Course:Course:LFS350/Projects/F2023/UWBC

Project Title

Climate Resilient Communities: Food Infrastructure Grant

United Way British Columbia

Organization Information

Organization Name

United Way British Columbia

Mission and Vision of Organization

Our mission: We strengthen vital connections that support people in need in our local communities. Our vision: A healthy, caring, inclusive community.

Guiding Principles + Values

Since our inception, United Way British Columbia (“United Way BC”) has been rooted in community and we recognize the critical work required to ensure we continue to evolve as an organization that not only works to serve, but also reflects the diversity of our communities. As such, we have started the process of transformational change by embedding the guiding principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) into our organization and the work we do within community. Justice. We believe that justice is achieved when systemic, institutional, and historical barriers are removed so that all individuals and communities have equal access and opportunity to thrive in all aspects of life. In conjunction, United Way BC is committed to unravelling and dismantling white supremacy by challenging and re-focusing our current approaches to community engagement, funding, and internal practices. Equity. We welcome all people — regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, identity, postal code, health and ability status, or any other consideration. All people deserve absolute dignity, value, and opportunity to participate justly, fairly, and fully in all dimensions of life in order to reach their full potential. Diversity. We believe that each individual and/or group of individuals bring a unique perspective, lived experience, and identity. We celebrate the differences that contribute to United Way BC’s collective impact. Inclusion. We strive to ensure each community member, donor, volunteer, partner, advocate, and employee has equal access and opportunity to contribute toward creating healthy, caring, vibrant communities. What does this mean for United Way British Columbia? This means we are committed to actively ensuring that the work we do, and how we do it, recognizes the right of all peoples to be unique, to consider themselves different, and to be respected as such. What is our commitment? Our vision is a healthy, caring, inclusive community and we are therefore committed to continual growth, action, and accountability. Where are we in the process? While we are in the early stages of this process, we hope to achieve a clear path forward in embodying these JEDI principles. This is an evolving journey as we learn more and move to align our practices with our stated values.

Contact Information

• Primary Contact Person(s): Hailey Dermott (she/her), Food Security Initiative Manager
• Email: haileyd@uwbc.ca
• Phone: 604-969-8173
• Address: 4543 Canada Way, Burnaby BC V5G 4T4
• Website: https://uwbc.ca/
• Alternate Contact Person: Morning Star Tricky (she/her), Food Security Coordinator
• Email: morningstar@uwbc.ca

Preferred Method of Contact

• Best method(s) to contact: Email
• Best day(s) to contact: Monday-Friday

Preferred Platform(s) for Remote Collaboration

• Zoom, MS Teams

Project Description

Context/Background

The Climate Resilient Communities: Food Infrastructure Grant (FIG) is a funding program that supports rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to build food systems resilience to climate change. The grant aims to foster community food self-sufficiency and develop sustainable and climate-adaptive food systems through various pathways, including growing, harvesting, foraging, procuring, storing, and processing local and traditional food. With the support of the FIG program, communities can strengthen their food systems, promote sustainable practices, and improve access to nourishing and culturally appropriate foods, fostering resiliency and food security. Students will analyze the applications we receive from organizations across the province to obtain data regarding the types of initiatives folks are developing to address climate resilience and food security, as well as regional need, and any other patterns that are observed in the data. Grant Eligibility: The FIG program is open to charitable organizations, non-profits, social enterprises, grassroots organizations, First Nations Governments & Communities, Metis Nations, and Chartered Communities located in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Both new projects and existing initiatives that are expanding are eligible to apply. Total Funding Amount: The grant offers funding of up to $20,000. Eligible Expenses: Eligible capital expenses include investments in infrastructure and equipment that promote climate resiliency, sustainable food practices and traditional food processing methods. Some examples are: Solutions for sustainable growing, such as greenhouses, seed libraries, and garden boxes. Equipment for traditional food processing, such as smoking, canning, curing, and freeze-drying. Climate-resilient food infrastructure, including cool storage alternatives like root cellars.

Food Systems Issue(s) Addressed in this Project

Understanding food infrastructure needs as they relate to climate resiliency and food security in rural, remote and Indigenous communities in BC.

Main Project Activities

• Analyze grant applications

Main Project Deliverable(s)

• Spreadsheets outlining observed trends Infographic Power point presentation

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

Data analysis Interest in/knowledge of climate resiliency Interest in/knowledge of food security Interest in/knowledge of Indigenous food sovereignty

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

• Applications will be submitted by October 24,2 023. After this date we will download all of the applications from our online portal and send them to you as PDF files.

Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?

• No

How much self-direction is expected from the students?

• Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Equal leadership between students and community partner
• Developing the activity plan and timeline: Led by students
• Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Led by students
• Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Led by students
• Finalizing the deliverable(s): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input

Related Volunteering/Community Service Opportunities for Students

• Students may attend grant info sessions that will be held in September if timelines allow.

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review the following materials prior to the first partner meeting. Additional orientation materials may be provided at the first partner meeting.

• n/a The grant has not been shared publicly yet so there are no materials to review.

Expected Outcomes

Intended Short-term Project Outcome

• United Way of BC Food Security team - has an in-depth understanding of regional trends relating to climate resiliency and food security - so we can develop future initiatives that will support the real needs of rural and remote communities

Learning Outcomes

Through this project, I think students will learn about...

• The relationship between climate resiliency, food security and Indigenous food sovereignty The unique needs of rural, remote and Indigenous communities Grant application/review process Regional needs, how they differ

By working on this project, I think students will develop skills and/or awareness of...

• The relationship between climate resiliency, food security and Indigenous food sovereignty The unique needs of rural, remote and Indigenous communities Grant application/review process Regional needs, how they differ

By the end of the project, I believe students will come to appreciate...

• The innovative and creative work of communities working together to address food insecurity and the impacts of climate change in their communities