Community Buildings Retrofit initiative

Since 2020, GMF’s $150-million Community Buildings Retrofit (CBR) initiative has been helping municipalities of all sizes across Canada transform their community spaces through energy upgrades.

CBR impacts:

$90+ million allocated to 199 projects across 9 provinces
51 community buildings are being retrofitted across Canada
125 feasibility studies underway to guide the most impactful retrofits
6,750 tonnes of CO₂ emissions expected to be reduced annually

By investing in their community buildings, municipalities are reducing energy use and maintenance costs, creating local jobs, and improving comfort and services for residents—all while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

FCM’s Community Buildings Retrofit initiative is delivered through our Green Municipal Fund and funded by the Government of Canada.

Funding update

The deadline to submit a full Community Buildings Retrofit (CBR) application is December 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

GMF remains committed to helping municipalities and their partners plan and deliver impactful community building projects. Funding for community buildings will become available again in early 2026 through GMF’s Sustainable Municipal Buildings (SMB) offer.

This transition will provide municipalities with a clear, streamlined path to fund retrofits and new construction projects for municipally owned buildings.

As the CBR initiative nears the end of its funding window on March 31, 2026, remaining funds will be directed to new community building construction projects under the SMB offer.

Next steps for applicants

If you have an active application under the CBR initiative that may be affected by upcoming changes, a GMF project advisor will contact you with the necessary information and next steps.

More information

If you have concerns about the future of a project in the pre- or full-application stage, please contact a GMF advisor at gmfinfo@fcm.ca, 1-877-417-0550, or book a meeting.

Stay informed about new and returning funding opportunities by subscribing to GMF’s newsletter, Connect.

Available funding

If you are interested in starting a new CBR application, we encourage you to contact a GMF representative at gmfinfo@fcm.ca to discuss your project. Our team can help assess whether you have the time and information needed to submit a full application before the December 19, 2025, deadline.

Feasibility study: Green Buildings Pathway

Funding to explore opportunities for energy-saving upgrades that lower costs and improve the performance of your community buildings

Capital project: GHG impact retrofit

Funding for upgrades that reduce energy use and operating costs in your community buildings.

Capital project: Green Buildings Pathway retrofit

Funding for long-term, energy-saving projects that reduce maintenance costs and improve comfort in your community buildings.

What is a municipal building?

A municipal building is a workplace that is:

- Owned by a municipal government.
- Primarily used by administrative or service staff to carry out their duties to the public.
- Not necessarily accessible to the public, but may have a public interface.

What is a community building?

A community building is an enclosed public place or an enclosed workplace that is:

- Primarily used to deliver athletic, recreational, cultural and community programs or services to the local community.
- Widely accessible to everyone, offering services that enhance the health and well-being, skills development and economic development of individuals and communities.

Are you seeking guidance to you get the most of your CBR initiative?

GMF now offers a new CBR Advisory Service and is intended to help municipalities maximize the potential of their CBR project by matching them to industry leaders who understand best practices in energy retrofits of community buildings and who can help municipalities achieve their energy goals.

Learn more here.

City planning meeting with the speaker holding a solar panel

Featured

Factsheets: Community Buildings Retrofit initiative

Learn how to retrofit existing community buildings to lower GHG emissions and extend their life cycle. View more

Featured resources

Whether you’re in the early stages of planning or are ready to implement energy upgrades to community buildings, GMF resources will always be available on our website to support you at every stage of the process.