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
provide innovative digital solutions
The application portal will open for Round 2 on May 14, 2021, at 9:00 AM AST. Applications must be submitted by June 25, 2021, at 5:00 PM PST. Applicants who did not receive funding in round one may re-apply to round two but will not be guaranteed funding. Review committees will start meeting on July 23rd, 2021 and all applicants will receive results by September 16th, 2021, at the latest.
Healthy Communities Initiative: Round 1 Results
See the interactive map and dive into the projects taking place in your community.
Sign up community mobilization session
May 18: How to Apply to the Healthy Communities Initiative
May 20: Getting to Yes and! How Municipalities can work with community partners
May 25: How to design equitable digital solutions with Black and other equity-seeking communities
May 28: Coming Together: Maintaining a Healthy Sense of Community in Indigenous Communities During a Pandemic
June 1: Simple Ways To Create Vibrant Safe Spaces or Adapt Public Places and Programming During a Pandemic
June 8: How to Write a Funding Application: Tips for First Time Applicants
June 10: Creating safe and vibrant public spaces: Some ideas to guide you!
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, Network for the Advancement of Black Communities, the National Association of Friendship Centres and Jay Pitter Placemaking.
