FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding
Last Update: July 22, 2025
BC, Canada
Supports innovative fibre utilization projects on BC provincial crown land
FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $30,000,000
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Public administration
Grant Providers
- The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC)
Program status
Open
Overview of the FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding program
The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding offers up to $30 million over three years to support projects that increase the use of low-value or residual fibre from provincial crown land. The program funds activities focused on delivering uneconomic residual fibre to non-sawlog processing facilities, including the recovery of fibre from wildfire- or insect-damaged stands and minimizing emissions from open burning.
Financing terms and conditions
- Total funding allocation of $30 million over three years for all approved projects under the program.
- FESBC funds only the differential between the cost of operations and the market value of the end product (Incremental Net Costs).
- Net costs for approved projects may be reviewed and adjusted semi-annually to align with current markets and costs.
- Funding approvals are for the fiscal year designated in the approval, and all funds must be expended within that fiscal year.
Eligible projects & activities
- Projects that increase the use of uneconomical residual fibre by delivering it to non-sawlog processing facilities.
- Initiatives focused on utilizing fibre from stands damaged by wildfire or insects.
- Efforts involving the removal of overstorey to enable delivery of uneconomic fibre to approved facilities.
- Projects that support innovation and diversification in the forest sector for the use of low-value fibre.
- Activities that minimize emissions from open burning by redirecting waste fibre to secondary manufacturing facilities such as pulp mills, pellet plants, or energy complexes.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 16,000
Implementing bilingual online booking for therapy services expansion
$ 34,000
Replacing outdated lighting with high-efficiency LED systems
$ 40,000
Upgrading accessible washrooms to universal barrier-free standards
$ 24,800
Developing a mobile application for real-time language learning support
$ 60,000
Launching a sustainable food packaging line with compostable trays
$ 29,000
Installing a rooftop greenhouse for educational organic gardening
Eligibility criteria of the FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding program
- The applicant must be a First Nation (band, Treaty First Nation, or Indigenous Government with land/resource authority) in British Columbia.
- Companies owned fully or partially by First Nation governments or Indigenous entrepreneurs are eligible.
- Applicants may be small area-based tenure holders such as Community Forest Agreement holders and Woodlot Licensees.
- Forest tenure holders, fibre suppliers, or purchasers of non-sawlog fibre who do not own or control a dimensional softwood lumber manufacturing facility are eligible.
- Provincial government agencies (such as the Ministry of Forests or other provincial entities) and local governments (municipalities or regional districts) in British Columbia are eligible.
Who is eligible?
- First Nations (bands, Treaty First Nations, and Indigenous Governments with land and resource authority) in British Columbia
- Companies wholly or partially owned by First Nation governments or Indigenous entrepreneurs
- Small area-based tenure holders, including Community Forest Agreement holders and Woodlot Licensees
- Forest tenure holders, fibre suppliers, or purchasers of non-sawlog fibre without ownership or control of dimensional softwood lumber manufacturing facilities
- Ministry of Forests and other provincial government agencies
- Local governments (municipalities or regional districts) in British Columbia
Who is not eligible
- Companies or tenure holders that manufacture dimensional softwood lumber.
Eligible expenses
- Incremental delivery costs for transporting uneconomic residual fibre to non-sawlog facilities, including skidding/forwarding, processing, loading, hauling, road maintenance fees, onsite grinding/chipping, and stumpage (validated as per recent rates).
- Other incremental costs directly related to fibre delivery, if deemed acceptable by FESBC.
- Project administration costs required to complete FESBC project planning and reporting requirements.
- GST, if applicable.
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia provincial crown land
Eligibility criteria of the FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding program
- Cost effectiveness of the project (measured as dollars per cubic metre).
- Level of First Nations involvement in the project.
- Utilization of uneconomic fibre from fire and insect damaged stands.
- Innovative end products, methods, or equipment proposed to improve delivery efficiency.
- Quality of the application and adherence to application requirements.
How to apply to the FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding program
- Step 1: Review Program Guide and Requirements
- Download and study the FESBC 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding Program Guide and the FESIMS Guide for Submitting a Proposal.
- Ensure your project aligns with the funding program's objectives and requirements.
- Contact FESBC staff for any clarifications needed on the application process or requirements.
- Step 2: Register and Access FESIMS Portal
- Create an account or log in to the Forest Enhancement Society Information Management System (FESIMS) portal.
- Ensure you are a registered user, or obtain written authorization if you are submitting on behalf of an eligible applicant.
- Step 3: Prepare Application Package
- Complete the FESBC 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Incremental Cost Calculation Template, including detailed cost information and delivery schedule.
- Prepare required maps in PDF format (and kml/kmz files) showing project locations and relevant boundaries.
- Gather supporting documentation (e.g., verification of fibre utilization within the economic radius, status of cutting authorities, written support from the Ministry of Forests if applicable).
- Compile objectives, project area details, comprehensive cost estimates, timelines, and intended results as required in the FESIMS portal sections.
- Step 4: Submit Application via FESIMS
- Upload the completed application package, including all templates, maps, and supporting documents, to the FESIMS portal.
- Fill out all required fields and ensure the accuracy and completeness of your submission.
- Step 5: Application Review and Assessment
- Await FESBC's review of your application against key selection criteria.
- Be prepared to provide additional information or clarification if requested by FESBC staff during the assessment process.
- Step 6: Notification of Funding Decision
- Receive verbal and written notification from FESBC staff regarding the funding decision.
- If approved, review any attached terms or conditions provided by FESBC.
- Step 7: Enter Recipient Agreement and Project Planning
- Enter into a Recipient Agreement with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as required.
- Submit detailed Project Plans with identified milestones through FESIMS.
- Secure all required land manager authorizations before commencing any project activities.
- Step 8: Reporting and Monitoring
- Complete mandatory reporting requirements, including submitting milestone claims, invoices, proof of completion, and other documentation as stipulated by FESBC and PwC.
- Participate in audits or site inspections if requested during or after project implementation.
Additional information
- All applicants must be registered users or create an account in the FESIMS portal to submit applications.
- Recipients may be subject to audits or site visits during the project term and for up to three years after funding distribution.
- FESBC and the Government of B.C. must be acknowledged in project communications and materials as specified in the funding agreement.
- Confidentiality is observed for all application documents, but submissions are subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Contact The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC)
office@fesbc.ca
1.877.225.2010
Apply to this program
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