Do you have an idea to improve your community?
Ontario Community Changemakers is a leadership and micro-grant program for young civic innovators with bold ideas to activate public space, enhance civic engagement and foster social inclusion.
The program, now in its third year, is powered by 8 80 Cities and funded by Balsam Foundation.
Ontario Community Changemakers strives to serve as a launchpad for emerging community leaders and create a network for young civic innovators and public space advocates who reflect the diversity of people and geography of Ontario.
The organization is seeking applications from residents aged 19 to 35 with innovative ideas to activate public space, enhance civic engagement, and/or foster social inclusion.
The program is unique in that it offers both leadership development and training and a $5,000 microgrant to implement an idea.
This year the program will feature an in-person studio and ongoing virtual coaching and capacity building, the organization said in a news release.
The studio curriculum will feature presentations and storytelling workshops by inspiring community leaders, as well as skills-building workshops on project planning, community engagement, communication, and tactical urbanism.
You can learn more about the studio at this link.
The OCC program says it strongly encourages applications from BIPOC applicants and individuals with lived experiences currently underrepresented in the placemaking sector.
The program is seeking applications from people age 19 to 35 from communities of all sizes, including rural communities, small towns, cities, and First Nations territories.
To apply to the Ontario Community Changemakers program, submit an application by May 14 at 11:59 pm EDT (10:59 CDT) at the application link here.
