Canada Service Corps is designed to achieve the following core objectives: build a culture of service among young Canadians; concrete results for communities; personal growth through participation in a diverse team of peers; and lasting impacts on participants.
The first phase of Canada Service Corps will focus on the following program components:
- National Scale Projects: Over the next 18 months, the Government of Canada, through Canada Service Corps, will test new and innovative ways to engage and inspire young Canadians to get involved in service to communities through the following organizations: 4-H Canada, Apathy is Boring, Boys and Girls Club of Canada, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Chantiers jeunesse, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada, Katimavik, mindyourmind, Ocean Wise, and the YMCA.
Together, these organizations have a large network throughout the country that can be used to learn how to inspire passion for service in the community and engage young Canadians, and particularly youth who are typically underrepresented. They will recruit young Canadians from all backgrounds and all parts of the country and provide them with flexible opportunities to get involved in projects that suit their interests. They also have the tools to effectively engage young people and invite them to be part of meaningful and life-changing service opportunities.
By March 2020, up to 3,700 young Canadians are expected to get involved in their community through these national scale projects. - Call for Proposals for local and regional scale service projects: The Government of Canada, through Canada Service Corps, is looking for projects that benefit young people and allow them to grow on a personal level by building relationships, learning new skills, and creating a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
Through an open Call for Proposals, eligible local or regional organizations across Canada can propose projects that benefit their community. Funding is available for innovative ideas that engage young people and involve them directly in meaningful service opportunities.
Specific funding is also available for projects that are focused on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This specific funding supports project proposals that bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth—allowing them to work together to learn about the process of reconciliation, as well as identify and address social issues in the community.
Eligible local and regional organizations across Canada have until March 13, 2018, to apply for funding and must fall in one of the following categories:- not-for-profit or for-profit organizations;
- research organizations and institutes;
- Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities); and
- municipal, provincial, or territorial governments, agencies, and crown corporations, public health and educational institutions (i.e., universities, colleges, CÉGEPs, school boards/school districts).
- Funding for young Canadians: With support from the Government of Canada through Canada Service Corps, TakingITGlobal will provide young Canadians with access to funding that will help them and their team make their service-related projects a reality.
TakingITGlobal—an organization that focuses on global issues by promoting awareness and engagement among young people— will review youth-led applications and award funding to successful applicants. The funding is in the fixed amounts of $250, $750, and $1,500, based on the scope of the project.
Interested applicants should visit the Guides to Action for more information on how to prepare their application and visit Canada.ca/canadaservicecorps to apply for funding. - Matching Service: Canada Service Corps, in collaboration with Volunteer Canada, is developing an online platform for young people that provides a comprehensive bank of service opportunities, updated in real-time, across Canada, including virtual volunteer opportunities. The service will allow youth to match their service interests and availabilities with local service opportunities. Service opportunities will be offered through organizations of all sizes, and will be promoted via the platform on an ongoing basis.