How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 30000000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding?

FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding is funded by The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC)

What are FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding's eligibility criterias?

First Nations-owned companies or Indigenous entrepreneurs in BC Small area-based tenure holders (e.g., community forest agreement holders, woodlot licensees) that do not own or control dimensional softwood lumber manufacturing facilities Fibre suppliers or purchasers of non-sawlog fibre who do not own or control a dimensional softwood lumber manufacturing facility

FESBC — 2025-27 Fibre Utilization Funding

Last Update: June 20, 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)

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:

$ 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

$ 16,000

Implementing bilingual online booking for therapy services expansion

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.