Government Launches Prevention Innovation Grants

New grants are available to community groups and organizations with innovative ideas on how to prevent sexual violence.

The Prevention Innovation Grants are divided into two streams: up to $5,000 and up to $50,000. They are a commitment under government's Sexual Violence Strategy. $600,000 of these new, one-time grants will be made available this year and next, for a total investment of $1.2 million.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to enhance supports and services for victims and survivors of sexual violence, as well as preventing this type of violence from happening in the first place," said Joanne Bernard, Minister of Community Services. "I'm so pleased to launch the Prevention Innovation Grants, which I know will help spur new and creative solutions to this issue throughout the province. I am especially excited to see what the youth in Nova Scotia put forward."

The grants will support community groups and organizations, including youth and underserved populations such as African Nova Scotians, First Nations, and the LGBTQ community, reach out to their peers, and help put creative prevention initiatives into practice.

"No one wants to be a victim or perpetrator of sexual violence-yet sexual violence is so prevalent in our society," said Julie Veinot, executive director of the Lunenburg County Sexual Health Centre. "That means we must work to prevent this insidious form of violence, not only for us, but for all the children coming behind us who deserve to see sexuality as a positive aspect of life."

Application forms are available for download at http://novascotia.ca/coms/svs/prevention-innovation-fund.asp .

Any questions about the application process can be emailed to strategy@novascotia.ca .

The deadline to submit grant applications is Jan. 15, 2016.