BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative Micro-Grants Program (Canada)

Deadline: 31-May-2024

Submissions are now open for the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative Micro-Grants Program to invest in projects to build a cleaner tourism industry that is prepared to adapt to climate change.

The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI) will invest $3 million from the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (TACS) over two years through Destination BC, working in close collaboration with tourism industry partners including the six Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOS) and Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC). The goal of the BCTCRI is to support the tourism sector in addressing and preparing for climate change.

The Initiative will support businesses and tourism organizations with the following objectives:

• Mitigation: Become more environmentally sustainable in their operations to reduce their overall climate footprint.
• Adaptation: Plan for and invest in adaptations to increase resiliency to climate impacts thereby improving their overall climate preparedness.

Through the BCTCRI, BC’s tourism industry will:

• Build a cleaner tourism industry that is prepared to adapt to climate change.
• Collaborate with partners to identify climate risks and develop tools to respond.
• Encourage partners to adopt common sustainability policies and practices.
• Support responsible travel and preservation of BC’s natural spaces.
• Establish a common set of measures to track sustainable practices and climate adaptation initiatives.

Streams

• Stream 1 – Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Projects
  • Apply through this stream if your business has completed a sustainability assessment and has an action plan for improving sustainability and/or climate preparedness in your operation.
  • Your project must fall under one of the below categories:
    • Renewable Energy Upgrades
    • Facilitation of Sustainable Transportation Methods
    • Waste and Water Management
    • Nature Based Solutions
    • Energy Management
    • Climate Adaptation
• Stream 2 – Sustainability Certification
  • Apply for this stream if you are working towards a sustainability certification from one of the following bodies. Your business must have completed a sustainability assessment and/or have an action plan for improving sustainability. Certification applications may be paired with Stream 1 projects.
  • Certifications that are Eligible:
    • GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Certification
    • Green Key Eco-Rating Program
    • BC Green Business Certification
    • Biosphere Certification
    • Other accredited certification

Micro-Grants

• The program will provide up to a maximum of $15,000 in one-time grants to support organizations to invest in projects that improve environmental sustainability and responsible practices in their operations and support climate change adaptation. The first stream supports project-based work that invests in infrastructure, equipment, or implementation of new operational systems aligned with climate mitigation and adaptation outcomes.
• The second funding stream seeks to support organizations during their sustainability journey with funding certification attainment through an approved tourism sustainability accreditation. Climate sustainability or adaptation planning is not an eligible expense.
• The planning phase needs to be completed and assessments and roadmaps developed prior to micro-grant application. The one-time micro-grant is intended as a catalyst to activate your sustainability planning and reap the economic, social, and environmental benefits of taking climate action.
• The BCTCRI micro-grant program will invest in one-time funding to support the tourism sector in addressing and preparing for climate change.
• The grant will support businesses and tourism organizations to:
  • Invest in adaptations to increase resiliency to climate impacts thereby improving their overall climate preparedness.
  • Become more environmentally sustainable in their operations to reduce their overall climate footprint.

Eligible Applicants

• For-profit business, not-for-profit organization, or Indigenous organizations.
• Located in BC (registered and headquartered).
• Directly provide a tourism experience (e.g. accommodation, food service, attraction, transportation, visitor service).
• Successfully have operated for a minimum of two years.
• Have completed a sustainability assessment and/or have an action plan to improve sustainability and/or climate adaptation (developed within the last five years).
• The assessment or action plan could be completed through the BCTCRI Project #1 (previously the BC Tourism Sustainability Network) or independently co-developed with accredited outside experts.

Ineligible Applicants

• Local Governments
• DMOs (Visitor Centres are exceptions and may be eligible)
• Federal entities
• Organizations that do not provide tourism experiences
• Organizations that have been in operation for less than two years
• Any other organization not listed under eligible organizations

For more information, visit Destination British Columbia.