Hope Across The Border
An immigrant youth's lens on the challenges, cultural heritage, hope and resilience of Afghan refugees in Canada.
Applications open
CANConnect Microgrants for Youth-Led Civic and Community Projects
CANConnect supports young people aged 15–30 to lead civic and community-service projects in Canada, with funding and mentorship from GLOCAL.
Apply while funding remains. Complete your project by March 31, 2027.
What CANConnect is
Funded by the Canada Service Corps at Employment and Social Development Canada and administered by GLOCAL, the CANConnect Microgrant Diversity Program empowers Canadian youth — especially underserved youth — to initiate creative civic-engagement projects nationwide. Participants gain resources, civic knowledge and digital skills to promote civic engagement and democratic participation through project-based initiatives.
For the 2026–2027 program period, GLOCAL aims to support up to 160 youth microgrant projects across Canada, subject to available funding. The GLOCAL team provides mentorship and digital civic training to help youth carry out initiatives that address local, regional or community concerns.
Program objectives
- Empowerment through civic engagement — microgrants that enable youth to lead creative civic initiatives relevant to their communities.
- Civic awareness and democratic literacy — accurate information about Canadian democratic institutions and the political system.
- Inclusivity and community contributions — creative projects that promote belonging and address local issues.
- Awareness of civic information — media literacy and critical thinking to counter misinformation and information overload.
Funding details & current amounts
CANConnect is listed on the Canada Service Corps grants page as $500 and $1,000 Civic Impact Challenge funding for youth aged 15 to 30.
Current amounts
The current CANConnect offer is $500 and $1,000 per project, matching the Canada Service Corps Civic Impact Challenge on Canada.ca. Historical program materials that mention larger amounts do not apply to the current youth award.
Ideas brought to life
The original twelve-project showcase is retained as a historical record of youth-led work supported by CANConnect.
Notes of the North
A website, podcast series and blog exploring the histories of Canadian folk songs, composers and local musical communities.
Beaver Quiz-A-Mole
A family-friendly game that combines Canadian-government trivia with Whack-A-Mole-style play to make civic learning interactive.
Explore all 12 projects from the 2023 showcase
Documenting First Aid Traditions in Indigenous Communities
A cultural-anthropology and oral-history initiative about first-aid practices in Indigenous communities and low-resource settings in Nova Scotia.
Youth Digital Talent Empowerment Program
A project bridging the digital divide for immigrant and refugee youth and building digital skills for civic engagement and community service.
Canadian Mental Health Resources and Task Tracker App
An interactive task-management and mental-health resource app focused on challenges faced by people with ADHD and on fact-checked information.
The Worst Day Ever?
A short film opening conversations about grief, loss, family dynamics and Medical Assistance in Dying.
The Role of Civic Engagement for South Sudanese Youth in Canada
Research into civic concerns, trust in law enforcement and the relationship between youth and democratic processes in the South Sudanese Canadian community.
Rise and Shine
A storytelling series amplifying Ethiopian and Eritrean youth voices, celebrating cultural heritage and building understanding and solidarity.
Canadian in Bangla Town
A photobook about Toronto's Bangladeshi diaspora, including immigration history, integration experiences and community contributions.
National Affordable Modular Apartment Condominiums Immigrant Proposal
A proposal to address Canada's affordable-housing crisis with modular apartments, underused urban spaces, inclusive family layouts, employment and training.
Politics, Law, and Social Media Misinformation
A comparison of legal constraints on misinformation policy in five democracies and what they may mean for a Canadian response.
Explore five ideas from the application archive
These original application spotlights show the range of ideas young people proposed. They describe projects at the application stage, rather than confirming funding or completion.
