply to become one of the 2025 coastal municipalities with the Community Climate Capacity Program?
The first step in applying to the CCC Program is filling out the Expression of Interest form, available here. Full applications will be provided to municipalities who successfully pass the Expression of Interest stage.
How much funding is provided to the participating communities for the Community Climate Capacity Program?
There is no direct funding to communities through the Community Climate Capacity Program. Participating communities will have access to a team of climate specialists, including a Climate Lead or Communnity Navigator, and the broader Clean team to support local climate initiatives.
There is no cost to communities to participate in the program.
How can the Community Climate Capacity Program help other municipalities become better prepared to respond to climate change?
In addition to supporting selected communities and municipalities, the Community Climate Capacity Program fosters collaboration, learning and skill development with communities across Nova Scotia. This is achieved several organized opportunities to connect with each other, including:
- Community of Practice – Open to participants of the CCC Program and provides regular opportunities for shared learnings and networking.
- Municipal Climate Learning Group – Open to all municipalities across Nova Scotia, offering participants opportunities to engage with climate specialists to deepen their understanding of climate action.
- Partners Summit – An event dedicated to networking and learning about climate work in the province.
These forums will support communities and municipalities at their current level of readiness and provide resources to further their climate work.
Check back on our website for more updates related to these events or reach out to ccc@cleanfoundation.ca.
What could the success look like for the Community Climate Capacity Program?
At the end of the project term (March 31, 2028), between 25 to 29 communities will have advanced their climate initiatives–such as improved energy efficiency and increasing their climate resilience. Overall, they will be positioned with capacity and competency to continue this work themselves.
FAQ – 2025 Coastal Municipalities Expression of Interest
These frequently asked questions are intended to answer some of the common inquiries about the Expression of Interest process and program eligibility for the 2025 coastal municipalities.
What is the Expression of Interest?
The Expression of Interest is the first step in applying for the Community Climate Capacity Program. It is a short questionnaire intended to gauge interest in the program, assess eligibility and collect information about climate capacity gaps in Nova Scotian communities.
How do I access the Expression of Interest?
The Expression of Interest is available online and can be accessed here.
I cannot access/complete the Expression of Interest online. Is there an alternative method of applying?
Applicants that require accommodation to participate in the Expression of Interest process are asked to please contact Clean at ccc@cleanfoundation.ca and our team will be happy to provide alternative application options.
Will the information in the Expression of Interest be scored as part of the application?
No. This initial process will not contribute to the scoring of the final application. The information collected in this form will be used to assess eligibility for the Community Climate Capacity Program’s group of 2025 coastal municipalities.
How do I request the full application?
Once the Expression of Interest is received, Clean will reach out with follow-up questions and suggestions to applicants on how to improve their initial submission. Following this process, an email containing the application link to apply for the Community Climate Capacity Program will be sent out to eligible applicants. Only communities that submit an Expression of Interest and are deemed eligible will be able to access the full application.
What is the deadline to submit the Expression of Interest?
We will be accepting Expressions of Interest through May 2025 until June 4, 2025. Prior to the close of the Expression of Interest, contacts that are registered to CCC’s email list will be provided with a notice of five business days to complete the Expression of Interest. If you have questions regarding the deadline, please contact ccc@cleanfoundation.ca.
What types of projects are eligible for Community Climate Capacity support?
The primary goal of the Community Climate Capacity Program is to build capacity in communities to progress climate initiatives that will have a positive impact on their communities, regions and on the province at large.
Projects eligible for Community Climate Capacity support may include, but are not limited to, the development of a climate plan, implementing elements of an existing climate plan, undertaking adaptation or mitigation measures, improving asset management or completing grant applications for funding to support climate initiatives.
If you have questions related to a proposed project, contact us at ccc@cleanfoundation.ca.
What communities are eligible to participate in the Community Climate Capacity Program's group of 2025 coastal municipalities?
The 2025 Coastal Cohort is open to coastal municipalities who are struggling to find the resources, support and staff to implement climate solutions are eligible.
Coastal municipalities include any Nova Scotian municipality whose boundaries intersect with projected worst-case flooding in the year 2100. See the Coastal Hazard Map to verify whether you meet this criteria, or reach out to ccc@cleanfoundation.ca.
Get in touch.
For general inquiries about the Community Climate Capacity program, please contact us at: ccc@cleanfoundation.ca
The Community Climate Capacity is supported by:
