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UBCM: Funding & resources update

Press Release

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 include:

  • 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

Poverty Reduction: The intent of the Poverty Reduction Planning & Action Program is to support local governments in reducing poverty at the local level and to support the Province’s poverty reduction strategy. The intake deadline is March 5, 2021.

Other Funding

National Disaster Mitigation Program: The NDMP is a multi-million-dollar cost sharing program designed to build safer and more resilient communities throughout Canada. The program addresses rising flood risks and costs and builds the foundation for informed mitigation investments that could reduce, or negate, the effects of flood events. Applications are accepted until January 7, 2021.

PICS Internship Program: PICS internships support the hiring of university students at the workplaces of British Columbia governments, NGOs, industry, and communities that are pursuing climate change mitigation and adaptation research, planning, or implementation. PICS will provide $12,000 to BC provincial, regional, and local governments, and BC-based non-governmental agencies, indigenous communities, private companies, and Crown corporations to hire a student intern for a minimum of 13 weeks. Eligible students must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at one of the four PICS partner institutions: UVIC, UBC, SFU, or UNBC.  Applications are accepted until January 11, 2021.

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.

NDIT Internship Programs: This program supports northern B.C. communities to increase capacity by welcoming recent graduates into the world of First Nations or local government. Placing skilled people in communities throughout Northern Development’s service region benefits both the host community and the intern. The deadline for First Nations or local governments to apply to host an intern is January 8, 2021. The deadline for recent post-secondary students to apply to be an intern through either the Local Government or First Nations Government internship program is February 12, 2021.

Okanagan Basin Water Board – Water Conservation and Quality Improvement:
The OBWB is accepting applications to its Water Conservation and Quality Improvement grant program. With $350,000 available, applicants that meet the program criteria can receive between $3,000 and $30,000 for projects which occur within the Okanagan Basin. Eligible applicants include Okanagan local governments and First Nations, irrigation districts, and non-profit organizations. The application deadline is February 26, 2021.

Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program: MCIP is a five-year, $75-million program that helps municipalities prepare for, and adapt to, climate change, and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada, MCIP is available to all municipalities and their partners. Applications are accepted until March 15, 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.

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

Local FireSmart Representative Workshops: BC FireSmart is now offering LFR training as a virtual workshop, available at no cost, in two consecutive half-day sessions. The course assists community leaders and fire professionals to implement all components of the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program and equips participants with an understanding of current Wildland Urban Interface concepts, wildfire hazard assessments and the tools and skills necessary to recruit and motivate volunteer community leaders. All existing LFRs will need to recertify under this new course. FireSmart 101 is a prerequisite: see the link at this BC FireSmart web page. Workshops dates are January 20-21, January 27-28, February 10-11, 2021 and April 21-22, 2021.

Promoting Salmon Resilience in a Changing Climate: Salmon populations in the Fraser River have seen drastic declines in recent years, and there are many people working to assist these populations in recovering. This webinar will look at how salmon are being affected by climate change and other compounding issues, work that is being done on-the-ground to increase the resilience of salmon in a changing climate, and the importance of ensuring that salmon and their health are integrated into decision-making surrounding waterways.

Watershed Moments, the Video Trilogy Series: The Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC has adapted its 2020 Third Annual Symposium to a virtual format. This year’s theme is “Actionable Visions for Reconnecting Hydrology and Ecology in an Altered Landscape.”

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.

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.?”

Advancing Your Asset Management Practice: 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.

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