Bursaries

In 2019, the Bursaries program helped rural participants attend the first Connect Money Impact event at Vancouver Island University. Photo courtesy of Social Enterprise Catalyst (seCatalyst).

Building Skills, Connections, and Community Leadership

Funding to support community leaders to build skills and connections through training, certification, and conferences in community economic development.

At a glance: 

  • Up to $1,000
  • For leaders from rural, Indigenous, and remote communities to access opportunities often based in cities

Download Application Form

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Our Program Goals

This program is a good fit if you are: 

  • Actively engaged in community economic development work, or entering or transitioning into an economic development role 
  • Working in or for a rural, First Nations, or remote-located community in the Trust’s service region

Frequently Asked Questions

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What do we fund?

We provide bursaries focused on one or more of our eight Investment Priorities.

Bursaries can be used for:

  • Training and certification (courses, workshops, training programs, professional development)
  • Learning and networking events (conferences, seminars, and other events focused on skills-building and connecting with peers)

The learning you gain is meant to flow back into community economic development across our region.

Where can courses or events be located?

Anywhere. We fund people from our region to access training and learning events wherever they are held, including the city-based opportunities that can be hardest to reach. What matters is that you live or work in a rural or First Nations community in the Trust’s service region and that the learning benefits community economic development here. See Our Region for a map.

How much can we fund?

We fund up to $1,000 per bursary for course fees and travel expenses.

How do I apply for funding

We have a continuous intake with no posted deadlines. Once we have received a complete application, our CEO will review and provide a funding decision.

To learn more about our process, see How We Fund – Our Funding Process for Knowledge and Leadership.

When you apply, you’ll need the following:

  • Training or conference details and dates
  • Costs and request amount
  • Short statement of relevance and learning outcomes
  • Basic eligibility information

Start the Conversation

We welcome you to reach out before you start a bursary application, while your plans for attending a course or learning event are taking shape. Before you do, it helps to have reviewed our Application Form.

We’re available by phone or online, and we’re glad to meet in your community.

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Denice Regnier

Manager, Programs & Corporate Affairs


250-871-7797 denice@islandcoastaltrust.ca