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
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.
Community Emergency Preparedness Fund: Upcoming intake deadlines for CEPF funding streams:
- Evacuation Route Planning - November 6, 2020
- Structural Flood Mitigation – November 20, 2020 (Date was extended)
- Emergency Support Services - January 29, 2021
- Flood Risk Assessment, Flood Mapping and Flood Mitigation Planning - February 26, 2021
- Emergency Operations Centres and Training - March 26, 2021
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. The final intake deadline for the 2020/21 fiscal year is 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.
Other Funding
CleanBC Communities Fund: The Canadian and BC governments have committed up to $47 million towards a second intake of the Green Infrastructure - CleanBC Communities Fund (CCF) to support cost-sharing of infrastructure projects in communities across the Province. This intake is designed to target projects starting in 2021 or 2022. These projects will focus on the management of renewable energy, access to clean-energy transportation, improved energy efficiency of buildings and the generation of clean energy. Application deadline is November 12, 2020.
Active School Travel Pilot Program: BC Healthy Communities wants to support more students to use active modes of travel (walk, wheel, cycle, scooter) to and from school. This pilot will test the feasibility and applicability of existing evidence-based Active School Travel Programs in a small cohort of B.C. school communities from November 2020 –December 2021. Application deadline is November 15th, 2020.
Rapid Housing Initiative: CMHC has launched the Rapid Housing Initiative, a $1 billion program to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians, through the rapid construction of up to 3,000 new affordable housing units. This includes the construction of modular housing, the acquisition of land, and the conversion / rehabilitation of existing buildings to affordable housing. Application deadline for the Projects Stream is December 31, 2020.
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.
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.
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.
Infrastructure Planning Grant Program: The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing offers grants up to $10,000 to help local governments plan, design and manage sustainable infrastructure.
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.
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Northern Development recently launched Trust 2020, a suite of community development programs, which include Community Places, Cultural Infrastructure, Economic Infrastructure, Main Street Revitalization Planning, Main Street Revitalization Capital, and Recreation Infrastructure.
First Nations Adapt Program: This federal program supports First Nations 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.
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
Symposium: Understanding Risk British Columbia: This online, collaborative symposium and event series will foster place-based risk reduction strategies to proactively enhance resilience and improve disaster recovery pathways in BC. Over 20 online events will connect participants to conversations about disaster risk reduction and building resilience in BC. Events take place from September 6 - November 24, 2020.
Webinar - Building Equity Using Nature-Based Solutions: This webinar will explore the intersections between equity, green infrastructure, climate action, and human health and well-being and ways to incorporate equity into climate and community planning. November 10, 2020.
Symposium - Watershed Moments, the Video Trilogy Series: The Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC has adapted it’s 2020 Third Annual Symposium to a virtual format. This year’s theme is “Actionable Visions for Reconnecting Hydrology and Ecology in an Altered Landscape.” This will be an interactive symposium delivered via YouTube on November 19, November 26 and December 3.
Webinar - How Can We Use a Health Crisis to Create Healthier, More Resilient Communities? The Fraser Basin Council’s recorded webinar features presentations by Jade Yehia and Dr. Shannon Waters. The webinar is part of the FBC’s BC Regional Adaptation Collaborative Program, which aims to strengthen regional capacity and increase action to advance climate preparedness planning and implementation.
Webinar - Reconciliation in a Time of Uncertainty: Dr. Robert Joseph, Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, explored the impacts of COVID-19 on reconciliation in Canada and the opportunities emerging from this crisis of working and being together in this recorded webinar.
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 our engagements online. They can provide a virtual gathering with our inspiring speaker to help engage reconciliation in a meaningful way.
The State of the Economy in Northern BC: This issue of Northern Dispatch asks the question, ”how has COVID-19 impacted the economy in Northern B.C.?”
Webinar - Advancing Your Asset Management Practices: If you missed this recent Asset Management BC webinar, you can now view the recording. Meet our speakers and learn more about how this unique training program will benefit you.
Rapid Action Resources for Local Governments - Community Food Production: Over the coming months, PlanH will be releasing a series of Rapid Action Resources to provide local governments with an understanding of the equity considerations around various aspects of food security, as well as examples of good practices in food security from other local governments in the province.
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.
Wildfire Management in BC Community Forests: Research for this just-released report was begun following the unprecedented BC wildfires of 2017 and 2018. BC Community Forest Perspectives and Engagement in Wildfire Management 2020 Report.
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.