BC Sport Participation Program supports active and healthy lifestyles with $545,000 in funding

The Province is enhancing opportunities for children, youth, Indigenous, and equity-seeking populations to lead active and healthy lifestyles.

In 2023, the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada provided matching investments of $272,500 for a total of $545,000 for viaSport to administer under the BC Sport Participation Program (BCSPP). This funding was provided to sport organizations to improve participation, diversity, and inclusion in sport programming in communities throughout BC.

“Sport has the power to create social connections, bring communities together, and to stay heathy and strong,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Through our partnership with the federal government, we are leveling the playing field by supporting equal opportunities for people to be involved in community sport programs, so everyone can reap the rewards of sport participation.”

This annual federal/provincial cost-sharing grant program is focused on boosting participation, equity, and inclusion in sport programming and activities for people who are typically underrepresented in community sport activities. Programs that support equity-deserving groups are given special consideration. These groups include:

• Women and girls
• Indigenous peoples
• 2SLGBTQIA+
• Persons with disabilities
• Newcomers to Canada
• Individuals aged 55+
• Lower-income families
• People living in isolated rural communities with fewer sport opportunities
• Large urban areas where low sport participation exists

“It’s important that individuals from all walks of life are able to experience the benefits of sport,” says Charlene Krepiakevich, CEO of viaSport British Columbia. “Improving access to inclusive and safe sport opportunities province-wide enables participants to grow, develop their skills, and strengthen their sense of community.”

The total available funding annually of $545,000 from BCSPP is divided into two streams: $400,000 for the Provincial Sport Development Program (PSDP), and $145,000 to the Community Sport Development Program (CSDP). The entire amount was distributed.  

Quick Facts:

• The Provincial Sport Development Fund provides grants up to $30,000 to support sport projects with regional or provincial reach.
  • The Community Sport Program Development Fund offers grants up to $3,000 to support local, community-based sport projects.
  • Further funding supports pilots, resource development and specific projects that are targeted to under-represented populations and are aligned with government strategies and other priorities.

Learn More:

Read about Sport Canada’s work:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/sport.html

Learn about viaSport and grant intake period, guidelines and applications: https://www.viasport.ca/grants

View BCSPP PSPD recipients list, and the CSPD recipients list.