National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2012: Funding Information
National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (NVCAW) is an annual outreach initiative of the Department of Justice Canada Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI). PCVI works towards improving the experience of victims of crime in the criminal justice system by pursuing a range of activities and initiatives.
The next NVCAW will take place from April 22 to 28, 2012. The theme for NVCAW 2012 is “Moving Forward”. This theme recognizes:
- Victims: Being a victim of crime can be a life-altering experience. How an individual may chose to move their life forward after being victimized will be unique to the person and the situation. All victims deserve to be treated with compassion and respect for their dignity as they move forward on their journey toward healing.
- Government: Over the past 30 years, Canada has made significant advances in the area of victim of crime issues. By working with partners in the provinces and territories as well as with victim service providers, the Government has ensured that victims have a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections systems. Building on this momentum will help us move forward and continue to make meaningful change for victims of crime.
- Victim services: Throughout Canada, there are countless dedicated people who work with victims of crime everyday. Victim services and the professionals and volunteers who provide them, help victims of crime move forward after a victimization, maintain hope for the future and rebuild their lives.
The key goal of NVCAW is to raise awareness about the issues facing victims of crime and about the services, assistance and laws in place to help victims and their families. The Week also acknowledges the work of victim service providers and their dedication to assisting victims of crime and their families.
Limited funding (up to $10,000 per organization) will be available from the Department of Justice Canada Victims Fund for projects that support the goals of NVCAW. These projects include those aimed at supporting events within communities or other activities during NVCAW that raise public awareness about victim issues. Organizations are encouraged to partner together on NVCAW projects. Partnering together could result in more than $10,000 being provided for a single project. If multiple organizations are partnering on a project for NVCAW, they are asked to submit only one application. The Department of Justice will only consider funding for one project per organization
Some examples of events and activities that could be organized during NVCAW include:
- Workshop or information sessions on victim issues or relevant topics;
- Public awareness events (e.g. volunteer recognition event; community walk; information kiosk; etc.);
- Public information flyers/brochures/pamphlets on available services to victims and their families and/or victim issues;
- Training for justice system professionals on victim needs;
- Special issue of a newsletter dedicated to NVCAW; and,
- Radio, newspaper or television ads promoting NVCAW and/or providing information on victim services.
For more event ideas and organization tips, you can consult the Resource Guide for NVCAW 2011 online at http://www.victimsweek.gc.ca The Resource Guide for NVCAW 2012 should be available by the end of December 2011.
Applying for NVCAW funding
To apply for funding, please submit a proposal using the NVCAW 2012 Funding Application Form. Your application must clearly describe how the proposed activity will help support the objectives of the Victims Fund and the goals of NVCAW.
The maximum amount of funding that can be provided by the Department of Justice Canada for each organization partnering on a proposed project cannot exceed $10,000. Given limited resources, and to ensure that many communities and organizations are supported, only one project per applicant will be given consideration. Geographic distribution, the collaborative nature of the proposed projects and how well projects reflect the NVCAW 2012 theme will be considered during the review process. Only applications that have been completed in full will be eligible for funding.
The federal government fiscal year starts on April 1 of a given year and ends March 31 the following year. Funding for NVCAW 2012 projects will be available up to March 31, 2012 for planning and organizing activities prior to the Week itself, as well as from April 1, 2012 to May 14, 2012 for hosting/supporting an event during the Week. In other words, funding that spans two fiscal years is being made available in order to give applicants some flexibility in planning/organizing prior to hosting events during NVCAW. The maximum amount of funding that can be provided by the Department of Justice Canada per organization, whether or not it spans more than one fiscal year, is $10,000.
The deadline to submit your funding application is November 7, 2011. Applications will only be accepted up to this date. As funding is limited each year, not all eligible applications can be approved.
Here are few helpful links/documents that outline funding guidelines and provide funding related information:
