Sawicki/Runka Sustainable Environment Fund
The purpose of the Sawicki/Runka Sustainable Environment Fund is to support smaller, resource-based BC communities to make the transition to environmental and economic sustainability.
The Fund will provide micro-grants up to $5,000 to real people doing real projects in rural BC communities to restore, protect and/or enhance environmental and economic resilience to benefit people today and future generations.
About the Fund
All over the world, forests, fisheries, productive soils and water resources are being depleted or degraded at alarming rates. 'Climate Change' is hastening the process, further stressing the environmental resources upon which all of us depend for our economic well-being and quality of life. In the face of such rapid and unpredictable changes, 'community' is our best tool for adaptation.
In rural BC, small resource-based communities are struggling to make the transition to a more sustainable future - a future with a healthy, productive environment that can support viable and diversified local economies and provide a good quality of life to all its citizens.
Priority Focus
Community-based projects dedicated to environmental stewardship, particularly those focused on economic (market or non-market) enterprises that use natural resources sustainably to provide secure livelihoods for local people.
Who might apply
Non-profit, charitable groups (or small groups of individuals working through local non-profit groups or local government structures) in fields including, but not limited to:
- habitat restoration or conservation,
- local food production,
- local tourism,
- small scale fishery and forestry,
- small scale value-added processing, and
- community-scaled, non-fossil fuel-based energy.
Criteria for Selection
- Is the project environmentally sustainable, both in the short and long term?
- Is the project locally based, locally controlled and will it benefit local people?
- Will the project help build community resilience?
How to Apply
Complete the attached letter of intent and return to Vancity Community Foundation as directed in the form. If you have any questions, please contact the Donor Services team at give@vancity.com or by phone at 604.877.6584.