Home »
Local nation getting age-friendly community grant
Through the Age-friendly Communities program, $500,000 in age-friendly grants are being awarded across 26 communities in B.C. this year, including ?Akisq’nuk First Nation.
?Akisq’nuk program ‘Centering Elders’ Voices in Community Planning, Housing, and Services’ is receiving $25,000 to develop an age-friendly action plan that will consist of high-level priorities and accompanying actions that can be integrated into existing programs, practices, and policies and will be grounded in a comprehensive understanding of Elder’s needs.
“We are proud to support B.C. communities in building places where older adults can age with dignity, safety and connection,” said Vanessa Manuel, executive director, BC Healthy Communities. “This year, we are especially moved by the breadth and depth of Indigenous-led projects in the 2026 cohort. Ten Indigenous communities will receive funding, a record for this program, and many of their projects focus on Elder wellness and safety in ways that are deeply rooted in culture and community.”
“Funding plans and projects that focus on issues like health and wellness programming, emergency preparedness and climate resiliency means older adults are able to continue to live independently in their communities with deeper connections and inclusion,” said Susie Chant, parliamentary secretary for seniors’ services and long-term care.
The program offers two streams of funding to help local and Indigenous governments achieve the vision of building age-friendly communities:
* Stream 1 planning focuses on completing age-friendly assessments and action plans;
* Stream 2 projects focus on implementing age-friendly initiatives identified as priorities in the community’s age-friendly action plan.
This year, 15 grants were awarded in the planning stream, such as the ?Akisq’nuk program, and 11 grants in the project stream.
The grants aim to remove physical and social barriers, improve community well-being and foster independence among older adults. This year, projects will start in July 2026 and finish in June 2027.
By 2041, more than 20% of B.C.’s population will be 65 or older.
Sixty-two communities in B.C. have been recognized as age-friendly.
e-KNOW
