Mount Waddington, B.C. - Check out this monthly "Funding & Resources Update" from UBCM
Oct. 7, 2020 Each month we provide an update on UBCM funding programs and information on other programs, events and resources that may be of interest to local governments and First Nations.
Local Government Program Services Applications are currently being accepted for the following funding programs. A complete and chronological listing (by intake deadline) of currently offered Local Government Program Services grants is also available on the UBCM website.
Community Resiliency Investment: The 2021 FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program is open to local government and First Nation applicants. A variety of FireSmart and fuel management activities can be applied for. Funding maximums have been increased for communities with a lower risk class, and regional districts can apply for $50,000 per electoral area, over and above the base grant maximum. Application deadline is this Friday, October 9, 2020.
Housing Needs Report Program: This program supports local governments in undertaking housing needs reports in order to meet the provincial requirements. The reports will strengthen the ability of local governments to understand what kinds of housing are most needed in their communities, and help inform local plans, policies, and development decisions. Deadline: November 13, 2020.
Active Transportation Planning: The intent of this program is to support local governments, with populations of up to 25,000, to incorporate or enhance active transportation components of formal planning documents. Applications are due by October 30, 2020.
Community Emergency Preparedness Fund: These upcoming intake deadlines have been confirmed for following CEPF funding streams:
Structural Flood Mitigation - October 23, 2020.
Evacuation Route Planning - November 6, 2020
Emergency Support Services - January 29, 2021
Flood Risk Assessment, Flood Mapping and Flood Mitigation Planning - February 26, 2021
Emergency Operations Centres and Training - March 26, 2021
Regional Community to Community Forums: The goal of a Regional C2C Forum is increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments. Forum events are intended to provide a time and place for dialogue to build on opportunities, support reconciliation efforts, and resolve issues of common responsibility, interest or concern. The final intake deadline for the 2020/21 fiscal year is December 4, 2020. See the recently published Guide to Community to Community Forums in British Columbia for more information and helpful advice on convening a forum, including sample event plan, agenda, etc.
Other Funding
BC Housing Community Housing Fund: The BC Government is inviting non-profit and Indigenous housing societies, First Nations, housing co-operatives and municipalities to propose new affordable housing projects for the second intake of the Building BC: Community Housing Fund. The RFP will remain open until mid-January 2021.
Municipal Asset Management Program: MAMP is an eight-year, $110-million program funded by Infrastructure Canada to support Canadian municipalities and communities in making informed infrastructure investment decisions based on stronger asset management practices.
Systems Change and Participatory Action Research Grants: The Vancouver Foundation. The foundation is now accepting applications for both Systems Change and Participatory Action Research grants. Deadline is October 16, 2020.
Arts Infrastructure Program: This British Columbia Arts Council program enables eligible organizations to develop and enhance spaces that support the work of B.C.’s arts and cultural practitioners. Deadline is October 19, 2020.
Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure: The Rural and Northern Communities (RNC) Program was established to ensure the unique needs of British Columbia’s small, rural and remote communities are met – supporting their wide range of infrastructure priorities. Canada and British Columbia have committed up to $58.7 million towards the second intake of the RNC Program to support cost-sharing of infrastructure projects in communities across the province for projects starting in 2021 or 2022. Application deadline is October 22, 2020.
Childcare BC New Spaces Fund: This program provides funding to build quality, licensed child care in all regions of the province (on and off reserve). Indigenous Governments are eligible for up to $3 million in capital funding and Indigenous non-profit societies are eligible for up to $1.5 million (both at 100% Provincial contribution) to build a child care centre, renovate a building to create child care, or renovate to expand current child care services. Applications are due by November 1, 2020.
CleanBC Communities Fund: The Canadian and British Columbian governments have committed up to $47 million towards a second intake of the Green Infrastructure - CleanBC Communities Fund (CCF) to support cost-sharing of infrastructure projects in communities across the Province. This intake is designed to target projects starting in 2021 or 2022. These projects will focus on the management of renewable energy, access to clean-energy transportation, improved energy efficiency of buildings and the generation of clean energy. Application deadline is November 12, 2020.
Funding for Energy Efficient Affordable Housing: This $300 million FCM initiative offers support to local and affordable housing providers, including local governments, to retrofit affordable housing units or build new energy efficient units. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until annual funds are exhausted.
Infrastructure Planning Grant Program: The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing offers grants up to $10,000 to help local government plan, design and manage sustainable infrastructure.
Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative: The objective of this initiative is to increase economic development opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada by supporting Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs who are ready to launch agriculture and food systems projects and others who want to build their capacity to participate in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Proposals can be submitted at any time until September 30, 2022.
