Hope Across The Border
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Applications open
CANConnect Microgrants for Youth-Led Civic and Community Projects
CANConnect is GLOCAL's youth microgrant program for eligible young people aged 15 to 30 who want to lead a civic or community-service project in Canada. The program offers grants of $500 and $1,000. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis while funding remains, with a project-completion deadline of 31 March 2027. Funded by the Canada Service Corps and administered by GLOCAL.
AGES15-30
GRANTS$500 / $1,000
FUNDERCANADA SERVICE CORPS
Last reviewed 17 August 2026.
Two funding tiers
Pick the grant that fits your idea
Tier 1
$500
An early-stage idea, a first project, or a small-scale activity that gets your civic work off the ground.
Tier 2
$1,000
A more developed pilot or a project with a larger resource need. GLOCAL mentors help you scope it.
What CANConnect is
Funded by the Canada Service Corps at Employment and Social Development Canada and administered by GLOCAL, the CANConnect Microgrant Diversity Program empowers Canadian youth — especially underserved youth — to initiate creative civic-engagement projects nationwide. Participants gain resources, civic knowledge and digital skills to promote civic engagement and democratic participation through project-based initiatives.
For the 2026–2027 program period, GLOCAL aims to support up to 160 youth microgrant projects across Canada, subject to available funding. The GLOCAL team provides mentorship and digital civic training to help youth carry out initiatives that address local, regional or community concerns.
Program objectives
- Empowerment through civic engagement — microgrants that enable youth to lead creative civic initiatives relevant to their communities.
- Civic awareness and democratic literacy — accurate information about Canadian democratic institutions and the political system.
- Inclusivity and community contributions — creative projects that promote belonging and address local issues.
- Awareness of civic information — media literacy and critical thinking to counter misinformation and information overload.
CANConnect is listed on the Canada Service Corps grants page as $500 and $1,000 Civic Impact Challenge funding for youth aged 15 to 30.
Download the 2026–2027 program guidelines (PDF)
Current amounts
The current CANConnect offer is $500 and $1,000 per project, matching the Canada Service Corps Civic Impact Challenge on Canada.ca. Historical program materials that mention larger amounts do not apply to the current youth award.
GLOCAL CANConnect Microgrant Showcase 2023
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