Nicola Valley First Nations can apply for new grant stream

First Nations throughout B.C. can now apply for funding to promote well-being, improve quality of life for community members on and off reserve, and find solutions to poverty in their communities.

“As part of TogetherBC, B.C.’s poverty reduction strategy, the First Nations Well Being Fund is aimed at promoting wellness and reducing poverty in First Nations communities,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “I would encourage all B.C. First Nations to apply.”

The First Nations Public Service Secretariat, an initiative of the First Nations Summit, is administering the fund, which was created with a $2.7-million grant from the Province.

Funding is offered through two streams: community projects and planning. The community projects stream provides up to $35,000 for a single First Nation, $70,000 for two First Nations and $105,000 for regional applications of three or more partnering First Nations.

Local projects in the community projects stream may include food security initiatives, training, building skills and employment opportunities, cultural initiatives to strengthen community and support decolonization, and other initiatives to promote well-being in the community or First Nation.

The planning stream provides $25,000 for one First Nation, $50,000 for two First Nations or $80,000 for a regional application involving three or more partnering First Nations. Planning can include community engagement to develop a plan or begin discussions on a plan to help promote well-being and reduce poverty at the community or Nation level.

All B.C. First Nations are eligible to apply for funding. Partnering First Nations are also eligible to apply.