Creating Healthy Public Policy relies on partnerships and teamwork. Local and Indigenous governments and other organizations are joining forces to tackle community challenges share resources, collaborate on events and implement joint planning initiatives. As these communities and allies unite to share insights, they build significant relationships and incorporate Indigenous viewpoints into community planning and decision-making processes.
In a one-hour webinar, SFU Assistant Professor Dr. Kiffer Card, a behavioural epidemiologist, social ecologist, and health services researcher, examines how socio-ecological forces relate to mental health, stigmatized behaviour and health inequalities. Caz (Carolyn) Beaumont and Jay Myers – both from the Village of Daajing Giids – shared their experience working in this small, coastal BC community.
A one-hour info session outlining details on how to apply for PlanH 2023 Grants. PlanH Delivery Lead Connie Allsopp and BCHC Executive Director Jodi Mucha explain the application process and answer questions from attendees.
2023 Healthy Public Policy Grants
The application window for this grant stream is open from March 1-May 15, 2023.
For information on other funding opportunities for communities in B.C., visit our Other Funding Opportunities page.
The PlanH Healthy Communities grants support Indigenous and local governments in B.C. as they work with health authorities and other partners to collectively create conditions that enable healthy people and healthy places.
For 2023, one of the PlanH Healthy Communities grant streams focuses on Healthy Public Policy. These grants support communities as they take multi-sectoral action to create, adopt, amend or evaluate public policy through a health equity lens in order to create long-term positive health and well-being outcomes for community members. Complete the online application located here.
Important Dates:
May 15, 2023, 11:59 PST: Application Due Date
June 2023: Notification of successful applicants
September 2023–September 2024: Project takes place
October 1, 2024: Deadline for delivery of final project report
Download and complete the budget and workplan using our template.
Download and review the application questions (PDF, Word) to prepare.
Optional: Gather any supporting documents you wish to submit. (A letter of support from your regional health authority or the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is recommended but not required. Written letters of support are suggested as a demonstration of existing partnerships.)
Complete the online application using theapplication webform. (If you experience difficulties using the webform, please contact us at grants@planh.ca.)
Application Guide
A step-by-step guide for completing the PlanH Healthy Public Policy Grant application is available here.
Healthy Public Policy Grants
Grants of up to $15,000 each plus in-kind supports are available for local and Indigenous governments working with health authorities and other partners to better understand priority areas and local needs and to enhance a sense of belonging within local community. Through a partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH), we are pleased to be able to offer additional grants in the Healthy Public Policy Stream for projects in the VCH region.
Opportunity
Maximum grant amount available: up to $15,000
Access to resources and supports from BC Healthy Communities staff (see application guide for more details)
Eligibility
The following government organizations are eligible to apply:
First Nations Bands
First Nations Tribal Councils
Métis Chartered Communities
Municipalities
Regional Districts
Self-Governing First Nations
The following organizations are not eligible to apply as a primary applicant:
Community Groups
For-profit Groups
Health Authorities
Hospital Foundations
Individuals
Non-profit Organizations
School Districts
This opportunity could be for you if you:
Represent an Indigenous or local government
Have community partners who share your interest in developing a broad policy framework
You have a relationship with either your regional health authority (Northern Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, or Fraser Health) or FNHA. If you don’t have an existing relationship with FNHA or the health authority in your region, let us know, and we can help connect you.
This funding encourages multi-sectoral partnerships. We suggest that ineligible organizations contact eligible organizations to discuss collaborating on a project.
Eligible local and Indigenous governments who are working in partnership with their health authority and other sectors and who are interested in applying should read the application guidelines thoroughly.
Criteria
Projects will be assessed on the eligibility of applicant and proposed expenses, and connection between project activities and objectives stated in the application guide. PlanH grants will not support work or projects that exploit any individual or groups. Communities are encouraged to reach out to grants@planh.ca to learn about the grant-making process and decision criteria or to set up a call.
