Co-op offers green grants

Last year, a group of Calgary students received funds to transform an empty outdoor courtyard into an outdoor classroom and some Nanaimo green thumbs were given cash to turn an asphalt plot into a garden.

Now non-profit groups in the Okanagan Valley are being urged to apply for funds from this same program, offered by Federated Co-operatives Limited.

“It's open to anyone in B.C.,” said Jay Keis, sales manager of the Armstrong Regional Co-operative.

The Co-op runs the Community Spaces program which plans to dole out up to $2 million in grants to non-profit groups that apply with initiatives to protect, beautify and improve spaces in Western Canada.

It will support help recreation, environmental conservation or urban agricultural projects.

Made up of 200 retail co-operatives, FCL provides central wholesaling, manufacturing and administrative services to its member-owners.

Applications can be made online between Feb. 1 to Mar. 1.