Community groups working to reduce poverty and help people find jobs can now apply for a Building Vibrant Communities grant.
The program is accepting grant applications until midnight on July 12.
This is the second year for the grant program, which is part of government’s four-year poverty reduction commitment.
Eligible applicants include community organizations, First Nations communities, registered charities, municipalities, social enterprises and private-sector businesses if they partner with non-profit organizations. Funding is available for up to $50,000 per project and organizations may submit more than one application for different projects. A total of $1 million is available this year.
The Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the Department of Community Services are working together to provide these grants for projects that meet one of four poverty reduction themes this year:
— economic inclusion: includes initiatives that support Nova Scotians who are able to work in securing and retaining employment, and help reduce barriers to employment, and add supports
— housing: initiatives that address homelessness or increase opportunities for Nova Scotians to access affordable housing
— children: initiatives that contribute to prevention and intervention and facilitate opportunities for them to learn and live free from the stress of poverty.
— mental health and addictions: initiatives that improve access to supports people need to care for their mental well-being and recover from addiction.
Last year 49 projects were funded through these grants.
The application and program guidelines are available at: https://cch.novascotia.ca/building-vibrant-communities-grant
For a list of last year’s grant recipients, visit https://cch.novascotia.ca/building-vibrant-communities-grant , or https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwLZ9YtgHtLC-CB47lF1xSjR3tzEySZyS .