Ontario Community Changemakers

8 80 Cities is thrilled to announce the launch of applications for Year 3 of our Ontario Community Changemakers program.

Ontario Community Changemakers strives to serve as a launchpad for emerging community leaders and create a network for young civic innovators and public space advocates that reflect the diversity of people and geography of Ontario. The program is funded by the Balsam Foundation.

Ontario Community Changemakers seeks applications from residents aged 19-35 with innovative ideas to activate public space, enhance civic engagement, and/or foster social inclusion. This program is unique in that it offers both leadership development & training and a $5,000 microgrant to implement their idea.

This year the program will feature an in-person studio and ongoing virtual coaching and capacity building. The studio curriculum will feature presentations and storytelling workshops by inspiring community leaders, as well as skills-building workshops on project planning, community engagement, communication, and tactical urbanism. You can learn more about the Studio here.

The Ontario Community Changemakers program strongly encourages applications from BIPOC applicants and individuals with lived experiences currently underrepresented in the placemaking sector. The program is accepting applications from residents aged 19-35 from communities of all sizes, including rural communities, small towns, cities, and First Nations territories.

You will find all the program details, including the press release, images, and sample text you may use on social media, in this Google Drive folder.

To apply to the Ontario Community Changemakers program, applicants must submit their applications by May 14th, 2023, 11:59 pm EDT (10:59 CDT).

Click on the Learn More link to apply.