ACCESS GRANTS
Funds to access events, training, conferences and workshops that assist youth in equity-deserving groups to enhance networking and knowledge within the climate sector.
ACCESS GRANTS
Funds to access events, training, conferences and workshops that assist youth in equity-deserving groups to enhance networking and knowledge within the climate sector.
Deadline
Applications are currently open. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis, until all funds are allocated.
|
Application Deadline
|
Evaluation Period
|
| This fund has a rolling deadline. |
Once your application is submitted, you will hear about the status of your application within the next 10 business days.
|
Amount Rewarded
$500 – $5,000 per 12-month period
The Purpose of Access Grants
Youth are at the forefront of climate action, and as they are in the early stages in their field, they need greater access to places and spaces where they can expand their networks and knowledge, to successfully scale their initiatives. However, they often lack the means to participate meaningfully in workshops, conferences, networking events, and other crucial in-person gatherings, limiting their ability to learn new skills and advocate for their perspectives.
Achieving intergenerational equity is impossible until we break down these access barriers and enhance the ease of attending such events. In-person events are particularly exclusionary for low-income individuals who cannot afford to travel and for young people who lack the connections and networks to gain entry into the right spaces.
Access Grants provide equity-deserving youth with barrier-free access to in-person events, gatherings, and learning opportunities enabling them to cultivate their leadership skills and position in the social change sector.
Application Process
Step 1: Review eligibility guidelines
Step 2: Review helpful materials
Step 4: Submit your application
Submit your written application in English, French, or a mixture of both. Alternative submission options (scheduled meeting or video) are described at the bottom of the application.
Key indicators that we look for in an application
- Clearly demonstrates the purpose of the event and your motivation for attending.
- Shows the potential of skills building and network expansion.
- Can identify ways in which the event is engaging with equity-deserving groups.
Overall communication and support is available in English and French.
Step 4: Book your 15 minute Applicant Meeting
Following your submission, a 15-minute Applicant Meeting is required 3-5 business days after your submission date, so that an FES staff member can meet you and ask any follow up questions they have about your application.
Eligibility
Event
- The event must take place in-person, in what is currently referred to as Canada.
- The event being accessed can contain for-profit activities.
- The event does not have to be based in rural, remote and/or Northern communities.
Purpose
Applicants must be grassroots and/or conducting not-for-profit activities. The Youth Harbour cannot support for-profit activities.
Age
Applicants must be youth (aged 30 or under) who identify as members of equity-deserving communities
OR
Indigenous folks from Turtle Island (what is currently North America) can apply aged 35 or under.
Identity
Applicants must identify within an equity deserving group.
Equity-deserving groups could be people who have intersectional identities with one or more of the following, but not limited to, people who are:
- Indigenous
- Living in a rural or remote area
- Francophone in what is currently Canada
- Newcomers to what is currently Canada
- Black
- Racialized
- Disabled
- 2SLGBTQ+
Language
Applicants can communicate to us in English, French, or a mixture of both.
Citizenship
Applicants must have Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, refugee status or a visa.
Location
Please note that this Fall, Access Grants are reserved for equity-deserving youth that are based in rural, remote, and/or Northern communities in what is currently Canada.
Rural is defined as located outside of mid-sized towns or cities. Remote is defined as in an isolated area with commuting or transportation challenges. Northern is defined as located in northern latitude and/or isolation of a province, territory, or the country at large.
Applying multiple times
An individual or multiple people from the same organization or project can receive up to one Access Grant during a 12-month period.
Applicants may also simultaneously apply to other granting opportunities that The Youth Harbour offers; this does not help or hinder any of their applications in any other granting streams.
HOWEVER
Core staff or volunteers who are recipients of the Assembly Grant cannot apply for an Access Grant in order to attend the same event that is being funded through Assembly Grants.
Applicants who are selected will receive a 6 or 12 month contract, and are not able to reapply to Access Grants until 12 months after the submission of their final report.
Funding areas
There are three key areas that The Youth Harbour seeks to support youth through Access Grants. Applicants must fall generally under at least one of of these three:
1. Advocacy & Mobilization
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding in order to urgently mobilize their community; change a policy; shift the cultures and attitudes of their community, etc.
2. Connecting & Networking
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding in order to connect with peers, mentors, and/or professionals in their sector to build their network, strategize, fundraise, etc.
3. Professional & Skills Development
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding in order to gain skills through training, workshops, etc.
Application Review Process
Staff Assessment
Initial assessment of applications to ensure that the applicant meets all requirements and to determine final amounts granted per applicant.
ASSESSORS: The Youth Harbour’s assessors (comprised of FES staff members).
Final Decisions and Next Steps
Following the 15 minute Applicant meeting and once all follow up questions are addressed, a decision will be made within 5 business days. All applicants will be notified by email when a decision has been made regarding their application.
If your application is successful, grantees of The Youth Harbour can expect to review contracts for signature, disbursement timelines, and general expectations. A final reporting template will be provided and completed on the agreed upon date between FES and The Youth Harbour grantee.
If your application is unsuccessful, there is no process for reapplication as the pool of funds has likely been completely disbursed. Please check the website or social media for any updates on applications re-opening.
Ethical Engagement and Granting Guidelines
FES does not support, partner with, affiliate itself with, or provide grants to groups that:
- Perpetuate systemic biases and discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, colour, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, or veteran or disability status.
- Promote or support violence, aggression, prejudice, or oppression or any infringement on human rights, with a strong emphasis on the infringement of Indigenous rights.
- Force, coerce, or exclude others based on religious or spiritual beliefs.
- Are connected to political parties, political rallies, or otherwise partisan work.
- Promote or partake in unsustainable practices and/or do not have an adequate climate plan in place to address the climate crisis in response to its unsustainable practices.
- Has a track record of tokenizing youth or disrespecting the voices of youth.
OPEN CALL FOR ORGANIZING GROUPS
Organizing groups offering skill development opportunities for youth are invited to reach out to us.
We’d like to thank all of our supporters that have contributed to the efforts at The Youth Harbour.
