Local and Indigenous governments in B.C. are working hard to respond to the challenges that COVID has both created and highlighted within our communities. Now, with the launch of the 2022 PlanH Healthy Communities Grant Program, more funding and support is available to assist communities as they work to reconnect and build back better through more equitable policies and processes. The PlanH Healthy Communities Grant Program, administered by BC Healthy Communities, is offering grants for 2022 across two funding streams: Community Connectedness and Healthy Public Policy.
The Community Connectedness funding stream offers approximately 20 grants of up to $5,000 each, as well as support from BC Healthy Communities staff, for projects that foster relationship-building among community members and create long-lasting social networks. The Healthy Public Policy stream offers approximately 10 grants of up to $15,000 each, as well as support from BC Healthy Communities staff, for projects that seek to develop new or amend existing policy in order to improve the health and well-being of community members. This year for the first time, through a partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH), we are pleased to be able to offer 15 additional grants in the Healthy Public Policy Stream for projects in the VCH region. Projects for both streams must use an equity lens to ensure their outcomes benefit those who have historically been excluded from local decision-making processes, or whose needs have not been adequately met by existing policies and programs. Applications close June 1.
The grants are funded through the PlanH program, a partnership between BC Healthy Communities Society and the BC Ministry of Health. Learn more about the grants and apply at planh.ca/grants.