Applications Open for Community Network Grant Program

Press Release

September 11, 2025

The Province is calling for applications for projects that aim to address systemic hate, inequity and racism.

A total of up to $400,000 in funding is available through the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism’s Community Network Grant program.

“We’ve funded a number of excellent community-driven initiatives over the past two years that empower Nova Scotians to challenge hate, reduce barriers and strengthen equity across the province,” said Attorney General and Justice Minister Becky Druhan, Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism. “I look forward to seeing the new projects that come forward this year.”

To be eligible, registered non-profit and charitable organizations and their projects must have a primary mandate and objectives related to equity and anti-racism. The program supports a wide range of projects, including education, cultural programming, community and capacity building, research and community engagement.

Grants of up to $40,000 per project are available. The application period opened today, September 11, and the deadline is October 31.

Quotes:

“I genuinely believe that this grant fills an important gap within the non-profit sector by allowing a variety of organizations to explore innovative and community-led projects. With funding from the Community Network Grant program, we were able to create a strategic work plan to preserve land of historical importance in the rural African Nova Scotian community of Weymouth Falls.”
— Shekara Grant, President, Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust, a 2023-24 grant recipient

Quick Facts:

• the 2024–2025 Community Network Grant program awarded $400,000 in grants to 11 community organizations working to address systemic hate, inequity and racism
• since the program’s inception in 2023, almost $700,000 in grants have been provided
• the program is a key tool in advancing Nova Scotia’s Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy
• underrepresented and underserved groups include Mi’kmaw and other people of Indigenous descent, African Nova Scotians, people of African descent, people with disabilities, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, newcomers (immigrants or refugees), minority faith-based groups and people who are neurodivergent

Additional Resources:

More information about the OEA Community Network and applying for a grant is available at: https://www.oeaengagement.ca/oea-community-network

News release – 2024-25 Community Network Grant program recipients: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/03/18/grants-address-systemic-hate-inequity-racism

Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy: https://novascotia.ca/just/publications/docs/equity-and-anti-racism-strategy.pdf

Dismantling Racism and Hate Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/dismantling%20racism%20and%20hate.pdf

Office of Equity and Anti-Racism: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/equity-and-anti-racism-initiatives

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