CANConnect Diversity Micro-Grant Program 2024 (up to $5,000)Deadline: 15 November, 2024

Applications are open for the CANConnect Diversity Micro-Grant Program 2024. Funded by the Canada Service Corps (CSC) at Employment and Social Development of Canada and administrated by GLOCAL, the CANConnect Diversity Micro-grant Program aims to empower Canadian youth, especially the underserved youth, to initiative creative civic engagement projects nationwide. The program focuses on equipping participants with the resources, civic knowledge and digital skills to promote civic engagement and democratic participation in Canada through project-based initiatives.

CANConnect aims to distribute 160 micro-grants to 160 Canadian youth applicants from across Canada. These micro-grants serve as a means to empower youth and enable them to actively engage in civic activities that positively contribute to their communities. By providing resources and support, the program promotes civic awareness and democratic literacy among Canadian youth.

Grant Objectives

The objectives of the micro-grant diversity program for Canadian youth conducted by GLOCAL Foundation of Canada include:

• Empowerment through Civic Engagement: Providing microgrants to youth, empowering them to carry out creative civic engagement initiatives relevant to their local, regional, or community concerns. This encourages active participation in civic activities and promotes positive contributions to communities.
• Civic Awareness and Democratic Literacy: Promoting civic awareness and democratic literacy to youth with knowledge, skills, and experience in civic engagement and democratic participation. Encouraging initiatives that provide accurate information about Canadian democratic institutions, navigate the political system, and understand current and historical events in Canadian politics.
• Inclusivity and Community Contributions: Supporting participants in contributing to their local communities through creative projects that address local issues. The micro-grants facilitate the design of initiatives that promote inclusivity, community engagement, and a sense of belonging and ownership in their new home country.
• Awareness of Civic Information: Raising awareness about the accessibility of civic information and the challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and information overload. The program promotes media literacy and critical thinking skills among Canadian youth, enabling them to become discerning consumers of civic information and active participants in the democratic process.

Eligibility

• Project Lead must be:
  • A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or has been granted refugee status in Canada.
  • At least 15 years of age upon starting participation in the program and no older than 30 years of age at time of application.
• Team Members: This may include eligible peers or non-eligible members to enhance the project’s quality, impact, and inclusivity across regions, generations, and sectors.

Eligible Projects

They encourage entrepreneurship in delivering civic projects that are creative, interdisciplinary and cost-efficient, involving various elements such as:

• Research and Data Analysis/Visualization: Conduct thorough research to understand the issue and generate a set of research work for civic knowledge mobilization. Visualize data to raise public awareness.
• Community Engagement: Engage with community members, stakeholders, and the public to raise awareness and gather support.
• Social Media Outreach: Utilize social media platforms to mobilize civic knowledge, engage with the audience, and promote your project.
• Digitization Efforts: Develop digital tools (such as website, e-toolkit, gamification, etc.) or content to enhance civic participation and information accessibility.
• Policy Analysis: Analyze existing policies to inform and shape your project’s approach and objectives.
• Interviews and/or Documentary: Conduct in-person or virtual interviews and create documentaries to capture and share the stories and experiences of our diverse communities and Canadians.

Application

• Submit a detailed project proposal online.
• Include a budget plan and timeline.
• Demonstrate how the project aligns with the program’s goals.
• Demonstrate your ability to complete the project if you receive the funding.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit CANConnect Grants.