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.
Active Transportation Planning program – The ATP program supports local governments to incorporate or enhance active transportation components of formal planning documents (Official Community Plan, Sustainability Plan, Neighbourhood Plan, or Transportation Plan), including research, engagement, and policy development. Local governments with a population up to 25,000 that meet the grant criteria are eligible for up to $30,000 toward their active transportation planning costs. The 2024/25 intake will accept applications between October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025, or until funding is exhausted.
2025 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports – The FireSmart Community Funding and 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. The 2025 program materials are available now, with applications being accepted from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025
2025/26 Regional Community to Community Program – The Regional Community to Community (C2C) program funds C2C forums, events and planning activities between BC First Nations and local governments to support the advancement of First Nation/local government reconciliation and relationship building. Forums are eligible for up to $10,000.00, and eligible planning and agreement development activities are eligible for a further $10,000.00. Applications for the current intake are being accepted until September 5, 2025.
Other Funding
Grants and Funding from the Government of Canada.
NIDMAR: Disability Management Assessment and Subsidy – A Government of Canada grant provides free workplace disability management assessments, and up to $7,500 through an improvement subsidy to: enhance processes to significantly reduce costs and liabilities resulting from employee illness and injury; retain and engage skilled employees experiencing illness, injury, and longer-term disabilities; subsidize workplace improvements; and/or meet provincial requirements for Accessibility Plans.
Government of Canada: Local Festivals, Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program – This funding stream provides funding to local groups (including local non-profit groups, band councils, tribal councils, or Indigenous governments) for recurring festivals that present the work of local artists, artisans, or heritage performers. This includes the celebration of LGBTQ2+ communities and Indigenous cultural celebrations. Applicants may request up to 100% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $200,000. Applications are accepted throughout the year, depending on the anticipated festival date.
Grants and Funding from the BC Government
Work BC: BC Employer Training Grant – The BC Employer Training Grant is a cost-sharing grant program that provides employers throughout BC with skills training funding for their workforces, including prospective new hires. Employers can apply as often as they need and receive 80% of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000.
Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding – This program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to enhance their capacity to withstand and adapt to natural and climate-driven hazards through activities that bolster community resilience by providing data, building partnerships, and supporting long-term disaster risk reduction, as well as climate adaption planning and structural and non-structural disaster risk reduction projects. Eligible applicants can submit an expression of interest which are accepted on an ongoing basis. Selections are made annually, with funding decisions determined for that year. The cutoff date for 2025 is June 27, 2025.
For Indigenous Recipients
New Relationship Trust: Declaration Act Engagement Fund – The Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) provides multi-year non-repayable funding contributions to First Nations to support their capacity to engage with the Province on the implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan and alignment of Provincial laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The total funding cap over four years per Nation is $1,040,000. One application per Nation. The DAEF will accept new applications between May and December each year. Applicants will only have to apply once to the program.
Government of Canada: Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund – 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.
Other:
Accessibility Grants for Local Governments – Local governments are invited to apply for accessibility funding of up to $25,000. The grant program, run by SPARC BC, supports the implementation of projects and priorities identified in local government accessibility plans or in partnership with their Accessibility Committee.
FCM: Green Municipal Fund – This program funds capital projects that allow a community to remove 60% of total suspended solids (TSS) or a significant amount of other contaminants (e.g., e.coli, salt, grease) from its stormwater runoff. Potential applicants may submit initial review forms at any time. Application forms will be provided to eligible recipients.
FCM: Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative – This initiative is intended to help fund energy efficiency upgrades for existing community facilities. The Government of Canada, through is funding 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.
Events & Resources
Principles for Responsible Conduct – This online course, developed by UBCM, LGMA, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, introduces the principles that support responsible conduct by local elected officials in BC. The interactive course is based on real-life scenarios in which learners are part of the story. The code to access the course is VV81-5TFM.
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.
Indigenous Services Canada – ISC works collaboratively with partners to improve access to high quality services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. They provide information on social programs, emergency management, health, infrastructure, governance, education, economic development, funding programs, and other 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.