Helping African Nova Scotian Communities Thrive Through Climate Actions

One North End (ONE) has been working hard within African Nova Scotian (ANS) communities to raise awareness and inspire action related to climate change, while creating opportunities for youth and building networks. With the support of HCi3, ONE’s “Empowering and Mobilizing African Nova Scotian Communities for Climate Action” initiative focuses on equipping communities with the tools and networks they need to thrive in the green economy. “We are not here to empower communities—they are already empowered,” said Rodney Small, Executive Director of ONE. “Our role is to connect these communities to the networks and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Grant award: $45,000

ONE’s work focused on seven ANS communities: Upper Hammonds Plains, Lucasville, Beechville, Africville, Lake Loon/Cherry Brook, and North Preston. In partnership with Next Ride, a program to promote knowledge and uptake of electric vehicles managed by Clean Foundation, over 500 electric vehicle test drives were offered, and more than 500 climate awareness surveys were completed, providing key insights into how communities perceive climate change. “These tours created a space for ANS communities to discuss climate change in ways that were meaningful to them,” said Rodney. “It was important that these conversations were led by the community, for the community, and connected to the issues they face every day.” In partnership with ANS's credible messengers and student support workers, ONE reached over 150 Black and ANS students, creating opportunities for authentic conversations about climate change and sustainable solutions.

Seven ANS youth were hired to lead engagements, and six students participated in a job shadowing program that ONE runs in partnership with the ReCover Initiative to introduce youth to deep energy retrofits. These youth acted as trusted leaders in their communities, conducting outreach and bringing the project’s mission to life. They also gained critical skills and hands-on experience in the green sector, helping to expose youth to careers in sustainability.

An important milestone of the project was identifying the North Preston Daycare as a candidate for a deep retrofit project. ONE worked with the community to develop grant proposals to identify funding opportunities to support a construction design, a crucial part of the retrofit process, and is dedicated to supporting the community in finding funding for capital costs to complete the retrofit. Once completed, the project is expected to reduce the daycare’s emissions by at least 50%, creating a model for other communities to follow. “One of the most exciting parts of this work is seeing results in real time,” said Rodney. “We’re seeing communities like North Preston now applying for grants connected to reducing emissions in their backyards. That’s the short-term goal. The long-term vision is helping these communities achieve net-zero emissions and creating more opportunities for our people in the green sector.”

Looking ahead, ONE plans to expand its efforts to other ANS communities throughout Nova Scotia. By building on the relationships and momentum established during this project, ONE will continue to connect community leaders and youth with the resources they need to thrive. The organization is also committed to capturing the lessons learned through a podcast featuring the youth involved, elevating their voices, and sharing the impact of their work. The partnership with HCi3 has been instrumental in advancing ONE’s goals. “Their support has allowed us to amplify our work,” Rodney noted. “It’s about more than just funding—it’s about building bridges to the resources and networks that make this work sustainable.”

One North End demonstrates how African Nova Scotia communities can lead the way in climate action by fostering community-led solutions, creating space for authentic conversations about climate change, and supporting youth leadership. This initiative is not just about addressing emissions—it’s about ensuring that these communities are equipped to thrive in a sustainable future.

Grant Highlights