Nova Scotia announces funding for 13 anti-racism projects

Nova Scotia pledges $400,000 toward projects that address systemic hate, inequity and racism.

The Nova Scotia government has announced new funding in support of 13 community projects that address systemic hate, inequity, and racism.

The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism’s Community Network Grant program has been awarded $400,000 for 2025-26.

“The program provides funding to community-based organizations that are looking to make a real difference in the everyday lives of fellow Nova Scotians. We address systemic hate, inequity, and racism through these grants,” says Attorney General and Justice Minister, Scott Armstrong, at the provincial announcement in Truro Friday.

Armstrong is also the minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism.

He says they’ve received applications from more than 80 projects this year.

“What tells me that Nova Scotians deeply care about fairness, dignity and community, is the uptake in these grants.”

The funds will be distributed among the 13 chosen projects across the province, including the Truro Colchester Welcome Network Association, who will receive $40,000.

“This is what inclusion and retention looks like in practice, and with this investment, we’re going to be able to strengthen our effort,” says co-president of the association, AJ Bhatt.

Bhatt says the funding will help support newcomers in the region.

“Out of all the newcomers that come to Nova Scotia, only 3.45 per cent choose Colchester County as a residence, and only 65 per cent of them end up staying after two years. That has a major impact on our local economy,” he says.

“When newcomers come and stay, they pay taxes, they fill labor gaps, they start businesses. They also play a pivotal role in the health force. So, it is very, very critical for us to not just attract them, but also retain them in this area.”

Other recipients of the funding include:

• Front Street Community Oven Society
• Health Association of African Canadians
• Hike Nova Scotia Society
• Leading Leaders Society of Nova Scotia
• Lucasville Community Association
• Ndi Igbo Cultural Association
• St. George’s YouthNet Society
• St. Margarets Bay Pride/ Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia
• West Hants Pride Society.

Armstrong says after today’s announcement, the Anti-Racism’s Community Network Grant program has given almost one million dollars to community organizations since the program began three years ago.

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