Prince George, B.C. – Northern Health has announced some new grant funding to support community groups across northern B.C.

The grants will go to communities that have ideas for projects to improve the health and well-being of their residents. Groups and organizations interested are asked to submit an expression of interest by the noted deadline.  Grants are available in three separate areas:

1. Existing Partnering for Healthier Community Committees:  Which would empower existing committees to use their local knowledge and expertise to administer small granting programs of their own for their communities. Maximum grant of $10,000 and must be requested by February 28, 2014.
2. Communities currently without a Partnering for Healthier Community Committee, but who are poised to establish one: Communities ready to start a committee to promote safe and healthy citizens and communities. This grant will be up to $20,000. Application deadline is February 28, 2014.
3. Communities currently without a Partnering for Healthier Community Committee, and do not currently have the local infrastructure to create one: This grant is open to community groups and organizations that have ideas for a new project that will benefit the health of their communities. Expression of interest deadline is February 21, 2014. Successful applicants will be expected to submit a project work plan by March 7, 2014.

Projects should:

• Have a good chance of living on after the funding ends
• Broadly impact the community in a positive way
• Help those who are disadvantaged or marginalized improve their access to better health
• Help people connect to each other and their community
• Encourage different groups to work together toward a common goal
• Reduce the risks and impacts of chronic illnesses and injuries through education, awareness and action

To determine which stream groups are eligible for and for more information around criteria, people are encouraged to refer to the Northern Health website