Question Period Note: VETERAN AND FAMILY WELL-BEING FUND

VETERAN AND FAMILY WELL-BEING FUND

• Veterans Affairs Canada fosters strong collaboration and supports innovation through the Veteran and Family Well-being Fund.

• The Fund provides grants and contributions to organizations striving to improve the well-being of Veterans and their families through innovative projects, initiatives and research.

• Eligible organizations include non-profits/charities, research and educational institutions, including Indigenous organizations.

• The Fall 2021 call for applications focused on projects that support Veterans during the post COVID-19 recovery. This includes addressing homelessness, employment, retraining, health challenges, and women and LGBTQ2 Veterans.

BACKGROUND – VETERAN AND FAMILY WELL-BEING FUND

Each year Veterans Affairs Canada receives numerous requests and proposals for funding from outside organizations in support of initiatives and projects that are aimed at improving the health and well-being of Veterans and their families. Many times, these proposals seek funding to conduct research or to develop, test, and implement new and innovative programs and services that will target various sub-groups of Veterans Affairs Canada’s target populations.

The Well-being Fund provides a strategic approach to ensure that Veterans Affairs Canada has the capacity to support innovation in Veteran health and well-being, and prevents duplication of service and program delivery, as well as fill gaps.

The Fund has been in place since 2018. It provides grants and contributions for organizations to conduct research, and implement initiatives and projects that support the well-being of Veterans and their families.

2018-19 Call for Applications: 155 applications received and 21 projects were funded totaling $3 million.

2019-2020 Call for Applications: 114 applications received and 22 projects were funded totaling $4.8 million.

2020-2021 Call for Applications: 142 applications received and 23 projects were funded totaling $4 million.

Budget 2021 provided $15 million over three years to fund projects that support Veterans during the post COVID-19 recovery. The Fall 2021 call for applications focused on this theme, which includes addressing homelessness, employment, retraining, health challenges, and women and LGBTQ2 Veterans.

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