City Offers Grants and Training to Build Strong Neighbourhoods

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Applications are now open for two annual City of Victoria programs that empower residents to build strong neighbourhoods. My Great Neighbourhood Grant funding is available for community projects and events that support vibrant and resilient communities and the Local Champions program offers training to become more engaged in planning neighbourhood projects.

“It’s exciting to see what’s possible when our residents have the funding and skills to bring community projects to life,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. “It’s this resident-led work that helps build neighbourly, experiential connections. Projects like this create a rich sense of place and lend themselves to joyful celebrations, while also making communities more resilient in challenging times.”

More than $140,000 in My Great Neighbourhood Grant funding is available in 2024. Residents and community groups can apply for up to $7,500 for placemaking and community resilience projects, and up to $1,500 for events and activities. Grant applications will be reviewed monthly until October 31.

Residents can also apply for Local Champions, a community-based leadership development program where 24 participants will gain the skills, confidence and connections to become more active and engaged in planning neighbourhood-led projects and activities. The six-part course valued at $2,500 is being offered for $250. A limited number of spaces are fully funded, with five of these reserved for climate action projects to encourage energy efficient homes. An online information session will take place on February 8. Local Champions applications close on Sunday, March 3 at midnight.

“Local Champions exceeded my expectations in all ways,” said Andrea Klassen, a 2023 Local Champions graduate. “After being a stay-at-home mom for seven years and returning to Victoria, this program connected me with mentors and like-minded people. As a result of this training, I got a part-time job doing meaningful work as a Neighbourhood Association Coordinator and my mentors are now my colleagues.”

Since launching the My Great Neighbourhood Grant program in 2016, the City has invested over $1 million in more than 300 projects. 38 Local Champions completed their training in the first two years of the program and have since brought My Great Neighbourhood Grant projects to life.

Both programs directly support Council’s strategic priority of community well-being and safety.

For more information about My Great Neighbourhood Grants and the Local Champions program, please visit victoria.ca/neighbourhoods

Media Contact:
Colleen Mycroft

Manager, Intergovernmental and Media Relations
250.896.5325
| cmycroft@victoria.ca