Regional Community to Community (C2C) Forum Program

The goal of a Regional C2C program is increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments. Starting in 2023/24, the C2C program supports this goal with funding for:

1. Forums that support dialogue to build relationships, support reconciliation efforts, resolve issues of common responsibility, interest or concern, and/or to advance tangible outcomes. For more information on C2C forums, refer to Appendix 1:https://www.ubcm.ca/sites/default/files/2023-08/LGPS_C2C-2023-24%20ProgGuide_2023-08.pdf#page=8
2. Development of agreements (such as protocols, MOUs, and service agreements), joint plans and/or strategies that advance First Nation/local government reconciliation and relationship building.
3. Joint review of bylaws and/or policies in order to develop recommendations for amendments or new bylaws and/or policies that advance reconciliation. 

To be eligible for funding, C2C activities must work toward one or more of the following objectives:

• Strengthening relationships and fostering future co-operative action by building stronger links between First Nation and local government elected officials and senior staff
• Supporting local reconciliation efforts, UNDRIP, and shared capacity building
• Developing or improving coordinated approaches to emergency preparation, mitigation, response and recovery, including recovery from the impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
  

Eligible Activities:

In order to qualify for funding:

• Activities must be completed within one year from the date of grant approval
• Willingness of the elected officials and/or senior staff of the partnering community to participate in the activities must be confirmed and provided in writing to UBCM.
• Activities must include direct participation by the elected officials and/or senior staff from both First Nation(s) and local government(s).
• The communities engaging in dialogue must be neighboring. However, “neighboring” may mean in the vicinity of, but not necessarily immediately adjacent to each other.
  

Eligible costs are direct costs that are approved by the UBCM, properly and reasonably incurred, and paid by the applicant to carry out eligible activities. Eligible costs can only be incurred from the date of application submission until the final report is submitted. Under the Regional C2C Forum program, eligible activities must be cost-effective and may include:

• Event organization (e.g. invitations, agendas, event planning, etc.)
• Event costs:
• Meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
• Venue/virtual rentals, including any required audio-visual equipment rentals
• Facilitation services and/or guest speakers
• Preparation of materials required for the forum, including printing costs
• Expenses related to joint visits to participant’s facilities, lands or buildings provided the visits occur as part of the forum
• Transportation between communities as required to attend a forum. Mileage estimates and calculations are required for vehicle travel.
  
• Completion of event minutes, reports, etc. including printing costs.

For additional information regarding eligible expenditures, see: https://www.ubcm.ca/sites/default/files/2023-08/LGPS_C2C-2023-24%20ProgGuide_2023-08.pdf#page=4

Potential dialogue topics: https://www.ubcm.ca/sites/default/files/2023-08/LGPS_C2C-2023-24%20ProgGuide_2023-08.pdf#page=2