Social investment

Social investment

We understand that we play an important role in helping to solve some of society’s biggest challenges and are committed to making social investments – financial and beyond – to make people’s lives better. To achieve this, we partner with others and mobilize our employees through Cenovus Cares, our giving and volunteering program.

Our Social Investment Strategy is designed to fund and co-create inclusive solutions for society, the environment and the economy. Our approach is focused, holistic and inclusive, leveraging our core assets and making purposeful investments of financial and human resources to help solve key social issues of importance to our stakeholders and strengthening the communities where we operate.

Focus areas

We’re focusing our efforts on key issues within four focus areas that align with our purpose and values, commitment to inclusion and diversity, environmental, social and governance (ESG), and business priorities. By partnering with others and focusing our collective efforts on key issues within four priority areas, we’re able to leverage our strengths and optimize our resources to help create positive impacts and shared value for society and our business.

Areas of focus

  • Indigenous reconciliation

    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.

  • Protected planet

    We support innovative solutions to environmental issues — from lowering emissions to protecting our natural habitat — to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. We support projects that:

    • Advance and support the transition to a just, net-zero economy.
    • Protect and conserve our natural habitats.
    • Build knowledge about our energy future.

    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 focuses on conservation efforts in Newfoundland and Labrador through the Futures in Conservation Program. The program provides post-secondary students with STEM-based internships focused on protecting high priority natural areas and gives them work experience contributing to science and promoting conservation in communities. Learn more here.

    Alberta Ecotrust: We’re a Visionary-level supporter of Alberta Ecotrust, investing more than $1 million into the organization. We recently partnered with Alberta Ecotrust on a unique project aimed at providing carbon capture technology for non-profit organizations in Alberta. The project is part of their Climate Innovation Fund, which targets major urban greenhouse gas emissions in Calgary and Edmonton by identifying, investing in and scaling up a broad range of solutions that address climate change. Learn more about Alberta Ecotrust.

  • Future-ready youth

    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.

  • Resilient communities

    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.

Cenovus Cares: Employee Giving and Volunteering Program
Learn how our Employee Giving and Volunteering Program is helping us maximize our collective impact.
Our performance & impact
Cenovus Energy is a member of the London Benchmarking Group (LBG) and uses its methodology to measure and report our social impacts. Review our 2022 social investment summary.
ESG report

Read our environmental, social & governance (ESG) report to learn more about our ESG targets and performance.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Learn how Cenovus activities are contributing positively to the SDGs, and where we have opportunities to minimize our negative impact.

Our stories

Learn about Cenovus, including our operations, technology development and our community involvement. Read our stories.

Apply for funding

Our social investments are made in the form of donations, including cash or in-kind contributions and sponsorships, to eligible organizations to address key social issues aligned with our priorities.

Click the button below to learn more and submit a request for funding.

Submit a request for funding

Community in action