Please email us at picsevents@uvic.ca. We’re here to help.

Registered non-profits, First Nations, and Indigenous organizations are eligible. Please contact us at picsevents@uvic.ca if you aren’t sure whether your group is eligible.

Funded events can be workshops, training/skills development, focus groups, tours or field days, webinars, panel discussions, or other event activities related to climate action. Events may be hosted in-person, online, or blended.

Climate action in your community could be focused on addressing one or more important issues, priorities, or challenges. For example, climate action often aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or to strengthen community resilience to climate change. It may address these challenges in an integrated way. While an event may not lead directly to action all by itself, it can be a meaningful step in supporting change. Events can focus on problem solving, planning, exchanging knowledge, building relationships and skills, and fostering meaningful conversations that will support and inspire climate action in your community.

Sometimes there is a need for multiple events or gatherings to enable action. Please reach out to us if you are planning to host a series of events.

Some examples of topic areas for climate action include:

• energy transition;
• net negative carbon drawdown and negative emissions technologies;
• ecosystem health;
• sustainable food systems and food security;
• Indigenous knowledges and reconciliation;
• climate resilient communities;
• resilient livelihoods and just transition;
• wildfire and post-wildfire resilience;
• water stewardship; and
• human health and wellbeing.

PICS will prioritize funding for events that:

• support community-based events that will advance or contribute to tangible climate action;
• include clear plans to magnify and build on event outcomes through post-event actions, communication, and/or planned next steps; and
• are rooted in the principles of climate justice and reconciliation.

B.C. Rare and Cultural Plant Species Seed Bank Gathering
B.C. Conservation Foundation

B.C. First Nations Spiritual Knowledge Keepers Gathering on Climate Change
B.C. Assembly of First Nations

Living Canvas: Bridging Art and Restoration in Climate Action
Gorge Waterway Action Society

If your application is successful, PICS will provide $2,500 to $5,000 for costs related to your event. Your application should identify the grant value that meets your project needs.

PICS funding is for direct climate action event expenses and preparations only.

Ineligible expenses include: indirect cost recovery; overhead/administration; capital purchases (computers, equipment, furniture); alcohol; and honorarium to employees of any government entity.

PICS staff will review and score all applications, using the criteria below. PICS will provide confirmation of decisions and final approval.

Your application will be pre-screened for eligibility for the following (two) mandatory criteria:

• The application is from an eligible organization.
• PICS is a primary event funder (PICS funding contributes at least 20 per cent of total event costs OR PICS’ contribution is critical to the event proceeding).

PICS will apply the following criteria to evaluate (score) your application:

• Clear description of event purpose (objectives) and the value of the event;
• Identifiable climate action to flow from the event, with potential for broader community impact;
• Well thought-out event format, structure, and content;
• Collaboration with, and/or leadership from community groups and a clear community being served;
• Integration of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in event design and delivery.

The final adjudication for each funding call will also consider a portfolio approach that seeks balance between geographic, organizational, and thematic diversity of initiatives.

Decisions for the Sept. 3, 2024, intake will be sent via email by mid-October 2024.

Decisions for the Feb. 3, 2025, intake will be sent via email by mid-March 2025.

• PICS staff will follow up with a letter that outlines the details we require to make the grant payment (please note that grants may take up to four [4] weeks to process).
• Prior to their events, grant recipients will be invited to participate in an online workshop to share their event concepts and identify ways to amplify event impacts.
• Upon event completion (instead of a written report) grant recipients will take part in a brief (15-minute) conversation with PICS staff to share event results/impact and discuss possible next steps.
• Grant recipients will display the PICS logo and acknowledge funding from PICS in written/online promotional content for the event, as well as (where possible) provide verbal acknowledgement of PICS’ support.
• PICS will provide an exit survey to share with event attendees, so both organizations (grantee and PICS) can receive feedback.

Knowledge mobilization is the process of adapting and disseminating knowledge to increase reach, impact, and inform decision-making. PICS encourages event organizers to create ripples, and aim to maximize climate impact and benefits.

Here are some knowledge mobilization resources: 

A Guide to Setting Your Knowledge Mobilization Goals 

Knowledge Mobilization Planning Template 

Resources from Simon Fraser University’s Knowledge Mobilization Hub 

Climate Emergency Climate Justice Lens (UBC)

Six pillars of Climate Justice (University of California Centre for Climate Justice)

B.C. First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan (BCAFN) 

Environmental Protection and Climate Action (Assembly of First Nations)

Indigenous knowledges and climate change (Climate Atlas of Canada)

10 principles of Reconciliation (Selkirk College)

Hosting inclusive events (B.C. government) 

Accessible and inclusive event planning (UBC Equity and inclusion office) 

Accessibility and inclusion in community-engaged events (SFU Public Square)