According to a Sept. 4 government news release, applications for the 2025-26 Anti-Racism Grants are now open. The grants are worth a total of $275,000 and are available to various groups and organizations deemed eligible.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., Oct. 17.
According to a separate information page, applicants could include registered charities, advocacy groups, educational institutions and municipalities, as well as Indigenous governments, bands, councils and non-profits, and non-profit organizations, institutions and associations.
For projects to be deemed eligible, they must include “activities” promoting anti-racism education and awareness, community support and “changes to organizational governance that help address racism.”
Of those activities, two would involve interaction with the province’s justice system: one is the promotion of interventions for youth that encourage positive relationships between communities and the criminal justice system. The other involves initiatives that help racialized and Indigenous people “thrive in the community” after involvement with the justice system.
Others include:
- Targeting online hate and promoting digital literacy;
- Implementing seminars, workshops, training or mentorship projects addressing racism;
- Creating and maintaining “historical resources” addressing systemic racism in P.E.I.;
- Promoting “social participation” and reducing barriers in community-based sport, art and culture;
- Enhancing an organization’s ability to promote anti-racism;
- Creating opportunities for anti-racism mentorships;
- Building anti-racism policies and strategies;
- Strengthening projects and advocacy;
- Enhancing “capacity-building” for racialized communities and organizations — with emphasis given to projects supporting Indigenous people, racialized women, youth, seniors, gender-diverse people, those with disabilities, religious minorities and those in the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz extolled the virtues of the grants program.
“One of our government priorities is implementing the Anti-Racism Action Plan by improving social, economic, educational, and health outcomes for racialized and Indigenous people living in Prince Edward Island,” said Lantz in a statement. “By continuing to fund these grants, we are reaffirming our commitment to building a more inclusive province, as our population grows and diversifies.”
The action plan to which Lantz refers was released in June 2023 and spans 2023 to 2028; it was launched in a bid to improve the economic, social, educational and health outcomes of racialized and Indigenous residents.
A news release from the time notes the plan’s “engagement process” resulted in the identification of three key pillars: inclusive culture and community cohesion; Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) representation and advancement; and the review of legislation, leadership and programs.
A request made to P.E.I.’s government for further details about the grants was not returned by press time.
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