Nature Canada’s Young Nature Leaders Grant is now receiving applications for 2024 projects.
Women for Nature, an initiative of Nature Canada, is a collaboration of Canadian women leaders who foster care for nature while empowering others — particularly the youth under the age of 30 — to make a difference in their community and Canada more broadly.
This philosophy gave birth to the Young Nature Leaders Grant which was established in 2017.
Applicants can receive $1,000 in funding to develop a youth-led and community-based project that would promote sustainability in Canada. This bursary will support the project’s implementation this 2024 to acknowledge and celebrate the role of nature in Canadian culture and identity.
Since its founding, the Grant has awarded 36 young people across 10 different provinces and territories in the country. As outlined in their past data, 14 projects have so far focused on underrepresented groups.
“We strongly encourage Indigenous youth to apply, as well as youth from any racialized and, or, underserved community,” read the statement. “At the same time, we actively seek out projects that will purposefully engage members of such communities.”
The data also highlighted that as of 2023, these youth-led projects have reached more than 4,500 Canadians in schools, universities, natural parks, community centres, as well as online.
To apply, applicants are required to submit an outline of their proposed project in a two-page essay or a short video in either English or French. Project ideas will be evaluated by a grant selection committee based on a number of criteria surrounding creativity, public engagement, potential impact, room for involvement of Women for Nature members, engagement with underrepresented communities and the feasibility of the project within Canada. The complete application criteria are also available on their website.
Successful project winners will be asked to share their experiences and results, which will be shared on Nature Canada’s website and other social media.
To get a better idea of what the grant is about and how to improve project ideas, interested applicants can read about previous recipients and access relevant resources on Nature Canada’s website.
Submissions will be received until Feb. 29 at 5:00 p.m. ET. All applicants will receive an update on the status of their application by Mar. 31.
For further information about Nature Canada, Women for Nature and the Young Nature Leaders Grant, visit their website.
