Minister Tassi launches call for proposals for community-based projects that support seniors Français
Organizations are invited to apply for funding
OTTAWA, May 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Seniors make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and workplaces. That is why the Government of Canada remains committed to providing Canadian seniors with greater security and a better quality of life.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, announced the launch of the 2019–20 New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) call for proposals for community-based projects. The Minister made the announcement while visiting the Glebe Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.
The NHSP is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help improve the well-being and quality of life of seniors and foster social inclusion and engagement of older Canadians in all aspects of society.
The Program's community-based stream supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of its five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. Organizations are invited to apply for funding under the NHSP's three national priorities:
- preventing elder abuse and fraud, including measures to reduce crimes and harms against seniors;
- supporting healthy aging in community and addressing dementia, including community supports and intergenerational housing; and
- counteracting ageism in the workplace to promote labour market retention of seniors.
The 2019–20 NHSP community-based call for proposals is open until June 21, 2019. For details on how to apply, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/new-horizons-seniors.html.
Quote
"Canadian seniors have worked hard to support their families, build strong communities and grow our economy. Their knowledge, skills, and experience are the cornerstones our economy and country were built on. Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we are taking more steps to empower seniors by strengthening their connections with their communities so they can have the healthy, happy and secure life they worked hard for."
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors
Quick Facts
- Seniors are the fastest-growing demographic group in Canada. By 2030, the number of seniors will reach 9.6 million, representing close to one-quarter of Canada's population.
- Every year, organizations across Canada are invited to apply for NHSP funding through a call for proposals for community-based projects that encourage seniors to stay active and involved in their communities.
- Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding, and up to $5,000 in small grants funding is available to organizations that have not received funding in the past five years.
- Since 2004, the NHSP has funded more than 23,600 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total Government of Canada investment of more than $487.7 million.
- Budget 2019 proposed an investment of $100 million over five years and $20 million per year ongoing, which includes $15 million for community-based projects, for the NHSP to support even more projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being.
Related Documents
Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors Program
Associated Links
New Horizons for Seniors Program – Engaging seniors, strengthening communities
Programs and services for seniors
Investing in the Middle Class: Budget 2019
A secure and dignified retirement for Canadians
Backgrounder
The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being. NHSP funding supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects. The projects are led or inspired by seniors who are making a difference in the lives of others and their communities.
Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experience to the benefit of others. The objectives of the NHSP are:
- promoting volunteerism among seniors;
- engaging seniors in the community through mentoring of others;
- expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
- supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors; and
- providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.
Since the NHSP was launched in 2004, more than 23,600 projects have been funded across Canada. With a proposed investment in Budget 2019 of $100 million over five years, and $20 million per year ongoing, including $15 million for community-based projects, the Government of Canada will be supporting even more projects.
Community-based projects
Community-based project funding supports activities where seniors are engaged, connected and actively involved in their communities. Organizations are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding, and small grants of up to $5,000 are available to organizations that have not received funding within the last five years.
As part of the 2019-20 NHSP community-based call for proposals, organizations are invited to apply for funding under the NHSP's three national priorities:
- preventing elder abuse and fraud, including measures to reduce crimes and harms against seniors;
- supporting healthy aging in community, addressing dementia, including community supports and intergenerational housing; and
- counteracting ageism in the workplace to promote labour market retention of seniors.
Approximately 2000 projects across Canada were approved through last year's NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects, many of which are still in progress.
For more information, visit The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
Pan-Canadian projects
Pan-Canadian projects test and share best practices across the country and replicate approaches that have worked well in addressing seniors' issues. As part of a collective impact approach, project partners work together to achieve measurable results in increasing social inclusion of seniors. The objectives of collective impact projects funded through the NHSP pan-Canadian stream are to:
Build the collective capacity of organizations
Promote improved access to information, programs and services for seniors
Support action research for increasing the level of social inclusion
Develop innovative approaches to engage senior volunteers
Address systemic barriers that contribute to the social exclusion of seniors
For more information, visit Funding: New Horizons for Seniors Program – pan-Canadian projects.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For media enquiries, please contact: Lars Wessman, Office of the Minister of Seniors, 873-396-0742, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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