Have a great idea for a project or activity that would bring neighbours together and
help create an inviting, vibrant place for people to connect? Applications for My Great Neighbourhood Grants will be accepted starting on April 1.
“Victoria has so many amazing neighbourhoods, each with their own unique identity and sense of community pride,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “I am eager to see how neighbourhoods will use these grants to make their communities more inclusive, social and resilient places.”
My Great Neighbourhood Grants were developed to support strong, connected neighbourhoods through funding for projects and activities that empower residents to shape their local area. The City provides up to $5,000 for placemaking and community resiliency projects and up to $1,000 for community building activities. Residents must match the funding request with volunteer time and in kind donations. This year $131,330 of funding is available. Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Once applications are approved, funding will be distributed on a first-in, first-funded basis. Applications will close for the year on October 31.
Community Virtuals – Lunch and Learn, March 16
With the 2022 grant intake set to open, the City’s Neighbourhood Team is hosting a special Lunch & Learn event focused on the My Great Neighbourhood Grants program. The Community Virtuals session on March 16 will give residents the opportunity to learn more about the program and get their questions answered by staff. Register for the free event.
The City also has a new resource to help neighbours with placemaking projects. The Placemaking Toolkit offers ideas, inspiration and guidance to help make placemaking projects successful. It includes a catalogue of City-approved outdoor furniture, paint and lighting options. https://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/residents/neighbourhoods/tools-and-resources.html”>View the toolkit.
More than $755,000 in My Great Neighbourhood grants have supported 250 community projects since 2016. Combined with the community match of time and resources, a total of $1.5 million in economic capital has been invested in city neighbourhoods. While hard to measure, the social capital and community connections built from these projects, is another important outcome. Past projects include food security initiatives, decorative lighting, murals, art displays, interpretive signage and public seating areas.