Social Investment: Inspiring Action Elevating Impact

We partner with Indigenous Peoples and others to help address social and economic priorities to advance reconciliation, together. We support projects that:

• Enhance social and economic well-being in Indigenous communities.
• Improve education to employment pathways.
• Build business and entrepreneurial skills.
• Promote Indigenous identity, contributions, knowledge and understanding.

Our impact

Indigenous Housing Initiative: Our Indigenous Housing Initiative is the largest social investment in Cenovus’s history. It involves the commitment of $50 million over five years to build approximately 200 much-needed homes in Indigenous communities near our operations and train community members in housing construction thanks to a partnership with Portage College. Learn more here.

Indspire: We’re proud to partner with Indspire, an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. Since 2018, our contributions to Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards Program have awarded 160 Cenovus scholarships valued at $3,500 each, an amount we increased to $5,000 each in June 2022. Cenovus is also a proud sponsor of the annual Indspire Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals who exemplify Indigenous excellence and Indspire’s annual Soaring: Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering. Learn more about Indspire.

We support organizations that:

• Protect and conserve natural habitats and biodiversity
• Enhance and activate public green spaces

Our impact

Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC): For more than a decade, we’ve partnered with the NCC, a non-profit organization that works to tackle projects that aim to make a difference in biodiversity and ecosystem health. Our partnership supports NCC’s vast conservation efforts in western Canada. Our $5 million investment has been triple-matched through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) generating an additional $15 million investment in critical conservation efforts from other sources. Cenovus has also supported NCC’s land conservation and educational programs in Atlantic Canada.

Project Forest: Since 2022, Cenovus has been supporting Project Forest, a non-profit organization focused on rewilding local landscapes. Our support focuses on tree planting programs in Alberta and includes unique corporate planting programs for our employees to volunteer through Cenovus Cares, our giving and volunteer program.

We help to provide access to education and skills training to prepare young people for the jobs of today and tomorrow. We support projects that:

• Improve job and career readiness.
• Provide 21st century skills training (e.g. digital and creative thinking).
• Enhance professional network development.

Our impact

Bachelor of science in engineering technology (BSET) program: In 2020, we partnered with the Ohio State University in Lima to help deliver the BSET program and established Cenovus Lima Refinery Scholarships for 20 students to participate. The BSET program was created in response to Ohio manufacturers’ need for highly skilled engineers who have general manufacturing technology skills and a good working knowledge of business and leadership principles. This evidence-based, interdisciplinary program is available at Ohio State’s regional campuses through a special partnership with the College of Engineering. Learn more here.

Tailoring Skills Program for Women: In partnership with Captivating International, we deliver a program that supports an intensive professional tailoring skills program aimed to give young women in China’s Qinghai Province the skillsets that allow for self-sufficiency. To date, 144 women have participated in the program with more than 75% of graduates reporting a significant increase in their regular monthly incomes due to being able to work in a tailor based trade. Many women report they are earning stable income for the first time in their lives. Following the course, graduates report feeling more confident and optimistic as a result of gaining stronger economic independence. Learn more about the program.

Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF): Since 2020, we’ve been a Developer-level sponsor of the CWSF. The CWSF is Canada’s largest annual youth science, technology, engineering and mathematics event, and brings together the country’s top young scientists. The 500 young finalists compete for medals, cash prizes, scholarships and opportunities that will help them develop their skills and shape their future. Learn more about the CWSF.

We provide the training, tools and on-the-ground support needed to enhance readiness, respond to challenges and build healthy, safe and resilient communities. We support projects that:

• Enhance community safety and preparedness.
• Improve mental health access and support.
• Deliver significant local social and/or economic impacts.

Our impact

Superior Fire Department: We support the Superior Fire department in their goal to safely provide the highest quality of service to the Superior community. Our funding helps provide emergency response training and winter protective gear and will be used towards the purchase of a new ladder-truck specialized in industrial response and rescue. Learn more about the Superior Fire Department.

STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Services): For more than 30 years, we’ve supported STARS in their mission to provide safe, rapid and responsive medical transport services in Alberta and Saskatchewan, contributing more than $2.8 million. Additionally, our support includes funding for operations and the construction of the Lloydminster Hospital helipad in Saskatchewan. The newly constructed pad drastically reduces the time it takes for STARS to land and for patients to receive emergency medical services. Learn more about STARS.