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VCC introduces Eco-College grants for sustainability initiatives

Posted on October 21, 2019

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Inspired by the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan initiatives, Vancouver Community College (VCC) is pleased to introduce the VCC Eco-College Small Grants Program.

This program provides grants of up to $500 to current VCC students, instructors, and staff who wish to develop projects that help make the college greener.

The VCC Eco-College grants will be allocated to projects based on VCC’s Environmental Sustainability Strategies:

  1. Environmental purchasing
  2. Local food
  3. Energy efficient buildings
  4. Green transportation
  5. Zero waste
  6. Sustainability curriculum development
  7. Community activations
  8. Water conservation

How to submit

Proposals must include:

  • A completed VCC Eco-College Small Grant application form (PDF)
  • Applicant name, Banner ID, phone number, email address, role at VCC (staff, student, instructor, etc.)
  • Project concept, location, budget, and related Environmental Sustainability Strategy (see 1-8 above)
  • All student proposals must include a recommendation letter from a VCC instructor, staff member, program, or service area.

Proposals may be submitted in any format (document, video file, audio file, or in person). To book an in-person proposal session, please contact VCC’s Environmental Community Action Team (ECAT) by emailing ecat@vcc.ca.

What kinds of projects qualify? 

  • Projects must be free, accessible, and welcoming to all.
  • Participants must not profit financially from the project.
  • Projects will not be supported retroactively.
  • Grant money may be used to pay people for services. Total honorarium(s) may not be more than $100 per project.
  • Applicants must have a current ID in Banner (VCC’s registration system).
  • Applicants may apply for only one grant per year.
  • Team/co-applicants are permitted to apply.
  • Project should be implemented between November 2019 and February 2020, although they may be ongoing.

Deadline

All proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.

Selection process

A panel will determine the eligibility of grant recipients based on the following criteria:

  1. Alignment with VCC’s Vision Statement (VCC – the first choice for innovative, experiential learning for life)
  2. Alignment with VCC’s Environmental Sustainability Strategies
  3. Community engagement
  4. Fun

Winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 22, 2019.

Using your grant

Grant recipients will be assigned an ECAT liaison member who will help navigate VCC resources such as room booking, printing, marketing, security, risk assessment, etc.

If the project is going to take place in a common area of the college, the grant recipient must obtain appropriate permission and insurance prior to their project start date.

Grant recipients are responsible for managing the grant money. They will be required to keep expense receipts to account for all project costs. While some projects may continue year-round, it is expected that grants are spent and receipts submitted no later than February 15, 2020.

Grant winners will be required to supply a 300-word report and images of the project after completion.

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Did you know? VCC has surpassed its sustainability goals by achieving $2 million in energy savings in less than 10 years.