BYI Indigenous and Black Youth Community Action Grant 2025: (Deadline 25 May, 2025)

Applications are open for the BYI Indigenous and Black Youth Community Action Grant 2025. After a yearlong break of learning, strategizing, rest and regrouping, the Black Youth Initiative (BYI) are stoked to bring forward the fourth cycle of funding. The hope is to continue applying the learnings and teachings they have gained to further uplift their communities.

In the first cycle, their intention was to create accessible ways for Indigenous and Black community-minded youth in BC to get funded during COVID-19 lockdowns. The second cycle continued to intentionally support Indigenous and Black youth especially focusing on community organizers, grassroots activists, student organizers, birthworkers, sexworkers, victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), among others. The third cycle was focused on the continuity of this much needed support as well as expanding our reach beyond the urban landscape.

Cycle 4 builds on the momentum of the precious learning and efforts they have seen and heard from Indigenous and Black youth. Through this cycle they want to encourage intercommunal collaboration, deepen a sense of solidarity and reach youth who are still on the margins of funding spaces.

Funding

• Individual fund award: $1,000 CAD
• Group fund award: $2,000 CAD

Eligibility

• Open to Indigenous and Black youth residing in what’s colonially known as “British Columbia.” 
• People identifying as Black; a descendent of the African/Caribbean Black diaspora; Black-mixed; Afro-LatinX; or Black Indigenous person.
• People identifying as Indigenous to Turtle Island, currently residing in so-called “British Columbia”.
• Priority will be given to folks between 18-30 years old.
• Applicants who have previously received funding in Cycles 1, 2, or 3 are not eligible to apply.

Application

They prioritize accessibility, do not feel held back by “grant writing” language. Feel free to write as colloquially, detailed and coherently as possible. For folks who prefer to answer the form in audio or video form you have the option to attach audio and video to your application.

• Describe your intended project to them:

*Word count: 300-500 words or Audio/Video: Max 5 minutes

Here are some of the things to touch on:

• Name of project – if subject to change or temporary you may let us know on the application
• Individual project or group project – how many group members will you have, a bit about other group members i.e. names, pronouns, roles, etc
• Is this a newly conceptualized project or an ongoing one?
• What the project aims to do/ achieve for you or your community or yourself
• What are you most looking forward to in your project?
• Anything else they should know about you or your group?

Deadline: 25 May, 2025

For more information, visit BYI Grant.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE & APPLY