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
Starting in January 2024, all of UBCM’s Local Government Program Services (LGPS) funding programs have moved to a new application process. Applicants are now required to use the LGPS Online Application Tool and submit their application in two steps before the application deadline. The new application process modernizes LGPS' current application procedures to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its adjudication processes. Please refer to the Appendix in each funding stream’s Program and Application Guide for more information on the new process and the information required to complete each step.
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.
Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning Funding Stream - The intent of this funding stream is to support eligible applicants to develop Evacuation Route Plans and/or Public Notification Plans that provide information for First Nations, local governments, and community members in the event of an emergency. The application deadline is April 26, 2024.
Asset Management Planning Program - The intent of the program is to assist local governments in delivering sustainable services by extending and deepening asset management practices within their organizations. The 2024 Asset Management Planning program can provide up to 50% of total project costs to the grant a maximum of $25,000 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. Applications can be submitted at any time; however, funding permitting, applications will only be reviewed two times in 2024. The 2024 application deadlines are May 10, 2024, and September 27, 2024.
2024 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. Applications for the 2024 intake will be accepted from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
Other Funding
AddressBC First Nations Grant Program - Funding available to ICI Society First Nations Members who are looking to develop a GIS dataset of civic addresses or to improve their existing civic address dataset. Grant amounts will be awarded based on the project’s scope, impact, and alignment with the program’s objectives with applications being accepted on an ongoing basis.
Clean Fuels Awareness - Funding for Indigenous-led awareness and education projects for cleaner transportation and clean fuels. Support for projects that increase knowledge and understanding about the opportunities, benefits, and considerations related to adopting clean fuels in industrial operations, across the economy, and for consumers. Clean fuels can include: clean hydrogen and renewable natural gas, biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol, renewable diesel, and synthetic fuels and sustainable aviation fuels.
Heritage Legacy Fund (Heritage BC) - Program funds are used for community initiatives that conserve and increase the understanding and appreciation of heritage resources. Heritage resources may include existing heritage buildings, structures, sites, cemeteries, districts, cultural landscapes, or intangible heritage such as language and customs. The Fund will also support Indigenous Partnership projects. There are four funding streams and the maximum funding contribution is up to $50,000. Closes April 26, 2024.
Biodiversity Conservation Grant - Fraser Basin Council, in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, is offering a one-time grant for local governments in 2024 to explore opportunities for funding conservation tools and incentives on private lands. Local governments can utilize this grant to explore developing a private landowner incentive model to achieve biodiversity conservation and climate action goals through carbon storage or sequestration. More information and an ‘Expression of Interest’ form are available by contacting CFIPLG@fraserbasin.ca. Submissions are due by April 30, 2024.
Local Community Accessibility Grant Program - Under the Accessible BC Act, local governments are required to develop a feedback mechanism, Accessibility Committee and Accessibility Plan. The Province of BC has allocated $5 million in one-time funding for eligible BC municipalities and regional districts, up to $25,000, to support the implementation of projects or priorities identified in their Accessibility Plan. Applications will be received and approved on a rolling basis until March 2026. Contact Louise O’Shea, SPARC BC 604-718-7748, accessibility@sparc.bc.ca
Codes Acceleration Fund: Accelerating Decarbonization - Natural Resources Canada has issued a call for proposals for the Codes Acceleration Fund. This program is providing $100 million to help provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous governments, and stakeholders decarbonize the buildings sector to support the achievement of net-zero emissions. The codes provide a series of performance tiers that lead towards making all new buildings net-zero energy-ready. Applications are closed, with exceptions for Indigenous applicants, until March 31, 2025.
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.
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities - This funding program supports project proposals that contribute to Indigenous-led climate action through biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems; and research, development, and demonstration projects. The program is working to reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating and electricity by increasing the use of local renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. This program has open intakes until the funding is fully committed or the program closes in 2027.
Green Municipal Fund: Offered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Green Municipal Fund is a $1.65 billion program funded by the Government of Canada. The unique mix of funding and capacity building delivers clear environmental, economic, and social impact. Grants are available for planning, studies, and pilot projects. Loans are available for capital projects, and most recipients receive an additional grant of up to 15% of their loan amount. An overview of the various funding opportunities is available online.
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 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, 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.
Legacy Fund: Building Communities through Arts and Heritage - This Department of Canadian Heritage Program provides funding for community-initiated capital projects, intended for community use. Recipients may receive up to 50% of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000. The fund supports a range of projects including capital projects that commemorate a significant local historical event; pay tribute to a significant local historical personality and the restoration, renovation, or transformation of existing buildings or exterior spaces. Applications are being accepted continuously.
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. The grant funding helps employers respond to their changing labour needs and helps develop a skilled workforce with the right mix of skills. 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.
Events & Resources
FireSmart BC Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit - The 2024 Summit will take place from April 20–24 in Prince George, BC where more than 600 firefighting professionals, FireSmart experts and Indigenous, municipal, and community leaders will gather to learn and network. Presentations will focus on how to recover from an unprecedented wildfire season, rebuild and prepare for future wildfires, and lead discussions in research, technologies, and best practices. Funding to assist local governments and First Nations is available through UBCM FireSmart Community Funding & Supports and ISC - FNESS On-Reserve FireSmart Program.
Psychological Health and Safety Certificate for Employees – Hosted by the BC Municipal Safety Association, this certificate program will be held by Zoom once a week, starting April 9, until the end of April 2024. Learning objectives include helping employees build the knowledge and confidence that enables them to recognize, speak to, and foster their own psychological health and their communication and conflict management skills. Students must complete the courses in sequential order and complete all four weekly courses to receive the certificate.
Indigenous-Led Conservation 2024 – This one-day conference presented by the Pacific Business and Law Institute will explore the philosophical roots, legal foundations, and the practical implications of Indigenous-led conservation efforts. Attend in-person in downtown Vancouver or via live webinar. The conference takes place on April 16, 2024 and the agenda is available online.
Heritage BC Conference - Explore how collaboration with local voices empowers communities to add their stories to the historical narrative. This event will explore how putting people at the forefront leads to shared ownership and increased support for heritage. May 1-3, 2024 – Nelson, BC.
MATI Managing People in Local Government Organizations – In a partnership between Capilano University and LGMA, students will travel to Salt Spring Island for this five-day course from May 5-10, 2024 that explores leadership competencies such as the ability to inspire, coach, foster cooperation, and manage conflict, as well as human resource skills and performance leadership planning. Register online for the first-come, first served spots by April 12, 2024.
Keeping it Rural Conference - The BC Rural Centre is hosting a rural-focused conference on rural development, spotlighting effective and innovative initiatives. This two-day event from May 21-23, 2024 will include topics such as agricultural practices, water resource management, rural development strategies, climate resilience, and the role of technology in enhancing food and water security in rural areas. Registration is available online.
Development & Amenity Cost Charges - Legislative Changes & Transitional Policy Implementation – A one-day session on June 3, 2024 presented by GFOA-BC will provide a discussion on the new Development Cost Charge framework in the Local Government Act and the Community Charter, including refinements to current approaches presently being used throughout BC and additional information needed to comply with new legislative requirements.
Government Finance Officers Association of BC - 2024 Boot Camp – This residential program held August 11-15, 2024 at the University of Victoria is designed for municipal and regional district finance professionals who are new to local government, are responsible for finance functions and aspire to be a statutory financial officer, or are in the statutory financial officer role and want a better grounding in the requirements and responsibilities of the position.
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.
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 an inspiring speaker to help engage reconciliation in a meaningful way.
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.
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.