The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) is pleased to announce the results of the “Reaching Each and Every One: A Community Sport Intervention” funding competition. This funding program, launched in September 2022, was made possible through CPRA’s successful application to the Government of Canada (Sport Canada) Community Sport for All Initiative.
In total, CPRA received 867 applications from 772 organizations from every province and territory in Canada. After rigorous review — based on the potential impact and feasibility evaluation criteria set out in the open and transparent call for funding — 351 organizations have now been offered funding support.
“This funding will empower the 351 funded organizations from across Canada to support grassroots programming that will remove barriers and increase participation rates in recreational sport for underrepresented groups,” said Martin Sampson, CPRA CEO. “This represents a financial injection of more than $6.8M to address priorities shared by CPRA and the Government of Canada. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for the leadership they have demonstrated in increasing access to recreational sport which has a myriad of benefits for Canadians.”
As outlined in CPRA’s call for funding, community recreational sport programs are key to physical, mental, intellectual, and social well-being. They have a major impact on many developmental aspects of our lives. They foster community participation, offer a sense of belonging to visible minorities, help recent immigrants integrate into Canadian communities, and increase physical activity, thereby boosting many protective factors and reducing many risk factors.
Accordingly, through the “Reaching Each and Every One: A Community Sport Intervention” funding program, organizations were eligible to apply for grants up to $50,000 to increase participation rates of Black, Indigenous, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQQIA+, low-income and newcomer populations, and people living with disabilities. Funded groups now have the ability to promptly initiate new community level interventions on programs, events, and policy changes: efforts that will reduce barriers and increase participation in recreational sport for the aforementioned underrepresented groups across the country.
For more information, see: cpra.ca/reeo
CPRA: The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) is a national organization dedicated to realizing the full potential of parks and recreation as a major contributor to community health and vibrancy. Membership includes the 13 provincial and territorial parks and recreation associations and their extensive networks of service providers in over 90% of Canadian communities. CPRA collaborates with a host of other national organizations operating in the recreation, physical activity, environmental, facilities, sport, public health, crime prevention and social services arenas. Since its inception in 1945, CPRA has become a credible and strong national leader in our sector. In addition to our advocacy on the benefits of parks and recreation, we provide our members with the information, resources and the professional development they can use to make a difference in their own community. Through broad-based community involvement, we find solutions to social challenges, influence policy direction and generate momentum towards community quality of life.
Government of Canada: This project has been made possible by the Government of Canada through the Community Sport for All Initiative. Removing barriers and increasing sport participation for underrepresented populations is a priority for the Government of Canada.
