Funding: Canada Service Corps Micro-grants stream

The Government of Canada is launching a call for proposals (CFP) under the Canada Service Corps that will provide funding for diverse organizations across the country to support local action on federal priorities to improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of communities. This CFP identifies the engagement of Indigenous and under-served youth as a key program focus and the need to increase the level of participation of these youth in the program.

Funding for approved projects will begin in 2022-23 and projects should focus on one or more of the following service themes:

• reconciliation;
• building an inclusive Canada;
• preserving the environment;
• promoting civic and democratic engagement;
• strengthening youth resilience; and/or
• potential new themes identified by youth.

Organizations must also confirm that they will be able to provide a safe and inclusive environment that is free from racism, harassment and discrimination for program participants and others in the organization.

Funding for organizations with recent experience working with youth, including youth from Indigenous and under-served populations, to deliver supports to youth and provide them with small, one-time cash payments to carry out innovative, youth-led community service projects.

The Canada Service Corps (CSC) promotes civic engagement among young people from 15 to 30 years old through access to meaningful volunteer service that help them gain essential life skills and experience.

Objective of the CFP

The objective of this CFP is to continue to expand the CSC program and strengthen diversity. This goal is aligned with the Government of Canada’s commitment to youth programming and the pledge to equity, diversity and inclusion through the new Anti-racism Strategy. This CFP identifies the engagement of Indigenous and underserved youth as a key program focus and the need to increase the level of participation of these youths in the program.

Objective of the Micro-grants stream

The objective of this stream is to fund organizations to deliver supports to youth and provide them with small, one-time cash payments (“micro-grants”) to carry out innovative, youth-led community service projects. Participants would develop a budget plan and receive funds up to a maximum of $5,000 per participant to undertake their project and through this experience, would develop skills such as leadership, planning and budgeting skills among others.

The government will invest up to $5,000,000 in 2022-23 in Grants and Contributions (Gs&Cs) to fund micro-grants through the Canada Service Corps. Some of this funding will be spent on current contribution agreements to support the continuation of existing programming with the remainder supporting the establishment of projects through this CFP. The government will invest up to $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 in Gs&Cs to fund micro-grants through the CSC with this funding supporting projects funded through this CFP. Eligible organizations can receive up to a maximum of $3M annually to deliver CSC Micro-grants.

Projects under the Micro-grants stream will be required to:

• Support youth-led projects by soliciting applications and identifying potential recipients, assessing projects, supporting youth in their service projects, funding, and monitoring projects including how funds are spent
• Provide a micro-grant of up to $5,000 per participant, or group of youths, who identify a project that needs a small amount of financial aid in order to cover project-related costs. Youth will be expected to take ownership of an issue, propose a solution and implement it at the local level

Project proposals must also describe:

• How they will provide youth with the knowledge and tools to engage in service
• How they will promote and deliver micro-grants, including how they will work with their network of partners
• Their plan to reach/enrol and support Indigenous and underserved youth to meet the target of 50% Indigenous and underserved youth per project
• How they will support youth in developing and delivering youth-led projects
• How the organization will collect data and report on results
• How they will manage the distribution of funds to youth to cover service project costs
• If applicable, how they will plan to encourage youth to participate and successfully complete youth-led projects, including using methods and/or non-financial incentives

Log in with Google

OR

Get Started to Apply