What is a Neighbourhood Association?

Empowering residents in decision making is crucial to fostering inclusive and effective local governance.

When decisions are made from the bottom up, communities are better able to voice their unique needs, priorities, and aspirations, ensuring that policies and action reflect the lived realities of those they impact. Neighbourhood Associations serve as important platforms for collaboration, giving residents the connections, relationships, and tools to work together in advocacy and action. Knowing more than six of your neighbors can also boost your mental and physical well-being.

Neighbourhood Associations are often volunteer based, grass-roots groups who meet up to plan and promote community-based activities that enhance the quality of life and cohesiveness within a specific area by fostering a sense of belonging among residents.

Check out our NA Planning Toolkit

If you are living in Ross Glen, Harlow, Riverside, or Kensington and want to join a Neighbourhood Association, email Shantel at shaott@medicinehat.ca(External link) to be connected to things starting in your area.

Register your Neighbourhood Association

What supports are available for organizing this?

Lending Library

Neighbourhood Associations has a lending library of helpful items for hosting events in your area.

• Giant Jenga
• Giant Connect 4
• Plastic Axe Throwing
• Ring Toss
• Corn Hole
• Giant Yahtzee
• Ladderball
• 6’ tables (12 of them available)
• 72 folding chairs

Lending Library Borrowing Agreement

Here are a few photos of the games!

Neighbourhood Connection Microgrants

One of the ways the City is empowering neighbourhood development is through microgrants. The Neighbourhood Connections(External link) microgrant(External link) provides up to $500 to community members for small-scale events that help build connections in Medicine Hat's 30+ neighbourhoods(External link).

Apply for a Neighbourhood Connection microgrant(External link)

We’ve made sure the grants are accessible to everyone. The application process is simple and ongoing with a 30-day review period. Anyone can apply, whether you're an individual or a group, and we provide direct support and feedback throughout the process. Share this with your friends and neighbours and apply today!

You might be wondering, what's the difference between Neighbourhood Associations and microgrants?

Neighborhood Associations are groups of residents who regularly plan and promote activities to enhance community connections and well-being. Microgrants, on the other hand, can be a great starting point for forming these associations, allowing you to test the waters and see if there's interest in ongoing connection.

Check out 50 Ways to Connect with your Neighbour(External link) for some connection ideas. This heat map shows where neighbourhood connection took place this year via the microgrant program!

In 2024 neighbourhood microgrants received 53 applications. 32 were approved (21 were declined because they were not neighbourhood-specific projects). The City allocated $12,000 to these events.

These events brought together 1,390 participants and 155 volunteers, who contributed 450 hours of their time.

Neighbourhoods hosted a variety of events including block parties, community beautification gatherings, workshops, BBQs, concerts, and cultural celebrations. These events helped residents meet new neighbours and strengthen community bonds.

Learn more about the Neighbourhood Association events and activities below.