The Healthy Public Policy grant stream supports projects that:
Demonstrate multi-sectoral partnerships. Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate collaboration with a range of diverse community stakeholders and health authorities through letters of support or written partnership agreements.
Incorporate Equity. Equity is the fair distribution of opportunities, power and resources to meet the needs of all people, regardless of age, ability, gender or background. Applying an equity lens means asking who will benefit from a policy, program, initiative or service, but also who may be excluded from the benefits and why.
Use upstream interventions and strategies that focus on improving fundamental social, physical and economic environments in order to decrease barriers and improve supports that allow people to achieve their full health potential.
Are sustainable and build healthy communities that last beyond the duration of the grant period.
Links and Partnerships
Identification of key partners and stakeholders is required. Applications that demonstrate collaborative relationships with multiple organizations are in place will be prioritized. Additional partners and collaborations may be further developed as part of the project.
Reporting
Our team will schedule an onboarding call with Healthy Public Policy grant recipients to introduce ourselves and determine how we can best support your team. All grant recipients will be required to complete a final report at the end of the project. The questions in the final report are similar to the application form. Final report templates will be emailed to all successful grant recipients in September. You can find examples of final reports from previous years on the PlanH Grants FAQ.
Our team is committed to incorporating culturally safe practices into our evaluation approaches. We will strive to co-create relevant learning and reflection tools in partnership with communities whenever possible.
Communications Guidance
We ask that projects funded through the PlanH Healthy Communities grants include written acknowledgment of funding in materials produced as a result of PlanH. This includes publicity, conferences, meeting presentations, printed pieces or any other materials that are public and promotional in nature. Guidance on how to acknowledge PlanH Healthy Communities grants will be available on this page after the grants are awarded.
Use this quick start reference sheet to help you and your team consider where to enter the policy process, the type of influence or change you want to achieve and to provide examples of indicators for policy influence or change. Ideally, this quick reference guide is for individuals and/or organizations who are engaged in research, policy analysis or inquiry, and advocacy that work towards healthy public policies and healthy communities.
The application window for this grant stream is open from March 1–May 15, 2023.
For information on other funding opportunities for communities in B.C., visit our Other Funding Opportunities page.
Canadians with a strong sense of community belonging are over twice as likely to report good health compared to those who have a weak or very weak sense of community.1 A connected community is a place where people know their neighbours, build relationships with others and contribute to the creation of social networks that last over time. This requires opportunities for people to gather in person or virtually, create connections and get involved. Connected communities support strong citizen engagement.
Local and Indigenous governments play a role in fostering social connectedness by creating strong social environments that help all community members thrive. Central to these strong social environments is a focus on equity—ensuring that the needs and input of those whose voices are often less-heard-from in the community are prioritized at all stages of a project or initiative.
The PlanH Healthy Communities grants support Indigenous and local governments in B.C. as they work with health authorities and other partners to collectively create conditions that enable healthy people and healthy places.
For 2023, one of the PlanH Healthy Communities grant streams focuses on Community Connectedness. These grants support communities as they take multi-sectoral action to explore, learn, and innovate, enhancing community cohesion and sense of belonging. Complete the online application located here.
Important Dates:
May 15, 2023, 11:59 PM PST: Application due date
June 2023: Notification of successful applicants
September 2023–September 2024: Project takes place
October 1, 2024: Deadline for delivery of final project report
Download and complete the budget and workplan using our template.
Download and review the application questions (PDF, Word) to prepare.
Optional: Gather any supporting documents you wish to submit. (A letter of support from your regional health authority or the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is recommended but not required. Written letters of support are suggested as a demonstration of existing partnerships.)
Complete the online application using the application webform. (If you experience difficulties using the webform, please contact us at grants@planh.ca.)
Application Guide
A step-by-step guide for completing the PlanH Community Connectedness Grant application is available here.
Community Connectedness Grants
Grants of up to $5,000 each are available for Indigenous and local governments working with health authorities and other partners to better understand priority areas and local needs and to enhance a sense of belonging within the local community.
