Community Action Initiative

Community Dialogue Grants

Promoting a Healthy Drinking Culture in BC

Background

Drinking alcohol is a part of Canadian culture, and it is widely consumed and enjoyed by many across British Columbia (BC). However, a great deal of people are still not aware of the safe drinking limits based on Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines and how exceeding the limits can impact their health and family. Alcohol-related harms are on the rise in BC due to increasing levels of alcohol consumption.

Overview & Rationale

Community Action Initiative (CAI) was established by the BC Alliance for Mental Health/Illness in 2008 to support community-led projects focusing on mental health and substance use issues in British Columbia. CAI is looking for community-based organizations in municipalities across BC to lead and collaborate with other partners to explore alcohol-related harms caused by moderate-risk drinking in their community, and work together towards building a healthier drinking culture.

This funding opportunity aims to increase the capacity of community-based organizations in the mental health and substance use sector, and their wider communities, to dedicate time and resources to focus on this issue through inclusive dialogue, bringing together key players to examine and understand the use and impact of alcohol in their communities (see CAI Guide to Organizing Community Dialogue on Moderate-Risk Drinking). The focus is not on high-risk drinking (i.e. chronic substance abuse or alcoholism). While these are indeed important community concerns, they will not be the emphasis for these community dialogues.

CAI will award convening grants up to the value of $15,000 to community-based organizations to fund community dialogues around moderate-risk alcohol consumption. Dialogues can take different forms including one-off community events, a series of smaller conversations, or discussions with strategic collaborators taking a deeper dive into the issue.

In addition to the convening funds, grantees and their communities will be supported with  alcohol-related resources and capacity-building tools, along with knowledge exchange opportunities.

Eligibility & Essential Requirements

The organization that applies will act as the lead agency and must be a non-government, not-for-profit, community-based organization or a First Nations Band, Metis or Aboriginal mandated organization. Non-government, not-for-profit, community-based organizations must supply proof of society registration or/charitable status as part of the application. Aboriginal applicants are exempt from this requirement.

Government agencies, for-profit businesses, research institutions, school boards, health authorities and primary care providers are not eligible to apply.

Budget & Eligible Expenses

Lead agency can apply for up to $15,000 to support community dialogues.

• Proposed budget must include a breakdown of costs with clear rationale for each area
• No more than 10% of budget can be allocated to administration expenses
• Hiring of dialogue facilitator may be included under personnel expenses
• All funds must be spent by March 31, 2019

How to Apply

Applications need to be submitted using the form (link below) provided and emailed or sent to CAI, and will start to be evaluated on July 15, 2018. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until November 15, 2018, or before if all funding has been expended.