B.C. Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI)

Program Category: Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation, Climate Mitigation

Program Sub-Category: Energy Efficiency (Housing / Buildings), Renewable Energy, Food Security, Environmental Stewardship, Zero Emission Vehicles and Charging Stations, Waste Reduction and Circular Economy

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Status: Closing Soon

Funder

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Deadline Details

A new intake opened January 7th and closes Jan. 28th at 4pm PST

Funder Organization Type

BC Provincial Government

The BCTCRI is comprised of four key projects that invest in facilitated sustainability and adaptation planning for tourism businesses, micro-grants to support implementation, the formation of a data framework, and province-wide networking opportunities. This initiative and its respective projects are aimed at improving the climate resiliency of the tourism sector and are aligned with the sustainability and adaptation goals identified in the following provincial-level strategies:

This page applies to PROJECT TWO: MICRO-GRANTS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION.This program provides micro-grant funding up to $15,000 for eligible tourism businesses or organizations that are ready to build on their sustainability or climate adaptation plan to implement a project or obtain sustainability certification. Projects must be non-planning related, and include infrastructure enhancement, equipment purchases, or development of new systems that support previous planning processes.The fund will award grants across two streams.

Stream 1 – Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Projects
Stream 2 – Sustainability Certification

Link to website and microgrant guidelines.

Eligible Community

Eligible Applicants:

For-profit business, not-for-profit organization, or Indigenous organizations.
Located in BC (registered and headquartered).
Provide a tourism experience (e.g. accommodation, food service, attraction, transportation, visitor service).
Be successfully operating 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 two 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

First Nations, and companies owned by first nations such as economic development corporations, who are providing a tourism experience, are eligible for this grant.

Required Community Contribution

Community contribution required (please see program website)

25%

Funding Stacking Restrictions

Professional Input Required

Yes

Applicants have to have a sustainability or climate mitigation/adaptation plan that is developed/reviewed by an accredited expert.

Specific Eligibility Requirements

All projects must:

Align with the fund objectives;
Meet the eligibility criteria; and
Support the organization’s sustainability or climate adaptation plan.

Evaluators from Destination BC will review project applications for all evaluation criteria described in this document. If all criteria are deemed to have been met, projects will be accepted based on a first come first served approach. Destination BC reserves the right to select and approve project proposals that are deemed to have fully met all eligibility criteria of the Grant and to accept projects by regional allocation of funding.

Other Eligible Applicants

Indigenous Economic Agencies
Indigenous-owned Businesses
Businesses / For-profit
Indigenous Organizations
Non-governmental Organizations / Not-for-Profits
Economic Development Agencies

Type of Funding

Grant

Range of Funding Available per Project

Under $100 000

Description of Funding

micro-grant funding up to $15,000

Percentage of Project Funded

The overall cost of the project or certification will be shared between the applicant and the funding
program.

For-profit businesses
- Up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Indigenous* and not-for-profit organizations
- Up to 75% of eligible project costs

*Applies to businesses that have at least 51% Indigenous ownership Financial support will not exceed $15,000. The actual contribution amount will be based on the minimum amount required to compete the project.

The application form must present a detailed budget that is feasible and considers all costs and
funding sources. Relevant quotations or estimates may be requested to support the budgeted costs.

Eligible Costs

Capital Costs
Equipment/Material Purchase

Grant funds can be used for:

Goods or services directly related to project costs
Construction or material costs
Leasing of equipment related to the project
Equipment essential for operation of the project
Instructional signage
Digital infrastructure

Ineligible Costs

Any costs incurred prior to signing a funding agreement
Building Purchase Costs
Administration Fees
Project Management
Staff Costs
Land Acquisition

Legal fees

Planning or consultation fees
Costs incurred before approval date and after project completion
Gifts and hospitality costs (for example, food, beverages, liquor, entertainment etc.)
Liability insurance

Reporting Requirements

Final report only

Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision

1 month

Projects will be evaluated based on these guidelines: https://www.destinationbc.ca/content/uploads/2024/05/BC-Tourism-Climate-Resiliency-Initiative-Grant-Program-Guidelines-May-2024-Final.pdf

This initiative was created through a provincial partnership with Destination BC, the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, BC’s six Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs)—the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Northern BC Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region, 4VI, and Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), and will be delivered by Destination BC and the RDMOs. This initiative builds on the achievements of the BC Tourism Sustainability Network (BCTSN) – a collaborative sustainability support program for BC’s tourism industry that was initiated in 2022.

This is a new program.