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.
Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation
This new funding stream’s intent is to support eligible applicants to reduce risks from future disasters due to natural hazards and climate-related risks. The grant maximum is $2.3 million per applicant across three activity categories. Application deadline: September 30, 2022.
Asset Management Planning
The intent of the 2022 AMP program is to assist local governments in delivering sustainable services by extending and deepening asset management practices within their organizations. Matching grants are available to support activities that advance a local government’s asset management planning or practices, and facilitate better integration of asset management planning with long term financial planning. Second 2022 application deadline: September 30, 2022.
FireSmart Community Funding & Supports
The FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire. Applications for this program will be accepted starting October 1, 2022 for the 2023 intake.
Volunteer and Composite Fire Departments Equipment and Training
The intent of this stream is to build the resiliency of volunteer and composite fire departments in preparing for and responding to emergencies through the purchase of new or replacement equipment and to facilitate the delivery of training (up to $30,000 per eligible applicant). The purchase of major fire apparatus is not eligible. Application deadline: October 21, 2022.
Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Training
The intent of this stream is to support eligible applicants to enhance cultural safety and humility in the delivery of local emergency management programs and services. Activities include cultural safety and humility training, adapting emergency management tools to be inclusive of Indigenous peoples, and activities related to partnering with, or providing assistance to, Indigenous communities during emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery (up to $30,000 per eligible applicant). Application deadline: November 25, 2022.
Community to Community Forum
The program’s goal is increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments. Forum events with elected officials and senior staff provide a time and place for dialogue to build on opportunities, support reconciliation efforts, resolve issues of common responsibility, interest or concern, and/or to advance tangible outcomes. Winter application deadline: December 2, 2022.
Emergency Support Services
The intent of this stream is to help communities build local capacity to provide ESS through volunteer recruitment, retention and training, including in-house training, and the purchase of ESS equipment (up to $30,000 per eligible applicant). Application deadline: January 27, 2023.
Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training
The intent of this funding stream is to support the purchase of equipment and supplies required to maintain or improve EOCs and to enhance EOC capacity through training and exercises (up to $30,000 per eligible applicant). Application deadline: March 31, 2023.
Other Funding
BC Active Transportation Grants
Active transportation infrastructure grants are available for Indigenous and local governments, Funding is available for cost-sharing for AT network planning (up to $50,000) and infrastructure (up to $500,000). The application intake opens on September 6, 2022, and the deadline for submissions is October 21, 2022.
Natural Infrastructure Fund
The $200 million Natural Infrastructure Fund supports building community awareness of the value of natural infrastructure. Municipalities, local governments, provinces or territories, public sector bodies, Indigenous organizations, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations in partnership with other eligible applicants outside the private sector, can apply for federal funding to restore and enhance natural infrastructure like urban forests, street trees, wetlands, living dykes, bioswales, and naturalized coastal restoration. The application deadline is September 27, 2022.
BC Hydro Beautification Fund
BC Hydro's Beautification Fund provides financial assistance to municipal governments for conversion of overhead service to underground facilities to enhance and improve the use of public spaces. Submit application and supporting documents by September 30, 2022 (for funding in following fiscal year).
Mass Timber Demonstration Funding
Forestry Innovation Investment is seeking Expressions of Interest for the 3rd Mass Timber Demonstration Program (MTDP). The MTDP is dedicating $2M to advance mass timber innovation. Successful applicants may be eligible to receive up to $500,000 towards the incremental costs in the design and construction of buildings that showcase emerging or new mass timber or mass timber hybrid building systems and construction processes. The application deadline is October 7, 2022.
Economic Development Capacity Funding
The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior has up to $375,000 available for Strategic Pillars 1 and 3: Building Economic Development Capacity, and Innovating & Advancing Key Sectors. Information sessions September 27 and 28 will explain the application criteria and process, plus provide helpful application tips for economic development projects planned for 2023. Application Guides for both funding streams are now available and applications will be accepted on the ETSI-BC Grant Application Portal starting October 1, until 4 pm PST on November 1, 2022. Funding will be announced by mid-December.
Reduce Fossil Fuel Use in Fleets
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is offering combined loan and grant funding for capital projects that reduce or avoid fossil fuel use in any vehicle that delivers municipal services. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities of all sizes undertake environmental sustainability projects that reduce energy consumption/greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and improve their air quality. Initial review forms can be submitted year-round and application forms will be provided to eligible applicants.
Refugee resettlement funding
A federal $2 million Refugee Resettlement Fund has been established to support resettling refugee families. Six BC communities (Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Nanaimo, Abbotsford, Surrey) have dedicated service provider organizations to deliver the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP). RAP provides essential services to refugees in their first year in Canada. Information and resources on supporting refugees in BC can be found on the BC Refugee Hub, a provincially-funded online resource hub.
Disaster Financial Assistance
The Province of BC announced DFA is now available to local governments and First Nations impacted by this past summer’s wildfires and the recent overland flooding. The funding is available to cover disaster-related losses not covered by insurance, such as wildfire damage to public infrastructure including roads, bridges, and other publicly-owned infrastructure.
Residential Schools: BC Response Fund
Provincial funding is available for First Nations-led strategies to identify, investigate, protect, and commemorate the sites of former residential schools and hospitals in BC and for providing the mental health, wellness, and cultural supports required to do this work. Lead communities may apply to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. Up to $475,000 is available for each site.
Residential Schools: Federal Funding
Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada will fund the locating, documenting, maintaining, and commemorating of burial sites associated with former residential schools, and responding to family wishes to commemorate or memorialize their losses and the children's final resting places. Proposals are welcome from Indigenous governments, councils or tribal councils, Indigenous not-for-profit groups, and organizations, including survivors’ groups, demonstrating a close working partnership with and directed by Indigenous-governed organizations.
Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative
This Federation of Canadian Municipalities initiative is intended to help fund energy efficiency upgrades for existing community facilities. The Government of Canada, through the Green Municipal Fund, has launched this $167 million initiative to help Canadian municipalities of all sizes retrofit existing community facilities, such as arenas, pools, and libraries, to significantly reduce GHG emissions, while reviving important community assets.
Other Funding Opportunities
BC Healthy Communities has compiled a list of funding opportunities worth knowing about, along with guides and resources to support grant writing activities.
Events & Resources
FireSmart
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 the program.
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 engagements online. They can provide a virtual gathering with the inspiring speaker to help engage reconciliation in a meaningful way.
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.
BC Rural Centre
The Centre provides a wealth of links to assets, news, videos, services, and resources of value to rural British Columbians.
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.