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
Extensions to project end dates and final report deadlines are available for any approved LGPS project impacted by COVID-19. Extensions are available for all applicants that have applications under review and who may need additional time to meet application requirements. To request an extension or to discuss the status of any programs, contact the appropriate Program Officer or email lgps@ubcm.ca.
Applications are currently being accepted for the following funding programs. A complete and chronological listing of grants currently offered by Local Government Program Services is also available on the UBCM website.
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. Two intake deadlines have been set for the 2020/21 fiscal year: September 4 and 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.
Asset Management Planning: Matching grants of up to $15,000.00 are available to support activities that advance a local government’s asset management planning or practices, and that facilitate better integration of asset management planning with long term financial planning. The application deadline is September 11, 2020.
Community Resiliency Investment: The 2021 FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program stream of CRI has been announced. As with previous intakes, local government and First Nation applicants can choose from a variety of FireSmart and fuel management activities, supported by planning and rationale. 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 their base grant maximum. Application deadline is October 9, 2020.
Housing Needs Report Program: The application deadline for 2020 intake for the Housing Needs Report program has been rescheduled to October 16, 2020.
Community Emergency Preparedness Fund: The following intake deadlines have been confirmed for CEPF funding streams:
- Structural Flood Mitigation - October 23, 2020.
- Evacuation Route Planning - November 6, 2020
Funding permitting, looking ahead to 2021, the following additional intakes are anticipated. Application deadlines are to be confirmed:
- Emergency Support Services
- Emergency Operations Centres
- Training and Flood Risk Assessment
- Mapping & Mitigation Planning
Other Funding
COVID-19 Emergency Support to Community Organizations: Thanks to the Government of Canada Emergency Community Support Fund, the Canadian Red Cross is making grants and training available to community organizations across the country through two main programs, Granting Program for Non-profits Program and Preventing Disease Transmission Training and Equipment Program.
First Nations community guide on accessing additional COVID-19 supports: Extensive links and information on federal Indigenous Services Canada resources available during the pandemic.
COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Vulnerable Populations: A collaboration between FCM and the Canadian Medical Association Foundation, this program directly funds cities and communities to support vulnerable populations struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure: The Canadian and British Columbian governments have committed up to $100.6 million towards the second intake of the Community, Culture, and Recreation Program to support cost-sharing of infrastructure projects in communities across the province. This intake is designed to target projects starting in 2021 or 2022. Application deadline is October 1, 2020.
Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program: The Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program changes out old, smoky wood stoves for cleaner heating options including heat pumps, gas or pellet stoves and cleaner-burning wood stoves. The program is offered in communities around the province and provides funding to promote the exchange and offer incentives to replace old wood stoves. It also delivers education to help people operate their wood-burning appliances efficiently. The Province and BC Lung Association are currently soliciting proposals from communities that want to participate in the program. The deadline for 2020/2021 community funding applications is September 23, 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. On June 25, 2020, the Canadian and British Columbian governments 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. This intake is designed to target 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. The intake is opens and applications due on November 1, 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.
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. Organizations that have “Construction-Ready Projects” are encouraged to apply early, by September 4, 2020.
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.
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.
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Northern Development offers a range of funding programs suited to a diverse set of economic development priorities in central and northern British Columbia.
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
Community climate preparedness: The Fraser Basin Council invites Indigenous and rural BC communities of less than 10,000 people to express interest in taking part in a Community Climate Preparedness Virtual Workshop Series in the fall or winter of 2020/21. This series will consist of four training sessions on the basics of how to conduct a climate change adaptation engagement and planning process. The deadline for submissions is August 14, 2020.
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.
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.
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.