Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Municipal Affairs
February 25, 2016

Supporting Age-Friendly Communities

Applications Available for Age-Friendly Grants Program

Applications are now available for the Provincial Government�s Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Community Grants Program, which helps incorporated municipalities, Aboriginal governments, communities and organizations throughout the province plan for an aging population. An age-friendly community is one where the physical and social environments enable older individuals to live in a secure setting, enjoy health and continue to participate fully in society.

�Our government is committed to helping seniors enjoy healthy, active lives � at home, in their communities, for as long as they can. We also recognize that an age-friendly community is of benefit to people of all ages. When we enable all citizens to participate fully in our communities, it improves our collective well-being as a society.�
- The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The World Health Organization has identified eight key areas in which communities can become more age-friendly: outdoor space and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support.

There are two components to the provincial Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Community Grants Program: support for new communities to establish a committee and complete a community assessment, and support for current age-friendly communities which want to complete initiatives identified in the assessment phase.

�This program helps us to better plan for our aging population by keeping everyone, from all age groups, engaged and connected in community discussions about planning and development. An age-friendly community is a stronger community and I encourage our municipalities and seniors� organizations to learn more about the program and how to make their communities more age-friendly.�
-The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs

The guidelines and applications for both components of the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Community Grants Program can be viewed at: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/grants/age_friendly.html. The deadline to apply is March 21, 2016.

QUICK FACTS

• Applications are now available for the Provincial Government�s Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants Program, which helps incorporated municipalities, Aboriginal governments, communities and organizations throughout the province plan for an aging population.
• There are two components to the program: support for new communities to establish a committee and complete a community assessment, and support for current age-friendly communities which want to complete initiatives identified in the assessment phase.
• The guidelines and applications for both components of the program can be viewed here: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/grants/age_friendly.html.
• The deadline to apply for the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Community Grants Program is March 21, 2016.

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Media contacts:

Heather May Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca

Kevin Guest Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983 709-730-2320 kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca

2016 02 25                             1:45 p.m.