Have ideas for local sustainability activities this year? Applications open for 2023 “Park People” microgrant program
Greg Newing
Organizations and groups in Aylmer that promote local environmental sustainability are eligible for a Canada-wide microgrant funding opportunity this year.
Park People, an organization which has supported local engagement with parks and greenspaces since 2011, is offering grants of $2,000 to fund grassroots initiatives in parks across the country. The grants will fund three activities or events that “promote environmental education, sustainability and stewardship” in 2023. Events can be in public parks as well as any other publicly accessible greenspace, such as schoolyards and social housing properties.
“Our work is centred on bringing community vision for parks to life, and we continue to highlight parks as critical solutions to social isolation, especially when they are programmed in a way that responds to community needs,” said Program Manager Rachel Yanchyshyn.
She noted that according to a national survey carried out by the organization in 2022, only 22% percent of Canadians feel they have a say in what happens in their local parks, but that 79% consider parks important for a sense of social well-being and community connection.
The microgrant program helps local communities take a more active role in unlocking the potential of parks as spaces for education and community development. Examples of possible activities include climate change workshops, nature walks, Indigenous stewardship activities, outdoor sport activities, and community garden creation and workshops.
In 2022, the program funded 72 community groups to host 220 events across Canada. Seventy-two percent of these grants supported projects in underserved areas, and at least half of all grants for 2023 will be awarded to groups working in these communities.
How to apply
The deadline to apply is February 20 and grant recipients will be announced in March. Proposed activities should take place between April 15 and December 31, 2023. Any community group can apply to the program and a trustee or charitable status is not required to receive the grant. To apply, visit https://parkgrants.parkpeople.ca/ and open the online application form linked on this page. Further information about the microgrant program and selection criteria can be found on the website.
Residents can contact Ana Orrego at aorrego@parkpeople.ca for further assistance. Park People is also offering coaching calls for applicants from January 16 to February 15. Information about how to schedule a call can also be found on the website.
Photo Caption: Recipients of the 2022 Park People microgrant award. Photo credit: Park People.
