Global understanding. Local action.
Every day, we reimagine civic participation.
How can it become more accessible, inclusive and innovative? What prevents us from serving more people? What should we build—or rethink—to change that?
These questions shape GLOCAL’s work. We mobilize people, knowledge and resources, combining digital technology, social innovation and community experience to turn civic ideas into practical opportunities. We co-design solutions with Canadians, for Canadians.
We are a do tank. Through online volunteering, experiential learning, microgrants and civic-information tools, we turn reflection into practical opportunities. Youth and underserved communities help shape the projects, contribute their knowledge and test what works.
We help close the distance between institutions and everyday life—so more people can be seen, heard and valued, and help shape what comes next.
Connect young people, governments, social organizations, knowledge and resources around shared challenges.
Bring capacity togetherDesign and test practical solutions with communities, drawing on their knowledge and experience.
Create with communitiesBridge the last mile: make civic information, services and opportunities understandable, reachable and usable.
Turn availability into accessMake room for people to contribute their knowledge, have their work recognized and help shape decisions.
Seen. Heard. Valued.Community knowledge shapes better solutions.
People’s experiences and feedback inform how institutions and GLOCAL design and deliver opportunities.
The “last mile” is the gap between support that exists and support people can actually use. Localisation helps close it by adapting knowledge and tools to communities’ languages, needs and lived experience.
Different skills. Shared purpose.
A place for your contribution.
One community. Many starting points.
Our members span all 13 provinces and territories. Select a region to explore our community.
8,206 members across Canada · September 2026 snapshot
Our platforms & services
Find civic information, volunteer your skills or bring a community idea to life.
Find your political representatives and election candidates during elections. Help make civic knowledge accessible by contributing and sharing what you know.
GLOCAL’s online service platform. Find volunteer tasks, join community projects and track your service hours—all in one place.
Explore funding and support for youth-led civic and community projects. Find out who can apply and how to get started.
YouCount’s civic information and volunteering platforms are both part of GLOCAL. Choose the website for what you want to do.
Meet young people turning community ideas into action with GLOCAL microgrants. Watch their stories, then explore the projects they created.
Explore the projectsShare your skills through service, explore a civic question or bring a community idea.
Research, create and test with others through volunteering and youth-led projects.
Record your service, share useful work and connect with a community that celebrates it.
Being reached is not the same as being included.
Meaningful participation means more than receiving information or support. It means having your knowledge taken seriously, your contribution recognized, and a real opportunity to influence decisions.
Explore visibility, recognition and power →Ottawa, 26 June 2023 – GLOCAL Foundation of Canada is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Laura Stephenson and Dr. Fred Cutler as charter members of its Board of Directors.
Find out moreStay connected with GLOCAL! Get the latest updates, opportunities, and insights. Whether you're a changemaker, supporter, or just curious—there's a place for you!
Explore the people and activities behind GLOCAL: volunteer outreach, youth-led projects, community sports and music, and opportunities to share ideas.
GLOCAL Foundation of Canada is a national not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to encourage civic participation through local engagement and global understanding among Canadian youth. We empower young Canadians to contribute to digital civic-engagement infrastructure, and we address challenges related to civic-information accessibility, misinformation and information overload.
With six tracks to explore — research, data, digital, outreach, communication and compliance — you can take part in activities ranging from quick fun challenges to sophisticated projects. You will also have access to workshops, events, seminars and team-building activities.
Yes. You may not be eligible for some programs, but we always welcome mentors and experienced professionals. We appreciate the skills and experience you bring.
No. You can volunteer your time and contribute to a project without funding. Microgrants are a separate opportunity for eligible youth who need financial support for a community initiative. Explore microgrant eligibility and funding.