Each month, we provide an update on funding programs administered by UBCM along with and information on other programs, events, and resources of interest to local governments and First Nations. Most of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund 2025-26 intakes are now open.
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.
The following funding streams’ materials are now available online and applications are being accepted:
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 close December 31, 2025.
Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Training – The intent of this funding 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. The grant maximum is up to $30,000 and applications will be accepted until January 30, 2026.
Next Generation 911 – The intent of the Next Generation 911 funding program is to support local preparedness for the implementation of NG911, and to provide funding to eligible recipients to support the transition and operational readiness of existing 911 services to NG911, in compliance with the CRTC Mandate. The grant maximum is up to $45,000 and applications will be accepted until February 13, 2026.
Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training – The EOC stream is intended to support the purchase of essential equipment and supplies required to maintain or improve Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) and to enhance EOC capacity through training and exercises, with funding of up to a maximum of $30,000. Applications will be accepted until February 27, 2026.
Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning – 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. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $40,000 in grant funding. Applications will be accepted until April 24, 2026.
2026 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports – The 2026 program materials are available now, with applications being accepted from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. 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.
Other Funding
Grants and Funding from the Government of Canada
Build Canada Homes – Build Canada Homes is accepting proposals to work with eligible applicants (including First Nations and local governments) to build and deliver affordable housing at scale. Initial investments will prioritize “shovel-ready” projects that can begin within 12 months.
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund – The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund provides funding to improve physical conditions for professional arts and heritage related collaboration, creation, presentation, preservation, and exhibition; and to increase and improve access for Canadians to arts and culture. Eligible applicants may submit an application for funding on an ongoing basis, but interested applicants must contact their regional office of the Department of Canadian Heritage prior to submitting an application.
NIDMAR: Disability Management Assessment and Subsidy – A Government of Canada grant that 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.
Canadian Heritage: Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program – Provides funding to eligible applicants for community-based events that promote intercultural or interfaith understanding, promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination, or celebrate a community’s history and culture such as heritage months recognized by Parliament. There is no established deadline date to submit a funding application as applications are accepted on a continuous basis. However, applications must be submitted at least 18 weeks prior to the proposed event start date.
Grants and Funding from the BC Government
2026 Community Event Support Fund – Coming Soon – The Province of BC will be launching a 2026 Community Event Support Fund to help communities throughout the province join the excitement of FIFA World Cup 26™. This time-limited fund will support vibrant, inclusive events that showcase BC’s diversity and spirit during the tournament. Information will be available in the coming days.
Civil Forfeiture Grant Program – This program provides annual, one-time funding to eligible applicants, including Indigenous governments and local governments, for the provision of crime prevention and remediation projects within BC. There are four streams open, with funding available up to $40,000: Crime Prevention, Gender Based Violence, Indigenous Healing, and Restorative Justice. The application deadline is December 15, 2025.
Aviation Infrastructure Funding – The BC Air Access Program is cost-share program supporting the infrastructure and environmental needs of airports, heliports, and water aerodromes. Funding is available to support airport upgrades throughout the province. Eligible applicants that operate an air facility that serves fewer than one million passengers annually can apply for up to $2 million and the application window for proposals is open until January 16, 2026.
Connecting Communities BC – Eligible applicants can apply for funding to support the expansion of high-speed internet in any area of the province, with a focus on specific areas that currently do not have access to internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. Applications are accepted until February 26, 2026.
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.
Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC – With funding provided by the Province of BC, eligible applicants in BC include Indigenous communities, local governments, improvement districts, etc. This stream will fund assessments, engineering studies, or plans that are required, often by law, before implementing on-ground infrastructure work and that will enhance the understanding of the operational and developmental limitations to the water supplies in the regions and/or watersheds, and which enable applicants to determine the appropriate type and scale of infrastructure required to achieve their project goals. Applications will be accepted first-come, first-served on a continual basis until funding is fully committed.
For Indigenous Recipients
Nation Building Grant – The Nation Building Grant (NBG) provides multi-year funding to BC First Nations and Tribal Councils to support self-determined priorities to strengthen governance structures, organizational capacity and community resilience. The application deadline is December 5, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. Funding is up to $60,000 for one-year and up to $120,000 for two-years, maximum of one project per Nation or Tribal Council per year.
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.
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.
For more information, contact SPARC BC.
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.
Island Coastal Economic Trust – DIVERSIFY: Capital and Innovation Program – Supports the development of a wide range of strategic economic development, diversification, and innovation initiatives. Funding streams include Business and Industry Support, Downtown Revitalization, Strategic Tourism Infrastructure, Destination Trails, Innovation Infrastructure and Innovation Support. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.
Events and Resources
LGMA 2026 CAO Forum – Offered by the Local Government Management Association of BC, the CAO Forum is an annual offering for local government chief administrative officers to connect, share experiences, and in-depth discussions on key topics impacting their work. The Forum will feature interactive, two-way discussions with speakers on subjects of interest to local governments. Registration is limited to CAOs, and appointed Deputy CAOs. CAO Forum sessions can be used towards Continuous Professional Learning credits. The 2026 Forum will be held in Richmond, BC, from February 17-19, 2026.
Electoral Area Directors’ Forum 2026 – The EAD Forum provides an opportunity to explore challenges common to electoral areas and identify potential solutions. The conference is open to electoral area directors and their alternates, regional district chairs and regional district staff. This year’s Forum has been moved from winter to early spring to improve travel conditions for those attending. It will be held in Richmond, BC from March 10-11, 2026.
LGLA Forum 2026 – The Local Government Leadership Academy’s annual forum brings together senior staff and elected officials from local governments and First Nations to explore innovative ways to collaborate and drive positive transformation. The forum will be held in Richmond, BC from March 11-13, 2026, immediately following the EA Directors’ Forum.
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.
Community Infrastructure, Climate and Equity: This free, two-hour, self-paced online course will help staff, senior management and elected officials in BC build a strong decision-making foundation by understanding how risk management, infrastructure conditions and long-term planning impact their ability to sustainably deliver community services while considering equity and climate challenges.
Leveraging your Asset Data: This online course will give anyone involved in public infrastructure the knowledge and tools to analyze, interpret and apply asset data effectively. Know what you have so you can plan for what you need. Learn how to build an asset registry, assess infrastructure conditions and use data-driven insights to improve long-term planning, budgeting and service reliability.