Community event with stalls and people mingling in an outdoor plaza.

Funding for Community Placemaking Program

We are no longer accepting applications for 2025. Check back for updates and future opportunities.

Goals of placemaking

Placemaking is when the community works together to design and use public spaces in ways that add meaning, identity, and value for everyone.

Placemaking is meant to:

Inspire people to work together to reimagine and reinvent public spaces
Help make physical improvements in public areas
Encourage activities that strengthen community ties and connections to places

Our Community Placemaking Program offers financial support to help you deliver placemaking projects that bring Vancouver’s public spaces to life.

This is your opportunity to reimagine and temporarily transform spaces into accessible, inspiring, inclusive, and fun experiences.

Application guidelines

2025 program details
- Successful applicants will receive up to $3,000 for their projects. Each applicant may submit only 1 application.
- IBPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, and other underrepresented residents, communities, and organizations are encouraged to apply and might be eligible for additional funding.
- Projects will go live between June and October 2025, and will take place in 1 or more public spaces.
- Proposed projects may be a single-day event or a series of two non-consecutive days.
- Projects can be a small event, temporary installations, or small beautification projects
- Applicants will be responsible for all aspects of their project, including:
  - Setting up and taking down
  - Getting relevant permits
  - Moving and storing materials
  - Securing insurance
  - Cleaning up after the project
Selection criteria
Proposals should:
- Encourage social connections and strengthen community ties
- Offer free access and ensure inclusivity, safety, and a welcoming environment for everyone
- Be interesting, fun, and engaging
- Allow for easy setup and mobility
- Stay within the allotted budget and timeframe
- Showcase uniqueness and creativity, making full use of the space
- Align with the City’s policies on equity, reconciliation, sustainability, and resiliency.
Approved locations

Plazas

Our neighbourhood plazas, including the rain-protected spaces under the north and south end of Cambie Bridge, are excellent options for public space programming and other small placemaking activities.

Review our map of neighbourhood plazas

A space in your community

You are the expert of your community.

Propose underused open spaces, laneways, or street blocks in your community that are suitable for a small placemaking project and can be easily closed off. We will review its feasibility and get back to you.

Parks, beaches, and community gardens are not eligible for this financial support.

Requirements for events and temporary structures

Review these guidelines to help prepare your proposal and comply with our regulations for events and temporary structures.

Guidelines for event initiatives

We are committed to hosting events and activations that add to the vibrancy and culture of our neighbourhoods.

Events categorized by complexity

In order to facilitate applications, events are categorized by complexity.

Review this table for your reference and to support your Community Placemaking submission:

Low complexity event	Medium complexity event
No street closures Event is at a neighbourhood plaza, plaza, or public space No liquor or food service (except prepackaged food) No large structures such as tents or stages over 4 feet or more than 645 square feet Roads already closed to vehicular traffic Review SEPH Appendix A (3.8 MB)	May include a street closure of more than 1 block May include food service and on-site prep More than 1 day Review SEPH Appendix B (3.8 MB)

Low complexity event

Medium complexity event

No street closures
Event is at a neighbourhood plaza, plaza, or public space
No liquor or food service (except prepackaged food)
No large structures such as tents or stages over 4 feet or more than 645 square feet
Roads already closed to vehicular traffic

Review SEPH Appendix A (3.8 MB)

May include a street closure of more than 1 block
May include food service and on-site prep
More than 1 day

Review SEPH Appendix B (3.8 MB)

Resources for event organizers

Guidelines for temporary structure initiatives

We define temporary installations as structures (often custom-made) that are placed in a public space for a predetermined period of time.
These installations are usually interactive, facilitate community connection and gathering, help people reimagine a space, and are a way to test new ideas.

Structural reviews and insurance requirements

Subtle and small-scale installations, which often do not require supervision, may not require structural reviews or insurance.
Medium and large-scale temporary installations are required to undergo structural design reviews and the applicants will need to secure insurance. We can support you through that process as needed.

Past projects

Photo albums from previous placemaking projects
Community gatherings and dialogues
Workshops and activities
Temporary features

Contact us

Email: placemaking@vancouver.ca

Funding for Community Placemaking Program

Goals of placemaking

Application guidelines

2025 program details

Selection criteria

Approved locations

Requirements for events and temporary structures

Past projects

Photo albums from previous placemaking projects

Contact us

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies