Public spaces are a big part of what makes communities safe, vibrant, and connected. They enable a feeling of belonging, places where we return to in work and play, and where we make new connections.
Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation is participating in the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI), a new $31 million investment from the Government of Canada that will support communities as they adapt public spaces for the new realities of the pandemic.
The pandemic has altered our use of public spaces. Communities and individuals have come up with many creative solutions to allow new ways to access public spaces while working within the public health guidelines, such as social distancing and mask-wearing.
Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) and Canadian Urban Institute are partnering to deliver the new Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI). This Government of Canada investment is to support communities as they adapt public spaces to respond to ongoing needs of the pandemic in the next two years.
CHCI will help communities respond to immediate needs caused by the pandemic, and help with recovery programs.
This funding will support local projects to adapt public infrastructure to COVID-19. Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation will allocate $970,000 for projects on Vancouver Island and Northern BC, ranging from $5000-$250,000, that:
- create safe and vibrant public spaces,
- improve mobility options and/or
- provide innovative digital solutions to connect people and improve health.
Applications are being received until March 9, 2021.
Funding recipients will be notified by April 15, 2021 with payments issued by April 30, 2021.
Have Questions? Please call or email PQCF for more information.
Projects must:
- respond to identified needs arising from impacts of COVID-19;
- create and adapt public spaces, and programming and services for public spaces in the public interest;
- engage the community;
- serve and be accessible to the public and/or a community disproportionately impacted by COVID-19; and,
- fall within the three CHCI theme areas.
Who is Eligible to Apply for CHCI?
- Municipalities and local or regional governments
- Municipally-owned corporations
- Indigenous governing bodies, including a band council, a First Nation, Inuit or Metis government, or Tribal council
- Federally or provincially incorporated not-for-profits
CHCI Themes:
1) Safe & vibrant public spaces
- Community projects that create and adapt public spaces, and programming and services for public spaces that improves open spaces, parks, commercial main streets, and access to other amenities
- Community projects that adapt public spaces to meet public health guidance
2) Improved mobility options
- Community projects that deliver a range of transportation and mobility options or adaptations that permit physical distancing through solutions that increase safe social connectivity, walkability, bike-ability and access to public transit
- Community projects that improve pedestrian and cyclist safety through roadway, sidewalk or crosswalk improvements and adaptations
3) Digital solutions
- Community projects that provide digital solutions that use data and technology in innovative ways to connect people and improve health.
- Community projects that use digital technologies and solutions to encourage citizen engagement, use open data, online platforms or physical digital devices for public benefit.