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Northern Development recently launched Trust 2020, a suite of community development programs, which include Community Places, Cultural Infrastructure, Economic Infrastructure, Main Street Revitalization Planning, Main Street Revitalization Capital, and Recreation Infrastructure.
First Nations Adapt Program: This federal program supports First Nation communities to assess and respond to climate change impacts on community infrastructure and emergency management. It prioritizes communities most impacted by sea level rise, flooding, forest fires, and winter road failures. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
New Relationship Trust: The NRT is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening First Nations in BC through capacity building. Numerous funding, initiatives and resources are available on their website.
FCM Funding Opportunities: Visit this site to learn about FCM’s funding offerings, from plans and studies, to pilot and capital projects, and more.
Columbia Basin Trust: CBT offers the grants and programs to help residents and communities in the Basin take action on issues that are important to them.
Other Funding Opportunities: BC Healthy Communities has compiled a list of funding opportunities worth knowing about, along with guides and resources to support your grant writing activities.
Events & Resources Rail Safety Improvement Program Information Session: This federal program provides funding for road authorities to make improvements to railway grade crossings, so that crossings meet the requirements of the Rail Safety Grade Crossings Regulations. The teleconference / WebEx information session will be held October 27, 1-3 pm (EDT).
Understanding Risk British Columbia: This online, collaborative symposium and event series will foster place-based risk reduction strategies to proactively enhance resilience and improve disaster recovery pathways in BC. Registering to attend provides access to over 20 online events that will connect you to the region’s most cutting-edge conversations about disaster risk reduction and building resilience. Events take place from September 6 - November 24, 2020.
Webinar - Reconciliation in a Time of Uncertainty: Dr. Robert Joseph, Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, is always a delight to listen to. Here is the link to his recent webinar presentation on the impacts of COVID-19 on reconciliation in Canada and the opportunities emerging from this crisis of working and being together.
Virtual Reconciliation Engagements: Interested in raising awareness about reconciliation for your community, organization or business? In light of the COVID-19 crisis, Reconciliation Canada is currently providing all our engagements online. They can provide a virtual gathering with our inspiring speaker to help engage reconciliation in a meaningful way.
The State of the Economy in Northern BC: This issue of Northern Dispatch asks the question,” how has COVID-19 impacted the economy in Northern B.C.?”
Webinar - Advancing Your Asset Management Practice: If you missed this recent Asset Management BC webinar, you can now view the recording. Meet our speakers and learn more about how this unique training program will benefit you.
Rapid Action Resources for Local Governments - Community Food Production: Over the coming months, PlanH will be releasing a series of Rapid Action Resources to provide local governments with an understanding of the equity considerations around various aspects of food security, as well as examples of good practices in food security from other local governments in the province.
BC FireSmart Website: This website introduces the FireSmart program and its seven disciplines and is intended as a one stop shop for all things FireSmart. The site includes links to training, education, an events calendar, resource library and downloadable content. It also features a short video inviting everyone to become involved in prevention and to learn about the benefits of FireSmart.
Wildfire Management in BC Community Forests: Research for this just-released report was begun following the unprecedented BC wildfires of 2017 and 2018. BC Community Forest Perspectives and Engagement in Wildfire Management 2020 Report,
Webinar - How can we use a Health Crisis to Create Healthier, More Resilient Communities?: The recording for this recent BC Regional Adaptation Collaborative Program webinar, featuring presentations by Jade Yehia and Dr. Shannon Waters, is now available on YouTube.
Financing tools for local climate action: Canadian municipalities are reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through pilot projects, municipal programs, and more. However, financing these initiatives can be a significant challenge. FCM’s toolkit explains how your municipality can leverage private and community investors to help you take action on climate change in your community.
ReTooling for Climate Change: The Fraser Basin Council hosts this first-stop website on climate change adaptation. Here is the place to find top tools and resources for BC local governments, First Nations and the natural resource sectors as everyone prepares for the impacts of climate change, now and in the years ahead.
Weathering the Storm - Developing a Canadian Standard for Flood-Resilient Existing Communities: This report from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation presents a flood hazard and vulnerability screening framework that can help identify areas in existing residential communities that require the most immediate attention for flood risk. Application of the framework will enable communities to make better-informed decisions when prioritizing areas for flood-resiliency programming.
BC Rural Centre: The Centre provides a wealth of links to assets, news, videos, services, and resources of value to rural British Columbians.
Resources for Rural & Small Communities: BC Healthy Communities has launched a collection of resources related to PlanH action areas, with a rural and small community lens.
Building sustainable communities with asset management: This guidebook is designed for staff or elected officials in medium and large municipalities who are responsible for green projects or who are interested in municipal sustainable development.
CivicInfo BC: British Columbia's local government information hub offers comprehensive organizational and grant directories, events listings, tools for training, research and career development, bids & tenders, and other resources.