Federated Co-operatives Ltd (Co-op), the procurement and distribution network for western Canada’s co-ops, is offering funding of up to $150,000 for community projects.
The deadline for bids to the Co-op Community Spaces project is March 1.
The scheme supports projects in Western Canada dedicated to recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture with funding between $25,000 and $150,000 – up from $100,000 in 2016.
Co-op will increase total funding to $2 million in 2017, up from $1.5 million last year.
“The need to support community-led initiatives remains high in light of the economic slowdown in Western Canada,” said Vic Huard, the organisation’s executive vice president of strategy.
“Co-op will continue to give back and invest in our communities. Co-op Community Spaces provides the opportunity to celebrate Western Canadian communities and the efforts of the people behind important local projects.”
The programme, open toregistered non-profit organisations, registered charities or community service co-ops, was launched in 2015 to help protect, beautify and improve local spaces.
Since then, it has provided $2.5m to 37 projects, including as parks, greenhouses and sports fields.
Last year, 21 projects received funding, including the construction of floating boardwalks at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, British Columbia; a new aquatic centre in Vanderhoof, BC; a community food centre in Alexandria, Alberta; Redcliff Bicycle Skills Park, Alberta; park improvements in Saskatchewan; and Grow Your Own Way, an urban agriculture project in Whitemouth, Manitoba.
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