Building relationships in collaboration grants

Last updated on November 7, 2024

Indigenous-led connections with police

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General has funding available for Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and organizations to share knowledge and support learning journeys with law enforcement regarding substance use, harm reduction, and decriminalization. The grant funding is intended to support a variety of initiatives that may help build relationships in ways that are distinctive and responsive to the unique needs of each community or population. These initiatives will be entirely Indigenous led.

Background

B.C. has been granted a three-year exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize select drugs as one part of the Province's public health response to the overdose crisis. This means that adults in B.C. are not subject to criminal charges for the personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs in specific locations. More information about decriminalization can be found on the Decriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C. webpage.

To support law enforcement readiness, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (PSSG) and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA) worked with police leaders and other partners to develop police training on decriminalization.

Training initiatives on the original exemption were implemented on a provincial scale and related training materials are now being updated. These grants will allow Indigenous partners to lead initiatives that will help police agencies to implement decriminalization in ways that are culturally safe and specific to the communities they serve.

Overview

Approximately $500,000 in total funding is available for this fiscal year (2024/25). The grant process will open on November 8, 2024, and allow for submissions until February 7, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by PSSG, MMHA, and a committee with Indigenous representation. Grants will be provided in early 2025.

This grant acknowledges that every Indigenous community and population is unique in how they may choose to work with law enforcement as decriminalization is implemented.

Eligibility

Applicants must be an Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit community and/or organization in B.C. Organizations can also apply for funding together (“co-apply”) to either support joint initiatives or to provide additional implementation support.

Suggested grant activities include, but are not limited to:

Educational events focused on decriminalization
Joint training for both Indigenous communities and law enforcement
Workshops or training for law enforcement facilitated by Indigenous organizations
Inviting educators into community to support staff training and events.
Social events focused on knowledge sharing and relationship building (see this news article as an example)
Resource sharing, relationship building, training opportunities, and knowledge mobilization projects
Advocacy campaigns and actions that aim to address systemic barriers for Indigenous Peoples accessing mental health and addictions services
Naloxone training and distribution
Coalition-building between Indigenous communities and law enforcement with a focus on addictions and mental health emergency planning
Support from decriminalization teams for education events
Sharing circles between communities and law enforcement
Youth events with law enforcement
Any other opportunities to increase knowledge about the toxic drug crisis, promote harm reduction, or reduce stigma

Ineligible applicants include:

Collectives
For-profit organizations and businesses, entities, individuals and commercial ventures
Previous grant recipients who are in default of the grant reporting requirements. These applicants are ineligible until all required documentation is complete.
Municipal, provincial, and federal governments
Non-First Nations universities, colleges, and schools
Religious organizations
Individuals

Application

The application criteria for this grant are broad and meant to encompass the diversity of needs, desires, and relationships between communities/organizations and law enforcement that exist and allows each applicant to self-determine what approach is best for their community or organization.

There is no limit to the amount that an applicant may request. There is a total of $500,000 available to be granted for the 2024/25 funding cycle.

The deadline for applications is February 7, 2025.

Applicants will be notified whether they have been selected to receive a grant by April 1, 2025.

In the spirit of leaving no one behind, those that would like assistance to complete this process can contact decrim@gov.bc.ca for support with their application.

Information sessions

We will be hosting live information sessions the following dates:

Thursday, November 21, 2024: 10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday, December 12, 2024: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Tuesday, January 14, 2025: 9:00am – 10:00am
Tuesday, February 4, 2025: 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Contact decrim@gov.bc.ca if you would like to attend. Invites will be sent out approximately one week before the session.

Previous live information session

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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