Canada Healthy Communities Initiative
The Healthy Communities Initiative is a $31 million investment from the Government of Canada to transform public spaces in response to COVID-19.
Public spaces are the glue to our communities: they enable a feeling of belonging, of social cohesion and encourage our sense of collective identity. COVID-19 has seriously constrained our access and use of these spaces in communities across Canada. Impacts of the virus have also been extraordinarily uneven, underscoring inequalities across communities and disproportionately impacting those who are already experiencing vulnerability as a result of systemic inequalities.
In the face of these challenges, communities have been extraordinarily resourceful and resilient in improvising temporary and longer-lasting solutions to the challenges of COVID-19. Many are undertaking work for immediate needs but also thinking about how to build pandemic-resilient spaces for the future. We are seeing new digital solutions, that allow people and communities to feel connected, safe and healthy all while respecting public health measures and norms such as physical distancing and mask-wearing.
The Healthy Communities Initiative will provide funding to a broad range of organizations, including local governments, charities, Indigenous communities and nonprofits, for projects, programming and services that help communities :
- create safe and vibrant public spaces,
- improve mobility options and
- provide innovative digital solutions to connect people and improve health.
Applications for Round 1 are now closed. We have received a significant volume of applications for the first round of the Healthy Communities Initiative. Reviews are currently underway and the timeline has been extended to ensure that all applications are given due consideration.
All applicants will receive results by May 14, 2021.
The application portal will reopen on May 14, 2021, at 9:00 AM AST for Round 2 and applications must be submitted by June 25, 2021, at 5:00 PM PST.
Watch a community mobilization session
Simple Ways To Create Vibrant Safe Spaces or Adapt Public Places and Programming During a Pandemic
Maintaining a Healthy Sense of Community in Indigenous Communities During a Pandemic
Simple Ideas To Improve The Ways We Get Places During a Pandemic
Creating safe and lively public spaces to improve mobility options
How to Write a Funding Application: Tips for First Time Applicants
Digital Solutions 101: Community digital solutions ideas to support people during a pandemic
Learn more about the CHCI partners
The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative partners are experts in building vibrant, equitable and livable public spaces and include: the Canadian Urban Institute, 880 Cities, Park People, Vivre en Ville, MaRS, Canadian CED Network, ICLEI, the National Association of Friendship Centres and Jay Pitter Placemaking.
