GLOCAL frequently asked questions

To be eligible for the CANConnect Microgrant program you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or refugee, between the ages of 15 and 30.

There are many possibilities within each track, including research projects, short videos, data analysis, digital products and services, and community-outreach initiatives such as tutoring refugee youth, assisting with housing, and offering educational sessions for newcomers. As long as your project aligns with GLOCAL's goal of providing civic knowledge to Canadians, it is a great starting point.

Applications remain open and are reviewed on a rolling basis while funding remains. We encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible, as applications may close once all available funding has been allocated. Earlier rounds used Early Action (31 May 2026) and Regular (15 August 2026) dates; we continue to review applications after those dates while funding is available.

For the 2026–2027 program period we aim to support up to 160 microgrants. The amount of funding is $500 or $1,000 per project. Some expenses may not be eligible; please read the program guidelines carefully.

An outline of your planned research, quick film, digital initiative or other civic-engagement content, plus a clear explanation of how your project fulfils at least one of GLOCAL's objectives: helping immigrant and refugee communities understand Canada, helping the public understand these communities, or helping Canadians improve their civic literacy.

Eligible applicants may apply for one project per year. You may also propose a multi-year project focused on a different theme, phase or type of activity each year.

Communicate your situation as early as possible by emailing microgrants@glocalfoundation.ca. By consulting our mentors you can explore solutions, including submitting a demo or partial project with justification for larger projects. The project-completion deadline is 31 March 2027.

Join GLOCAL's Participant Success office hours or email microgrants@glocalfoundation.ca. Our staff can help with project feasibility, workload, impact measures, budgets and resource allocation, and may be able to connect you with peers working on similar ideas.

Yes. GLOCAL encourages collaboration because different perspectives and skills can strengthen a project. Contact your project mentor or microgrants@glocalfoundation.ca so the new team members can be recorded and supported.

Yes. There is no strict word-count limit. Be concise, but include enough relevant detail about your idea, goals, method, budget and expected outcomes for reviewers to understand its scope and impact.

No. A waitlist often reflects requests that do not meet government requirements, proposals that are too vague, activities that do not fully align with the microgrant's objectives, or plans that seem overly ambitious. We would love to help you refine and revise your proposal — book a meeting with us.

Yes, you can complete the project in English and/or French.

GLOCAL Foundation of Canada is a national not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to encourage civic participation through local engagement and global understanding among Canadian youth. We empower young Canadians to contribute to digital civic-engagement infrastructure, and we address challenges related to civic-information accessibility, misinformation and information overload.

GLOCAL focuses on digital civic engagement and youth participation. Through YouCount.ca, online volunteering, research, community outreach and youth-led projects, we make public information easier to access, help demystify Canadian political institutions and support young people in building civic knowledge and practical skills.

GLOCAL is the organization that runs YouCount. YouCount.ca is our flagship product that helps individuals find their political representatives to better inform their voting decisions, across the three levels of government.

With six tracks to explore — research, data, digital, outreach, communication and compliance — you can take part in activities ranging from quick fun challenges to sophisticated projects. You will also have access to workshops, events, seminars and team-building activities.

Yes. You may not be eligible for some programs, but we always welcome mentors and experienced professionals. We appreciate the skills and experience you bring.

Tracks are GLOCAL's specialized volunteer teams: research, data, digital, outreach, communication and compliance. They help you find relevant tasks, meet a team lead and get support in the area that best matches your interests. You may focus on one track or contribute across several.

Tasks assigned to you; attendance and participation in meetings, events and workshops; contributions to team projects and social-media content; engagement in research projects; and emails you write to legislators. Reach out to your supervisor or volunteer coordinator to ask about other opportunities.

Email info@glocalfoundation.ca or join weekday Participant Success office hours. The team can help you choose tasks, shape a project, understand requirements or connect with the right track lead.

Email info@glocalfoundation.ca with the page URL, the device and browser you are using, and a short description or screenshot of the problem. We will route the issue to the right team member.

8 AM to 8 PM Toronto time, Mondays to Fridays. Participant Success Managers are available to answer questions about anything GLOCAL-related. Book a session on our get-involved page.

GLOCAL acknowledges your work with a certificate of achievement, and many volunteers receive work opportunities and job recommendations based on their performance. Completing your hours is just the beginning of a potential long-term relationship with GLOCAL. Historical cohorts used specific hour thresholds (for example 40-hour and 120-hour tracks); the current 2026–2027 opportunity uses flexible pathways, and certificate requirements are set out in the current participant terms.

GLOCAL staff will never ask for any form of payment. If you encounter suspicious requests claiming to be from GLOCAL staff, exercise caution and do not share sensitive information. Report incidents to info@glocalfoundation.ca.