Opportunity
Maximum grant amount available: up to $5,000
Access to resources and supports from BC Healthy Communities staff (see Section 4.5 of the application guide for more details)
Eligibility
The following government organizations are eligible to apply:
First Nations Bands
First Nations Tribal Councils
Métis Chartered Communities
Municipalities
Regional Districts
Self-Governing First Nations
The following organizations are not eligible to apply as a primary applicant:
Community Groups
For-profit Groups
Health Authorities
Hospital Foundations
Individuals
Non-profit Organizations
School Districts
This opportunity could be for you if you:
Represent an Indigenous or local government
Have community partners who share your interest in developing a broad policy framework
Have a relationship with either your regional health authority (Northern Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, or Fraser Health) or FNHA. If you don’t have an existing relationship with FNHA or the health authority in your region, let us know, and we can help connect you.
This funding encourages multi-sectoral partnerships. We suggest that ineligible organizations contact eligible organizations to discuss collaborating on a project.
Eligible Indigenous and local governments who are working in partnership with their health authority and other sectors and who are interested in applying should read the application guidelines thoroughly.
Criteria
Projects will be assessed on the eligibility of the applicant and proposed expenses, and the connection between project activities and objectives stated in the application guide. PlanH grants will not support work or projects that exploit any individual or group.
Communities are encouraged to reach out to grants@planh.ca to learn about the grant-making process and decision criteria or to set up a call.
The Community Connectedness grant stream supports projects that:
Demonstrate multi-sectoral partnerships. Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate collaboration with a range of diverse community stakeholders and health authorities through letters of support or written partnership agreements.
Incorporate Equity. Equity is the fair distribution of opportunities, power and resources to meet the needs of all people, regardless of age, ability, gender or background. Applying an equity lens means asking who will benefit from a policy, program, initiative or service, but also who may be excluded from the benefits and why.
Use upstream interventions and strategies that focus on improving fundamental social, physical and economic environments in order to decrease barriers and improve supports that allow people to achieve their full health potential.
Are sustainable and build healthy communities that last beyond the duration of the grant period.
Links and Partnerships
Identification of key partners and stakeholders is required. Applications that demonstrate collaborative relationships with multiple organizations are in place will be prioritized. Additional partners and collaborations may be further developed as part of the project.
Project Learning & Reflection Process
Onboarding
Community Connectedness grant recipients may request an onboarding and/or strategy call at any time. However, these calls are not required.
Reporting
All grant recipients will be required to complete a final report at the end of the project. The questions in the final report are similar to the application form. Final report templates will be emailed to all successful grant recipients in September. You can find examples of final reports from previous years on the PlanH Grants FAQ.
Our team is committed to incorporating culturally safe practices into our evaluation approaches. We will strive to co-create relevant learning and reflection tools in partnership with communities whenever possible.
Communications Guidance
We ask that projects funded through the PlanH Healthy Communities grants include written acknowledgment of funding in materials produced as a result of PlanH. This includes publicity, conferences, meeting presentations, printed pieces or any other materials that are public and promotional in nature. Guidance on how to acknowledge PlanH Healthy Communities grants will be available on this page after the grants are awarded.
The Local Government Leaders Speaker Series on Creating Healthy Public Policy is supported by PlanH, a collaboration between BC Healthy Communities Society and the BC Ministry of Health.
In collaboration with partners in communities across the province, BC Healthy Communities (BCHC) is continuing its speaker series to bring fresh ideas for healthy public policy to local and Indigenous government leaders in B.C. Healthy public policy is a powerful tool for local governments to meaningfully improve the lives of their constituents.
Local and Indigenous governments across the province have been awarded $330,000 in grants and additional customized supports in 2022 through the PlanH program for 34 projects that improve community connection and create healthier public policies. PlanH is a partnership of BC Healthy Communities Society (BCHC), the Ministry of Health, and the Provincial Health Services Authority
