Community funding application information
Last updated on July 22, 2025As part of the Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program, the Ministry of Environment and Parks in partnership with the BC Lung Foundation offers funding to eligible applicants to start or continue a local program.
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Eligibility requirements
Funding is available to any local government, First Nations, non-profit organization, airshed group, or air quality management organization that represents Red Zone communities or First Nations communities in British Columbia. These organizations are eligible to receive funding to support the delivery of a Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program.
Organizations applying for funding must demonstrate:
- High local or regional need
- Strong community buy-in
- Capacity to deliver the program
- Offer a long-term plan for education and program sustainability
Individual communities may submit proposals or join with other communities or the regional district to submit a proposal.
Communities are encouraged to offer the program over multiple years to build momentum and encourage lasting change.
Programs can be operated:
- All year round
- In the fall
- In March and April during the industry discount period
Apply for funding
The deadline for proposal submissions from eligible communities for the 2025–2026 program year is September 19, 2025.
Interested groups are encouraged to submit their proposals in advance of the deadline.
Program update
Please review:
Proposal criteria
Please review:
Funding decisions
Applications are evaluated using the Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program Community Criteria 2025/2026 (PDF, 129KB).
Community funding
In July 2024, the BC Lung Foundation and the Ministry issued a call for community proposals for the CWSRP.
Funding was announced to communities in December 2024.
Communities and amount of funding
The following table presents program funding for 2024/25.
| City or Region | Grant ($) |
|---|---|
| Ashcroft Indian Band | $1,200 |
| Bulkley Valley and Lakes District | $8,000 |
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | $10,000 |
| Gitwangak First Nation | $50,000 |
| Wildsight Golden | $8,000 |
| Metro Vancouver | $12,000 |
| Prince George and unincorporated areas of the Fraser - Fort George Regional District | $8,000 |
| qathet Regional District (Powell River and surrounding areas) | $12,500 |
| Kelowna and Central Okanagan | $7,500 |
| Regional District of Nanaimo | $55,000 |
| Salt Spring Island | $35,000 |
| Sunshine Coast Regional District, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Bowen Island, Horseshoe Bay, Lions Bay | $30,000 |
| Village of Valemount | $9,950 |
| Vanderhoof District | $13,000 |
| Total requested | $260,150 |
Communities continuing in 2025 with previously granted funding:
- Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
- Comox Valley Regional District
- Kamloops
- Kitimat (and surrounding area)
- Regional District of Central Kootenay
- Fraser Valley Regional District
- Strathcona Regional District