Designed to foster youth leadership and equip young Canadians with meaningful life skills and experiences, Trent University's new Impact Microgrant Program will distribute $900,000 in grant funding from the Government of Canada's Canada Service Corps (CSC) to support student and youth-led projects that address community needs across Canada.
A joint initiative led by the Office of Student Affairs and Careerspace at Trent, the Impact Microgrant Program provides a unique opportunity for Trent students, non-Trent students, and members of the community aged 15-30 to receive up to $5,000 to help them lead small-scale, innovative community service projects that they conceive.
"The Impact Microgrant Program is a catalyst for social innovation and long-term civic engagement, empowering young people to work in partnership with local organizations to bring fresh, community-focused ideas to life," said Glennice Burns, associate vice-president of Trent International and Careerspace. "We look forward to supporting diverse and meaningful projects that will emerge from this program, creating positive and visible change across our region and growth for the individuals who lead them."
With the aim of awarding 180 microgrants by spring 2027, the Impact Microgrant Program has already distributed close to $40,000 in support of youth-led initiatives. Early projects feature efforts to empower black children in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, foster cultural connectivity within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and create inclusive outdoor spaces that centre storytelling, cultural connections and ecological exploration for 2SLGBTQAI+ Youth in Peterborough.
Successful program participants will also complete 15 hours of coursework to earn a complementary micro-credential in leadership and project management from Trent, benefitting from personalized guidance and mentorship from Impact Microgrant coordinators at the University. The training equips them with practical skills in budgeting, risk planning, community engagement, project implementation, and program evaluation.
This program is a new iteration of Trent's previous Impact Leadership Program, which facilitated hundreds of students in volunteer community service placements with organizations including Special Olympics, United Way, and the Kawartha World Issues Centre.
"When young people are given the chance to make a difference, they gain more than experience. They develop confidence, compassion, and sense of purpose that will serve them well in their academic, professional, and personal lives, while also enriching the communities they serve," said Lawrence Lam, associate vice-president, Students.
If you or someone you know wants to be an agent of change in your community, we encourage you to visit trentu.ca/impact to learn more about program eligibility, requirements, and how to apply.
Applications for the program's next intake are being accepted until May 26.
