Northern Water Safety Fund – Canada

Deadline: 15-Dec-22

Applications are now open for the Water Safety Fund (WSF) to promote water safety and support increased participation in water-based sport and recreation activities.

The WSF can be used to certify instruction such as swimming lessons and lifeguard training, and also for water programming equipment for safety and recreation purposes (i.e., life jackets, canoes, paddles, life saving devices, etc.).

Objectives

• The WSF aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action, which identifies four social development needs of Indigenous communities:
  • Improved health;
  • Improved education;
  • Improved employability; and
• Reduced at-risk behaviours. The goal of the WSF funding is to provide northern Indigenous communities and organizations with support to utilize access to bodies of water (i.e., lakes, rivers, swimming pools, etc.) and promote participation in water sports and recreation, in a safe manner with the proper safety precautions and necessary equipment.

Funding Information

• Eligible applicants are invited to apply for funding of up to $10,000 to support water safety within their First Nation community.
• Funding must be spent with all reporting submitted by March 31, 2023.
• Funds may be utilized for:
  • Programs teaching water safety.
  • Delivery of or participation in, water sport and recreation programs.
  • Waterfront management to increase access and safety for community members.
  • Programs to help certify lifeguards and swim instructors within the community.
  • Water safety, and water sport and recreation equipment.
  • Delivery of Learn to Programs (i.e., swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, etc.). with certified instructors.

Eligibility Criteria

• Northern First Nation Communities located in Ontario; and
• Established Indigenous Youth Groups within northern Ontario.
• ISWO is responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant, their project, and project expenses. Please note that the WSF is intended to support Northern communities located in the province of Ontario; all activities and programs related to the funding request must take place in Ontario.

Evaluation Criteria

• The WSF supports projects that are designed to promote water safety and increased participation in water sport and recreation activities. It is important to provide a clear outline of how you plan to evaluate and measure the impact of your project, which could include a change in the community’s overall water safety and opportunities for learning water sports.
• Evaluation will be based on project applications that best met the following criteria:
  • Align with the purpose of the grant and the four social development outcomes listed:
    • Demonstrate the acceptable use of funds;
    • Respond to a specific community need;
    • Demonstrate organizational capacity to complete the proposed project;
    • Include clear and achievable objectives, and measurable outcomes; and
    • Provide clear measures and indicators to determine the success of the project.

For more information, visit WSF.