Equity and Anti-Racism Grant Program Opens
Community organizations can now apply for funding under a new grant program that aims to address systemic hate, inequity and racism.
The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism’s (OEA) Community Network Grant opened to applications today, February 14.
“Everyone needs to work together to address and eliminate hate, inequity and racism – from the provincial government creating policies and laws, to organizations on the ground in our communities,” said Brad Johns, Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism. “Through these grants, we are promoting equity and anti-racism work at the local level by funding organizations that support underrepresented and underserved communities.”
To be eligible, organizations and projects must have a primary mandate and objectives related to equity and anti-racism such as:
- reducing or removing barriers in education, healthcare, the justice system, public services, employment or public life
- promoting public awareness about the importance of fairness and justice, and actively opposing hate, inequity and racism
- promoting cultural and intercultural community building and economic development for underrepresented and underserved groups
- responding to and reducing gender-based violence
- offering training and capacity-building programs that support those interested in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives
- promoting and increasing availability and accessibility of data, evidence and community insights on equity and race-related issues.
Grants of up to $25,000 per project are available, with total program funding of $250,000 in 2023-24. The deadline for applications is March 8.
The grants are part of OEA’s Community Network, which was created to provide a virtual space to better connect communities with each other and with the government for meaningful, sustained dialogue. The network, launched on July 31, 2023, will continue to grow with feedback from members, and is one of the key commitments in the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act.
Quick Facts:
- in July 2023, the Province released the Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy, the first of its kind in Canada; the goal of the strategy is to ensure a whole-of-government approach in identifying and addressing systemic hate, inequity and racism
- approved projects must align with the goals of the strategy
- underrepresented and underserved groups include Mi’kmaq and/or people of Indigenous descent, African Nova Scotians, people of African descent, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, newcomers and minority faith-based groups
- registered non-profit organizations and charities are eligible for the grants
Additional Resources:
More information about the OEA Community Network and applying for a grant is available at: https://www.oeaengagement.ca/oea-community-network
Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy: https://novascotia.ca/just/publications/docs/equity-and-anti-racism-strategy.pdf
Dismantling Racism and Hate Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/dismantling%20racism%20and%20hate.pdf
Office of Equity and Anti-Racism: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/equity-and-anti-racism-initiatives