Calling Canadian change-makers aged 18-30 years!
Are you ready to make a real impact in your community and tackle urgent climate and water challenges of today?
Youth 4 Resilient Communities (Y4RC) invites you to come together with youth from across the country to learn how to create impact in your community. National in design, Y4RC’s immersive experiences will build your skills, insights and networks across Canada’s climate and water challenges.
I want to Apply
Applications open for youth
Ages 18-30.
Deadline:Â Monday June 16th, 2025
I want to Learn More
Register for an Information Session
Thursday, May 8
at 12pm PT /Â 1pm MT / 2pm CT/ 3pm ET / 4pm AT
Thursday, May 29
at 9am PT / 10pm MT / 11pm CT/ 12pm ET / 1pm AT
From September 2, 2025 – Feb 27, 2026, be one of 80 young Canadians to learn new skills and perspectives as you travel in September 2025 to Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and in January 2026 Loon Lake, British Columbia to be immersed in extensive training & local experiences. These 2 in person training sessions will be the foundation for the development of your own community projects.
Themes, Skills & Training
Themes:
- Urban Agriculture & Food Security
- Extreme Water Events –Flooding and Droughts
- Water Quality & Drinking Water
- Learning from the Land: Indigenous Practice & Knowledge
- Stormwater Management & Nature Based Solutions
- Extreme Weather Events & Community Health
- Source Water & Point Source Solutions
Skills & Training:
- Adaptability
- Complex problem-solving
- Community-centric project implementation
- Design thinking
- Facilitation
- Effective peer support
- Impact assessment
- Community-awareness raising
- Storytelling, digital skills
- Scenario planning
- Network & Partnership Development
- Indigenous Perspectives
- Solution-making
What’s included?
In total participants will each spend 120 hours learning and action-taking in their communities.
- 2 extensive in-person learning experiences (travel, accommodation and meals covered)
–September 23-28, 2025 Sault Ste Marie Ontario
–January 19-23, 2026 Loon Lake, BC - Training and mentorship through a combination of online and in-person coaching
- Expansive network of active, engaged changemakers across the country
- Service Project in your community
- Some childcare support is available for those with a dependent (details in FAQs)
- Some laptops on loan are available for those requiring them (details in FAQs)
As a participant, you will:
- Expand your network: Participate with other youth working on resiliency initiatives in their communities and connect with knowledgeable mentors and community leaders from across the country.
- Explore pressing local issues: Understand the climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience needs of your own community.
- Gain valuable skills: Build a powerful toolbox of techniques and skills that will benefit your community and employability in the years ahead.
- Take impactful action: Turn knowledge into meaningful service projects that make a difference where you live.
Applications Open for Youth
Ages 18-30
Deadline: Monday June 16th, 2025
We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, and those living in rural or remote communities across Northern Turtle Island (today known as Canada).
Who Should Apply?
Indigenous or non-Indigenous youth ages 18-30
Youth passionate about making an impact in your community
Youth seeking ways to build skills, networks and advance your career in the water and climate sector
Who Is Eligible?
Participants must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or have been granted refugee status in Canada. International students, on a student visa are not eligible.
Must be at least 18 years of age upon starting participation in the program and no older than 30 years of age at the time of application
Available for the duration of the program, and able to commit to the 120 hours outlined in this application.
What is a Service Project?
With support from Waterlution, mentors and peers, each youth participant will work with a local organization of their choice, to design and deliver an on-the-ground, service-in-the-community, action project.
One of the needs often requested by youth across Waterlution programs is access and time with mentors. We have made this a priority throughout Y4RC with mentors guiding youth from project conception to completion. Each youth participant will receive coaching and mentorship from experienced professionals to support you as you build your skills, deepen your knowledge, and execute your project to success.
Here are examples of service projects that would be a good fit for the Y4RC program:
- An educational digital product (video, podcast, etc), such as capturing the Stories of Community Leaders or Elders for the community
- A participatory community art installation that addresses/ helps lessen climate anxiety
- Webinars or workshops that teach a resiliency skill and/or offer key information on climate impacts and strategies to be more resilient
- Partner with a local water or climate organization that is looking for volunteers
- Build or contribute to a community garden/agriculture/permaculture project
- Develop a water-wise product or initiative for an environmentally focused partner (i.e. a community centre, a local library, a local health care facility, your local tourism office, etc.)
- Undertake a resiliency project (invasive species removal, nature based solution, water quality, citizen science project)
- Initiate a youth climate group at your local Council/Band office
- The options are endless! Identify what the needs are and follow your passions and strengths.
