Launched in 2020 as a six-year, $300 million initiative, GMF’s Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) program has supported more than 40 municipalities to launch and expand innovative home-energy upgrade financing programs.
By empowering homeowners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades, CEF has strengthened local economies, supported climate leadership, and made homes healthier, more affordable and more resilient.
Since its launch, CEF has:
Supported more than 40 municipal programs in eight provinces.
Completed over 4,400 retrofits, with more than 10,000 expected in total.
Helped households save an average of $1,383 per year in energy costs.
Supported more than 3,000 jobs and contributed $293.8 million to Canada’s GDP.
Reduced over 13,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Leveraged over $70 million in private capital.
These achievements reflect the dedication of municipalities, delivery partners, and sector collaborators in building sustainable, affordable and resilient communities.
Program update
Due to strong national uptake, funding for the CEF initiative is now fully committed, and the program closed to new applications on December 31, 2025.
Current funding availability
Capital projects: Closed to new applicants across Canada, except in Quebec, where municipalities may apply until July 1, 2026, to ensure an equitable submission window.
Plans, studies and pilot projects: All submissions received prior to December 31, 2025, to be reviewed before the program transitions to a lower-allocation phase in March 2026.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact our Outreach team.
Continued support for municipalities
Even as funding winds down, municipalities can continue to access:
- CEF-developed tools, case studies and program design resources.
- Peer learning opportunities and sector connections.
- Technical guidance from GMF staff to help move projects forward.
Looking ahead
Municipalities are encouraged to explore opportunities such as resiliency-focused PACE financing through the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation (LLCA) program. LLCA enables existing CEF recipients to expand their programs to include both energy-efficiency and climate-adaptation measures.
Questions?
Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions regarding the CEF update.
FCM’s Community Efficiency Financing initiative is delivered through our Green Municipal Fund and funded by the Government of Canada.
Related resources
These CEF-developed tools, case studies and resources can help you accelerate local efficiency financing initiatives.
Article series: Remove barriers to home energy upgrades with Community Efficiency Financing
How communities across Canada are unlocking energy savings and comfort for local residents
Read moreCreating inclusive energy retrofit programs
A guide for Canadian municipalities and partners
Read moreWebinar recording: The real impact of home-energy efficiency financing
Learn how to achieve your climate goals by implementing a home-energy efficiency financing program in your community
Read moreResources: Community Efficiency Financing
Tools to implement your municipal home-energy upgrade financing program
Read moreHave questions about Community Efficiency Financing?
Contact our Outreach team who can answer any questions you have relating to this funding opportunity.
Take me to CEF funding offer
Get funding to deliver home-energy upgrade financing programs for residential energy projects.
Delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, GMF manages approximately $2.4B in programs funded by the Government of Canada.