Do you have an idea for a project that promotes staying healthy where you live, work, learn, or play? Northern Health is taking applications to provide funding up to $5,000 for grassroots projects that will improve the health of community members across northern B.C.
IMAGINE Community Grants provide funding to community organizations, service agencies, First Nations organizations, schools, municipalities, regional districts, and other partners with projects that make northern communities healthier.
Some examples of the success of the granting program are available here: http://goo.gl/eTmDUL
“Many local governments, community groups, schools, First Nations organizations, and other community stakeholders are leaders and promoters of healthy living,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “These groups play a pivotal role in developing communities that promote health, prevent injury, and prevent chronic disease, and they’re a unique way to work towards our shared priorities of healthy eating, tobacco cessation, mental wellness, and active living.”
Aligning with the Healthy Families BC Policy Framework, IMAGINE grants fund projects with a focus on one or more of the following areas:
•Healthy eating and food security
•Physical activity and active living
•Injury prevention
•Tobacco-free communities
•Positive mental health
•Prevention of substance harms
•Healthy early childhood development
•Healthy aging
“Community granting is part of Northern Health’s unique approach to supporting grassroots community-led health promotion efforts in northern communities where partners can drive locally designed projects,” said Dr. Sandra Allison, Northern Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer. “My recent Health Status Report on Child Health points to the role of partnerships and collaborations in addressing the health challenges in our region, and the IMAGINE Community Grants offer an opportunity to build these partnerships and breathe life into northerners’ unique health promotion ideas.”
Applicants can apply for funding of up to $5,000 for each project. Preference will be given to projects that encourage different community groups to work together, address something that is missing in the community, help those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable, develop skills and resources in the community, and feature a plan to live on in the community after the funding ends.
Grant information and application forms are available on Northern Health’s IMAGINE Grants website. Information can also be obtained via e-mail at imagine.grants@northernhealth.ca or by phone at 250-565-2131.
Applications are being accepted from September 19, 2016, to October 31, 2016.
This is the second call for applications of 2016. The first round of funding awarded over $340,000 to 91 projects in 46 communities across northern B.C. in April.