The City of Nelson is committed to a sustainable future that includes a productive economy, well-protected environment, healthy citizens, and strong cultural connections. The City has four sustainability pillars; culture, economy, environment and social, which Council targets to fund equally.

The best documents to refer to for the City of Nelson’s priority areas is the Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy and the City's Climate Action Plan, Nelson Next.

Each application should relate to these priority areas and will be considered based on:

1. The overall impact of the project to the whole community;
2. Whether the project meets the City’s sustainability goals;
3. Whether the project addresses current gaps in service;
4. Whether events should be wholly subsidized by the City or whether those who are in need should receive the subsidy to attend;
5. Whether the project is on-going or one-time.

Projects that align with the City’s goals are favourably viewed in the adjudication process. It may be useful for applications to review City planning documents.

• Active Transportation Plan (PDF)
• Affordable Housing Strategy (PDF)
• City’s Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy (PDF)
• City’s Sustainable Waterfront and Downtown Master Plan (PDF)
• Low Carbon Path to 2040 Community Energy and Emissions Action Plan (PDF)

For projects relating to the Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors, applicants may reference both the Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy and Council’s Comprehensive Cultural Policy.

Council has set a soft target to fund the City’s four core pillars of sustainability equally: Environment; Social; Culture; and Economy.

Applicants are first required to:

1. Carefully read through the application guide and worksheet in advance of submitting a proposal. Please visit the RDCK website for further information regarding the online application system. 
2. Review the City of Nelson’s Guidelines.
3. Review Council Policy. 
4. Consider these key points:
   • Community initiatives that will benefit areas outside the City of Nelson must clearly show on the application form what funding has been requested from the other electoral districts.
   • Complete and solid supporting financial information is required for all project proposals.
   • Applicants should show any other funding available for the proposed project.
   • Applicants must demonstrate alignment between the project goals and the City’s Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy goals and objectives.
   • The end result of any project proposal should not displace higher levels of government funding. This means that the provision of ReDi funds to the project should not inadvertently result in higher levels of Government (Provincial or Federal) downloading their responsibilities to Local Government.

After the review, applicants should:

Visit the ReDi Page on the Columbia Basin Trust website to access more information and the 2026 Online Project Application Form. Please note, with regard to the online application, applicants are encouraged to carefully read through the Application Guide and the Application Worksheet.

1. Provide a 1 to 2 page attachment to the ReDi Project Application Form that illustrates how the proposed project aligns with City of Nelson sustainability strategies, goals and objectives including Nelson Next. 
2. Supply written support from other community organizations if possible.
3. Submit application directly to the RDCK, via the ONLINE APPLICATION system (not to the City of Nelson).