by Eliza Gardiner, HRISC Chair

Applications due: November 22, 2024 and May 15 2025

Do you have an idea for a project or activity that would strengthen the capacity of our members, increase awareness, or bring about progressive solutions to critical issues facing the post-secondary sector and faculty?

The Union Activism Fund supports VIUFA members wishing to lead, facilitate or coordinate such activities. All categories of VIUFA members are equally welcome to apply, including instructional/non-instructional, regularized, and non-regularized.

VIUFA has up to $10,000 budgeted, with $2,000 designated for up to five successful proposals each fiscal year. The fund may be divided into portions unique to proposals, depending on the number, quality, and relevance of the applications received. The project or activity must be completed within the fiscal year that funding is received.

Suitable projects and activities must be focused on the theme of either Social Justice or Decolonization and Reconciliation, and could address topics such as: institutional racism; anti-racism; deconstructing colonial ideologies; addressing unbalanced power dynamics; human rights; gender equity; labour rights; valuing Indigenous ways of knowing, and revitalising relationships.

Successful proposals will focus on honouring diverse cultural approaches, collectivity, and solidarity, and on creating spaces that are inclusive, respectful, and educational.

How to apply

  1. A description (two pages maximum) of the project/event/initiative that
  • defines the qualities and components that align with either theme (Social Justice or Decolonization and Reconciliation)
  • illustrates how the project will engage VIU campus communities with inclusive, collegial, and accessible, workshops, panels, discussions, presentations, series, guest speakers, creative and scholarly sessions that enhance union activism.
  • expresses the qualifications/background of non-VIUFA member participants
  • provides an overview of the project’s timeline (planned events, activities, etc.), and outlines the connections between the project’s objectives and timeline.
  1. A budget for the project/event/initiative. Planned expenses cannot include payment to faculty members or capital expenses. However, the budget can include:
  • payment of students to assist in planning and implementation
  • payment of honouraria to guests, key contributors, or service providers
  • marketing and promotion
  • supplies and materials
  • travel
  • hospitality
  1. A letter of support from at least one on-campus or off-campus partner, person, committee, organisation or group, that addresses the benefits of the project and how it contributes to reviving the rights, respect, cooperation and partnerships necessary for union activism to flourish and achieve change.

The Union Activism Fund Committee will review all applications and recommend to the VIUFA Executive the projects to be funded.

Please note that successful applicants will be asked to submit a brief progress or final report following fiscal year end (March 31, 2025), to be shared with the VIUFA membership prior to the April AGM.

Please submit completed application to staff@viufa.ca or address to:

VIUFA Union Activism Fund Committee Chair,
Bldg. 460, Room 108
900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo BC V9R 5S5