Indigenous communities help drive record PlanH grant applications
A record number of applications poured in for the 2025 PlanH Healthy Communities Grant Program, with more Indigenous communities than ever before among the successful recipients. This year, a total of $250,000 in funding will be allocated to support projects that strengthen healthy communities across the province.
“It is so wonderful to see so many people working together to build healthier communities,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “The projects that the PlanH grants support are doing great work promoting preventative health, helping people connect with traditional wellness models and ensuring that health and wellness are prioritized in ways that serve local communities.”
BC Healthy Communities received over 70 applications this year from across all health authority regions, representing First Nations governments, Métis Chartered Communities, municipalities and regional districts. From those, 31 projects were selected through two streams: Community Connectedness and Healthy Public Policy.
The Community Connectedness stream will support 16 projects with $5,000 each, helping communities strengthen social ties and create a greater sense of belonging. The Healthy Public Policy stream will provide 16 grants of up to $15,000 each, supporting policies that improve well-being and foster healthier public environments. Four of these Healthy Public Policy projects will be supported by Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for communities in the area.
Indigenous participation was particularly strong this year. Of the 31 successful projects, 11 are led by First Nations governments and three by Métis Chartered Communities. Nearly two-thirds of the funded projects (18) are located in rural areas.
“Communities across BC are showing incredible leadership in tackling the challenges of connection, inclusion, and health through innovative projects,” said BC Healthy Communities Executive Director Vanessa Manuel. “We are especially encouraged to see so many First Nations and Métis communities bringing forward initiatives that reflect local priorities and strengths.”
Grant funding was distributed widely across the province:
- Interior Health led with eight successful grants
- Island Health communities received seven grants
- Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions each received six grants
- Northern Health received four grants
- First Nations Health Authority communities received eight grants
Projects supported in this round will range from initiatives that build inclusive gathering spaces to those that embed health equity into local planning and policy. Examples include initiatives to improve community food security, ensure equitable access to recreation services and involve, train and empower youth for community-connectedness grants. Examples specific to Healthy Public Policy grants include reviews or updates of local policies and practices.
The PlanH program also provides tools, resources and capacity-building support to communities, such as workshops, webinars and action guides. These resources support engagement and partnerships across sectors to support healthier communities.
The PlanH program is funded by the BC Ministry of Health and administered by BC Healthy Communities. The PlanH program supports local and Indigenous governments to create healthier communities through resources, practices and learning opportunities that focus on people, society and the environment.
PlanH 2025 successful applicants
Community Connectedness Grants
Island Health
- Uchucklesaht Tribe Government: Uchucklesaht Community Picnic
- Town of Comox: Early Years Parent Speaker Series 2025/2026
Vancouver Coastal Health
- Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation: Connecting Through Climate: Community Engagement on Health, Heat, and Resilience
- City of Vancouver: Community Connect – Balmoral Program
Interior Health
- City of Williams Lake: Empower and Prevent – Youth Resiliency Project
- City of Penticton: Cycling Without Age
- Okanagan Indian Band: i sqilxʷcawtət – our indian ways
- Métis Nation Columbia River Society: Wîya Ohpiskâw (she rises) – Heartbeat of the Land
- Rocky Mountain Métis Association: Walking with the Medicines
Fraser Health
- City of Pitt Meadows: Grow Together Program
- City of White Rock: Family Community Connections
- Shxw’ōwhámél First Nation: Shxw’ōwhámél Summer and Fall Gathering
Northern Health
- Village of Granisle: Granisle & Tachet Elder Tea
- Prince George Métis Community Association: Metis Yoga, Healing Circles and Elders gatherings for 2025/2026
- Kispiox Band Council: Gitxsan Cultural Connections
Healthy Public Policy Grants
Island Health
- Tofino: Towards a Healthier Tofino: Planning for a Community Alcohol Strategy
- Capital Regional District: Salt Spring Island Community Health Needs Assessment 2025
- K’omoks First Nation and Comox Valley Emergency Management: Community Critical Incident Stress Management and Recovery Team
- Comox Valley Regional District: A Peer-Informed Path to Implementing the Comox Valley Community Homelessness Plan
- City of Victoria: Age-friendly Victoria Evaluation Study
Vancouver Coastal Health
- Tla’amin Nation: ƛasəm t ̓imɩxʷ – tiwšamstawɬšt (Strong Medicine – We Will Teach Each Other)
- Squamish Nation: Squamish Nation Policy Framework Revision Phase 3: Prepare Materials and Draft Framework
- Nuxalk Nation: Culturally Safe Transitions Home from Treatment
- City of Vancouver: The TGD2S+ Housing & Services Roundtable & Working Groups: TGD2S+ Health Equity Report
Interior Health
- Village of Chase: Chase Accessibility Plan and Committee Framework
- City of Salmon Arm: Embracing Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity: A Collaborative Anti-Racism Strategy (Phase II: Implementation)
- Shackan Indian Band: Sacred Circle of Care: Building Wellness from the Start
Fraser Health
- City of Burnaby: Building Social Connections: New Policy Implementation with Cities of Burnaby and New Westminster
- Village of Harrison Hot Springs: Building Belonging: Harrison Hot Springs DEI Action Plan
- Langley City: Planning for a resilient food system in Langley City
Northern Health
- Kelly Lake Cree Nation: Kelly Lake Cree Nation; Healthy food with a community-based greenhouse