We had a great time at the UBCM tradeshow meeting local elected officials from across the province!  We're so inspired by the knowledge and passion we saw from everyone we met, and we always love hearing about  projects aiming to improve community well-being. Thank you for coming out!

The Province of B.C. recognized 10 communities for their age-friendly initiatives and announced renewed funding for the Age-friendly Communities grant program. Communities can apply for up to $25,000 in funding for age-friendly assessments and action plans, or up to $15,000 for age-friendly projects. Successful applicants may also be eligible to receive supports from BC Healthy Communities. Learn more.

The long winter season in Northern B.C. can pose a challenge to providing equitable physical activity opportunities to residents, particularly those who have difficulty leaving their homes. In response, Fort St. John launched a Winter City Strategy focusing on "micro-projects" ranging from community fire pits and warming huts to an award program recognizing those who help clear sidewalks. Get the full story.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is quickly becoming a leader in recreational programming promoting physical literacy for all ages and abilities. Retired regional recreation manager Shona Schleppe spoke to us recently about how the region collaborated with other community partners to achieve their ambitious vision. Read the story.

Communities across the province are releasing their 2019 Vital Signs reports. Eleven communities and community foundations in B.C. are publishing reports about community well-being based on responses from community members. A handful of communities released their reports in recognition of Vital Signs Week, which ran from September 30 to October 5, while others are on track to publish their reports later this year. Read more.

The Community Action Initiative is accepting applications for their Community Wellness and Harm Reduction grants until November 18, 2019. The grants, offered through a partnership with the Ministry of Mental Health and Additions (MMHA) and the Overdose Emergency Response Centre (OERC), offer municipalities up to $50,000 for initiatives addressing substance use-related harms to improve wellness. Learn more and apply here.

The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has published the results of the most comprehensive First Nations health and wellness survey conducted in B.C. The Regional Health Survey (RHS) saw nearly 6,000 participants from across the province representing 122 First Nations communities. The FNHA has published a provincial report as well as region-specific reports. View all the reports here.

October 10th marked World Mental Health Day. Local governments and planners can benefit from a report by the BC Centre for Disease control focusing on the link between mental health and the built environment. Mental Health & Well-being: Considerations for the built environment offers information and examples of how to improve community mental health through design. Read the report.