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:
Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training – The ESS stream supports eligible applicants to build local capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment, retention and training, including in-house training and essential ESS equipment purchasing. Available funding is up to $30,000. Applications will be accepted until November 14, 2025.
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 – This program supports 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 helping Indigenous communities during emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The grant maximum is up to $30,000. Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2026.
Next Generation 911 – The NG911 program supports 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. Funding in the amount of $60 million has been provided by the Province of BC. Applications will be accepted until February 13, 2026.
Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training – This stream supports 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 – This funding stream supports 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 25, 2026.
2026 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports –2026 program materials are available now. This 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 will be accepted from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
Local Government Development Approvals – A third intake of the Local Government Development Approvals program (LGDAP) has been announced. LGDAP supports the implementation of established best practices and innovative approaches to improve development approvals processes. Program materials will be available later this fall and the application deadline will follow in 2026.
Other Funding
Grants and funding from the Government of Canada
NIDMAR: Disability Management Assessment and Subsidy – Provides free workplace disability management assessments and up to $7,500 through an improvement subsidy to enhance processes to 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.
Grants and funding from the BC Government
HMA: Infrastructure Planning Grant – This program supports projects related to the development of sustainable community infrastructure. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to help local governments develop or improve long-term comprehensive plans including, but not limited to; asset management plans, integrated stormwater management plans, water master plans, liquid waste management plans. Local governments can apply to this year-round funding program. Applications are processed on a regular basis.
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 – This stream funds assessments, engineering studies, or plans that are required 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. Eligible applicants in BC include Indigenous communities, local governments, improvement districts, etc. Applications will be accepted first-come, first-served on a continual basis until funding is fully committed.
For Indigenous recipients
Nation Building Grant – The 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. 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. The application deadline is December 5, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.
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. 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.
Canadian Heritage: Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives – The 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.
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 & 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.