Applications open for Niagara’s Building Safer Communities Grant to support youth crime prevention across Niagara

September 25, 2023

Niagara Region is now accepting applications for the Building Safer Communities Grant Program, which funds community-based efforts to prevent youth gun and gang violence locally.

In partnership with Public Safety Canada, the Building Safer Communities Fund will be used to implement Niagara’s Gun and Gang Prevention Strategy. This initiative aligns with prevention activities identified with Niagara’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.

Applicants may request between $10,000 to $300,000 per year, for up to two years.

To be eligible for funding, organizations must:

Be incorporated as a non-profit organization, registered charity or be an urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organization
Support children, youth and young adults (ages six to 26) in evidence-based prevention programs or initiatives
Align with at least one of the key areas of focus as identified in Niagara’s Gun and Gang Prevention Strategy
Provide services to Niagara region residents
Ensure equitable and inclusive service delivery to diverse and/or marginalized youth at-risk

Applications will be accepted from Sept. 25 to Oct. 22, 2023. Funding will be available for a two-year period commencing January 2024 and ending in December 2025.

Niagara Region will be hosting three information sessions to help community organizations learn about the grant and application process:

Session one: Monday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (virtual)
Session two: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 6 - 8 p.m. (virtual)
Session three: Friday, Oct. 6, 1 - 3 p.m. (in person, Welland Public Health, 200 Division St. Welland)

To register for an information session, email cswb@niagararegion.ca.

The 2021-2025 Community Safety and Well-Being Plan was adopted by Regional Council in collaboration with several partners to support safe and healthy communities through a community-based approach to address root causes of social issues. The goal of the plan is to create a community where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging, has access to services and is able to meet their needs for education, health care, food, housing, and social and cultural expression.

Learn more about Community Safety and Well-Being Planning and related initiatives.

“My number one priority as Minister of Public Safety is keeping Canadians safe. Investments in grassroots efforts in Niagara Region are essential to addressing the social conditions that lead youth and young adults to get involved in a life of crime. Put simply, we must stop gun and gang violence before it starts.” - The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs.

“The Building Safer Communities Fund is integral to supporting the well being of youth in Niagara. This program will make our region safer while ensuring young people are set up for success, to addressing the social conditions that lead youth and young adults to get involved in a life of crime.” - Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre.

“While Niagara region continues to see low rates of gun and gang violence, it is vital that at-risk youth receive the tools and resources they need to make positive choices now to prevent their vulnerability to crime in the future. I want to thank the Federal Government for partnering with Niagara Region and investing in programming that ensure our children, youth and young adults are well supported. Local prevention programs are critical to keeping our communities safe.” – Jim Bradley, Regional Chair, Regional Municipality of Niagara.

“Safety and well-being cannot be addressed in isolation by one organization or sector – it requires a collaborative and community-driven approach. By investing in our young people through community-led initiatives, we can not only support their well-being and resiliency but can witness greater societal benefits to our region at large.” - Adrienne Jugley, Commissioner of Community Services, Regional Municipality of Niagara.

Media contact

Peter Criscione
Niagara Region
289-668-7802
peter.criscione@niagararegion.ca