Government of Canada launches call for proposals for community projects to support seniors

Organizations are invited to apply for funding through a simplified application process

OTTAWA, ON, September 21, 2022 /CNW/ – Seniors make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and society. That is why the government of Canada supports service organizations that help seniors stay active and engaged in their communities. This is the key to increasing their well-being and quality of life. It empowers them and allows them to expand their social network and create new learning experiences.

Today, canada minister for seniors, Kamal Chera, launched the 2022–2023 call for proposals for community-based projects under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The Minister made the announcement during a visit to the Olde Forge Community Resource Center in Ottawa.

NHSP funding creates opportunities for seniors to be more connected, supported and active members of their communities. This year’s national priorities aim to do just that by focusing on projects that:

1. support healthy aging;

2. prevent elder abuse;

3. celebrate diversity and promote inclusion; and

4. help seniors age in place.

Through a simplified application process, organizations will be invited to submit project proposals that will help seniors overcome the pandemic and continue to play an important role in their communities.

The 2022-2023 NHSP Community-Based Call is open through November 1, 2022.

For details on how to apply, see https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/new-horizons-seniors.html. Senior organizations can access support to prepare their application and manage their agreement.

quotes

“Programs like the New Horizons for Seniors program are essential to helping Canadian seniors stay active and share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others. This not only encourages their personal growth, but also fosters community prosperity. The Government reaffirms its commitment to creating positive change and improving the lives of seniors from coast to coast.”
– minister for seniors, Kamal Chera

The story goes on

“Each year, the New Horizons for Seniors program makes a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors across Canada. When seniors are able to fully participate in society and lead healthy lives, everyone benefits. This program builds on our government’s ongoing commitment to empower seniors and strengthen their connection within their communities.”
– Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Senior Citizens, Darren Fischer

Fast Facts

• Seniors are one of the fastest growing age groups in Germany Canada. By 2030, the number of seniors is expected to reach 9.4 million, accounting for nearly a quarter canada Population.

• The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a government grant and contribution program whose goal is to support projects that help seniors stay active and engaged in the community. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.

• NHSP funding supports projects that engage seniors in their communities and address one or more of the program’s five goals: community participation, volunteerism, mentoring, raising awareness of elder abuse and providing capital assistance.

• The call for proposals is open from September 21, 2022until November 1, 2022. Organizations are invited to apply for funding through a simplified application process.

• Since its inception in 2004, the NHSP has funded more than 33,500 projects in hundreds of communities Canadawith a total government of Canada Investment of more than $720 million.

• Budget 2022 proposed an additional 20 million dollars over two years, beginning in 2022-2023, to support more projects that improve the lives of seniors and help them continue to participate fully in their communities.

Associated Document

Backgrounder: New Horizons for Seniors program.

Related Links

Applicant Guide: Community-Based Projects (up to $25,000)
programs and services for seniors
New Horizons for Seniors Program: Engaging Seniors, Strengthening Communities

background

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a government grant and contribution program that funds projects that empower seniors in their communities and help improve the health and well-being of seniors.

Seniors lead and inspire projects to transform the lives of others and their communities.

The goals of the NHSP are:

• to encourage volunteering among seniors and other generations;

• Involve seniors in the community in mentoring through mentoring others;

• raise awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;

• supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors; and

• Providing capital support for new and existing community projects and programs for seniors.

The NHSP provides seniors with access to important recreational and social programs and initiatives that reflect the current realities of seniors and senior organizations. The program continues to empower and support seniors through specific program parameters, delivery and access to ensure their needs.

Since 2004, the NHSP has funded more than 33,500 projects in hundreds of communities, including projects related to COVID-19 Canada. The overall government of Canada The investment was more than 720 million US dollars. Program funding supports community-based projects and pan-Canadian projects.

Community-Based Projects
Community-based project funding supports activities in which seniors are engaged, connected and actively involved in their communities. Organizations can get up $25,000 in grant funding.

The NHSP’s 2022-23 community-based call for proposals allowed organizations to apply for funding that supports the NHSP’s national priorities for this cycle:

Priority 1: Support healthy aging including:

• Combating social isolation, including by promoting the digital literacy of seniors;

• combating age discrimination;

• mental health support and dementia; and

• development and provision of virtual programming for the aforesaid.

Priority 2: Preventing elder abuse, including:

• providing measures to reduce crime and harm against the elderly, including elder abuse;

• Development of educational materials to prevent seniors from doing unscrupulous practices, financial fraud and fraud; and

• Supporting the financial self-determination of seniors.

Priority 3: Celebrate diversity and promote inclusion, including:

• promoting intergenerational mentoring and engagement;

• Promote reconciliation with indigenous peoples and contribute to ensuring a better quality of life for indigenous seniors;

• Working with diverse communities (particularly by supporting members of the following vulnerable groups: low-income seniors, indigenous peoples, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, members of minority communities with an official language, members of racist and newcomer groups, people with disabilities and veterans); and

• Support for seniors living in rural or remote areas.

Priority 4: Helping seniors age, including:

• providing seniors with practical support, tools and resources to help them stay in their homes longer; and

• Assisting seniors in navigating and accessing government services and benefits and assisting in filing their taxes.

Visit the New Horizons for Seniors Program – Community-based projects website for more information.

Pan-Canadian Projects
Pan-Canadian projects test and share best practices across the country, replicating approaches that have proven successful in solving elder problems. The project partners work together to achieve measurable results to increase the social inclusion of seniors. The goals of collective impact projects funded by this stream are:

• building the collective capacity of organizations to identify and address barriers to the social inclusion of seniors;

• promoting increased access to information, programs and services for seniors in their communities;

• supporting action research to increase the level of social inclusion of seniors in their communities;

• developing innovative approaches to engage and retain older volunteers; and

• Address systemic barriers that contribute to the social exclusion of seniors.

For more information, see the Pan-Canadian Projects on the New Horizons for Seniors program website.

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/Septem2022/21/c9757.html