Re-envisioning the Into the Greenbelt Grant Program

The Greenbelt Foundation’s Into the Greenbelt Grant Program provides newcomers, underserved communities and young people in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) with opportunities to explore Ontario’s Greenbelt, directly engaging participants in agricultural and outdoor recreation activities and nature-based learning experiences. With increasing demand for these experiences, the Foundation seeks to re-envision the Program. This report summarizes the process and recommends a model to improve program delivery and expand audiences, including providing Indigenous-led experiences and engaging local First Nations Communities and Indigenous Peoples.  

A survey of target audiences identified several barriers to accessing natural and agricultural systems within the Greenbelt including:

• Cultural and socio-economic barriers
• Limited awareness of local greenspaces
• Perceptions of safety
• Lack of culturally relevant programming
• Language barriers
• Limited representation and role models to introduce youth to outdoor activities
• Physical accessibility and mobility limitations

Indigenous participants and organizations further identified urbanization and displacement from traditional lands as key challenges to accessing natural spaces.

During follow up interviews, participants expressed strong interest in and enthusiasm for the potential of Into the Greenbelt to provide meaningful, inclusive experiences for all Ontarians, particularly newcomers, underserved communities, and youth. 

The report sets out the following strategic directions to guide the re-visioning of the Into the Greenbelt program.

Program Goals and Objectives

Recommendations