Congratulations to this year’s PlanH Healthy Communities Grants recipients!

ByPatrick Dunne

Recipients of the 2024 PlanH Healthy Communities Grant Program have been announced. Thirty-one projects will be funded for a total of $290,000 under two funding streams: Community Connectedness and Healthy Public Policy.

The Community Connectedness funding stream is providing 17 grants of up to $5,000 plus support and resources for projects that help foster relationship-building in communities.

The Healthy Public Policy funding stream is providing an additional 12 grants of up to $15,000 for projects that will improve the health and well-being of communities by creating or updating health-related policies.

The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority is providing an additional $30,000 to fund two Healthy Public Policy projects for communities within its area.

“Grants through the PlanH program will help improve overall quality of life by supporting projects that address the unique needs of each community, with solutions that are based on local knowledge and experiences,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “By building resources, practices, and learning opportunities that focus on people, we also build stronger communities.” 

This round of grants will help fund a variety of projects throughout the province, including those in rural, urban and Indigenous communities. 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. Examples include guides that encourage community involvement, such as adding neighbourhood-based centres for social events; developing policies to encourage safe, active travel to school and workplaces; and improving accessibility throughout the community for people of all ages and abilities.

The PlanH program is funded by the 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 2024 Grantees

Community Connectedness Grants 

Fraser Health 

  • City of Surrey:  Surrey’s Black, African, Caribbean (BAC) Advisory 
  • Seabird Island Band:  The 2024 Sto:lo Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative 
  • Sumas First Nation:  Food Sovereignty & Security: A community cohesion project 
  • Village of Harrison Hot Springs:  Enhancing Connections in Harrison Hot Springs 

Interior Health 

  • City of Cranbrook:  Less Talk, More Action 
  • City of Kimberley:  City of Kimberley Accessibility Plan 
  • Métis Nation Columbia River Society:  Kaa-Wiichihitoyaahk – We Take Care of Each Other 
  • Village of Nakusp:  Nakusp and District Sports Complex Usage Committee 
  • Splatsin First Nation:  Splatsin’s Addiction Support Groups 

Island Health 

  • City Of Campbell RIver:  Community Falls Prevention Initiative – Tea & Talk Socials 
  • Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation:  Youth Camp Water Safety Training 
  • North Island Métis:  Aen Shayshawiiyen (Yoga) 
  • Municipality of North Cowichan:  Youth Job Training Series 
  • Town of Port McNeill:  Extending the Youth Connect Program for Port McNeill Youth 

Vancouver Coastal Health 

  • City of North Vancouver:  Connecting Youth and Schools with Community-Based Environmental Stewardship 
  • City of Richmond:  Employment Readiness for Youth in Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services 
  • District of West Vancouver:  Enhancing Health and Wellness: Empowering Newcomer Community in West Vancouver 

Healthy Public Policy Grants 

Fraser Health 

  • Chawathil First Nation:  Indigenous Health and Well Being Plan 
  • City of Maple Ridge:  Baby Friendly Community – Breast/Chest feeding in Community Facilities 
  • City of New Westminster:  Food Security Action Plan 
  • City of Mission:  Enabling Positive Youth Development through Integrated OCP Health Policy 

Interior Health 

  • City of Merritt:  City of Merritt Accessibility & Age-Friendly Plan 
  • CIty of Salmon Arm:  City of Salmon Arm Collaborative Anti-Racism:   Embracing Equity and Inclusion 
  • Town of Golden:  Pathways to Resilience – A Food Security Strategy for Golden & Area A 
  • City of Kamloops:  Phase 2: Indigenous Engagement Protocol Development with Title and Rights Holders and Urban Indigenous 

Island Health 

  • Village of Cumberland:  Food Security and community resilience in Cumberland; policy development to plan for a food-security community in the face of Climate Change and related emergencies 

Northern Health 

  • Gitwangak Band:  Anti Racism prevention – for policy change 
  • Yekooche First Nation:  Housing Strategy 
  • Kitselas First Nation:  Gitselasu Master Plan – Supporting Food Sovereignty and Water Quality Protection For Our People Today, and for Future Generations 

Vancouver Coastal Health 

  • City of Vancouver:  Empowering Voices: Creating the DTES Indigenous Advisory Committee 
  • Squamish Nation:  Squamish Nation Policy Framework Revision