
Open
Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream
Support for youth-led civic engagement projects
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000
Timeline
- Open Date : April 21, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Canada Service Corps Program – Micro-grants Diversity stream provides up to $5,000 per participant to support youth-led civic engagement projects in Canada. It funds organizations that help Indigenous and under-served youth take part in service projects, with approved activities including outreach, mentoring, knowledge-sharing, and fund distribution.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : April 21, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Higher Education
- Other Education
- Research
- Social Services
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Civic and Advocacy Organizations
- Other Philanthropic Intermediaries and Voluntarism Promotion
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
- People with disabilities
- LGBTQ+ community
- Rural / Remote communities
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Supporting youth in identifying and validating issues and priorities for community action.
- Implementing strategies or actions to address specific community needs.
- Developing and testing innovative solutions and methodologies for community engagement.
- Facilitating youth access and participation in local volunteer service opportunities.
- Promoting civic engagement and building inclusive, resilient communities through youth-led projects.
Documents Needed
- CRA business or registration number proof
- Organization address proof
- Program-specific questions responses
- Project proposal and budget plan
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations (for non-commercial, non-profit activities that support program priorities)
- Research organizations and institutes
- Indigenous organizations, including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities
- Municipal, provincial, and territorial entities, including institutions, agencies, Crown corporations, and public health and educational institutions (universities, colleges, CÉGEPs, school boards/districts)
Who is not eligible
- Organizations that do not meet the mandatory requirement of having at least 50% of their leadership and 50% of their governance comprised of Indigenous and under-served populations as defined by the program.
- Organizations that do not wish to answer or for whom the diversity-related eligibility questions do not apply.
Eligible expenses
- Overhead costs (up to 10%), including shared administrative expenses such as postage, telephones, IT maintenance, and head office support.
- Materials and supplies required for the project.
- Wages and mandatory employment-related costs for project staff.
- Training and professional development costs for project staff.
- Honoraria (excluding participants).
- Printing and communication costs.
- Professional fees such as consultants, technical expertise, or facilitators.
- Domestic travel costs, within approved government rates.
- Participant costs and supports (e.g., living expenses, equipment or services for virtual opportunities, mentorship, dependent care, transportation, accommodation, specialized services, or disability-related equipment/arrangements).
- Recognition or completion certificates for participants.
- Financial payments to participants for eligible project-related expenditures under youth-led projects.
- Reimbursements to third-party organizations for the above-listed eligible expenditures incurred.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities outside Canada
- Projects that support or advertise a political candidate, figure, or party
- Any use of funds for purposes other than the project
- Profit-generating project activities
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Quebec organizations subject to M-30 requirements
Selection criteria
- Innovation and creativity of the project.
- Feasibility and financial efficiency.
- Potential impact on the community.
- Engagement and inclusivity.
- Sustainability.
How to apply
1
Verify eligibility requirements
- Review the eligibility criteria for organizations and participants
- Ensure your organization meets the diversity-related eligibility requirements
- Confirm organizational experience with youth or underserved populations
2
Prepare your project proposal
- Prepare details about your proposed youth-led service projects
- Detail how you plan to reach and support Indigenous and underserved youth
- Organize supporting documentation on organizational governance and leadership
3
Complete application forms
- Complete all sections of the application form for the Micro-grants Diversity stream
- Answer the Program Specific Questions regarding diversity representation
- Ensure your application package includes all required documents
4
Submit your application
- Submit the complete application package before the stated deadline
- Use the appropriate channels and follow submission instructions
- Ensure the funding request does not exceed program limits
5
Await funding decision
- Wait for notification of funding decision from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Project must not commence before receiving approval and signing the contribution agreement
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are screened for eligibility and assessed against the program criteria.
- Not all applications will be approved.
- Applicants are notified in writing of the outcome.
- No project work can begin until approval is received and a funding agreement is signed.
- Decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
Additional information
- Project proposals must clearly outline plans for collecting data and reporting on results as part of their implementation.
- If the applicant organization is based in Quebec, it should ensure compliance with the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30) prior to signing any agreement with the federal government.
- Decisions regarding funding are final; there is no appeal process for unsuccessful applications.
- Organizations are required to provide a safe, inclusive environment for all CSC participants, free from racism, harassment, and discrimination.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream Program
What is the Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream?
The Canada Service Corps Program – Micro-grants Diversity stream provides up to $5,000 per participant to support youth-led civic engagement projects in Canada. It funds organizations that help Indigenous and under-served youth take part in service projects, with approved activities including outreach, mentoring, knowledge-sharing, and fund distribution.
How much funding can be received?
Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream Funds up to $5,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream program?
To be eligible for the Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream program, you must:
Representative leadership or governance
Recent youth or community experience
Experience with intake and fund distribution
What expenses are eligible under Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream?
Supporting youth in identifying and validating issues and priorities for community action.
Implementing strategies or actions to address specific community needs.
Developing and testing innovative solutions and methodologies for community engagement.
Facilitating youth access and participation in local volunteer service opportunities.
Promoting civic engagement and building inclusive, resilient communities through youth-led projects.
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at NC-DGOP-POB-CSC-SJC-GD@SERVICECANADA.GC.CA.
Where is the Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream available?
The Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream program is available across Canada.
Is the Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Canada Service Corps Program - Micro-grants Diversity stream is a Grant and Funding