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Source verified June 1, 2026
Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada
Funding for youth-focused workshops and conferences in Canada
Latest source updateLast Update: October 11, 2026Latest change: Youth Forums Canada now requires in-person forums of at least three consecutive days, limits projects to April 1 through March 31 of the following year, and adds a written participant safety and protection plan condition.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 11, 2026
Latest change: Youth Forums Canada now requires in-person forums of at least three consecutive days, limits projects to April 1 through March 31 of the following year, and adds a written participant safety and protection plan condition.
Youth Forums Canada rules updated
Youth Forums Canada has updated its eligibility and project rules: forums must now be delivered in person over a minimum of three consecutive full days, with participation from at least two provinces or territories, and virtual forums are ineligible. Projects are now limited to the April 1 to March 31 period and to a maximum duration of 12 months, and organizations no longer need to show safety and security policies and procedures as an applicant requirement. The application guidelines also add a funded-project condition requiring a written participant safety and protection plan, while several supporting documents were removed from the application package. Travel rules, eligible expenses, and selection emphasis were also revised, including stronger encouragement for broader national representation.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
November 2, 2026
Opened October 5, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Non-profit organizations legally constituted under relevant federal or provincial law
See full eligibility
Overview
The Youth Forums Canada component of the Exchanges Canada Program provides funding to eligible Canadian organizations to deliver national or interprovincial workshops and conferences for youth aged 14 to 25, focusing on themes such as Canadian history, society, arts, culture, and official languages. The program aims to strengthen youth's sense of belonging by supporting forums lasting at least three days and featuring a minimum of 18 hours of structured activities; the maximum funding amount is not specified.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 3
Activities funded
- Workshops and conferences for youth generally aged 14 to 25.
- Activities and sessions on history and society, arts, culture and communities, official languages, geography, industry, institutions, and democracy in Canada.
Documents Needed
- Completed General Application Form; Application Questionnaire; Anticipated Demographic Distribution Form; Completed Budget Form including Annual Anticipated Expenses and Annual Anticipated Revenues
- Copy of your organization’s letters patent and documents of incorporation
- Copy of your organization’s charitable status, with certificates and registration numbers, if applicable; Copy of your organization’s rules and bylaws, if applicable
- Copy of your organization’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
- List of your current Board of Directors, if applicable; Proof that all individuals signing the General Application Form are authorized to represent the organization
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations legally constituted under relevant federal or provincial law
- Provincial or territorial governments
- Public or private schools
- School boards and other educational institutions, such as colleges or universities
Who is not eligible
- Federal ministries, crown corporations, and other federal government institutions.
- Organizations presenting projects primarily aimed at a competition (example: sports tournament).
- Organizations wishing to finance an annual general meeting or the ongoing activities of their structure.
- Projects already benefiting from funding from the Youth Engagement program in addition to the Canada Exchanges program.
Eligible expenses
- Only project-related expenses, which may be cash or in-kind.
- Travel expenses, including two-way transportation by the most direct and most cost-effective means for youth participants, one adult supervisor per participating province/territory and/or one adult supervisor per 10 participants, and local transportation for youth participants and adult supervisors during the event.
- Special measures expenses, including dormitory or room rental and meals for young people from low-income families; basic travel for those accompanying young people with disabilities and suitable transportation within the host community; sign-language interpreters; honoraria for Indigenous Elders; and a qualified professional for emotional or psychological support.
- Exceptional expenses, including hotel accommodation when the connection cannot be made until the next day, when the group arrives after midnight, or when travel is delayed beyond the group’s control; incidental meals when travel is delayed by circumstances beyond the group’s control; bilingual electronic networks; and a written participant safety and protection plan.
- Administrative expenses for the direct delivery of the project, generally not more than 15% of the total approved funding, including bookkeeping services and accounting, office supplies, telecommunications, postage and courier fees, photocopying and printing fees, rent for office space, audit or legal costs, and project coordination.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations located anywhere in Canada are eligible.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Application Guidelines
- Read the Application Guidelines for Youth Forums Canada in their entirety to understand the requirements.
- Step 2: Contact Program Administrators
- Reach out to the Exchanges Canada Program to request the forms and necessary documents required for the application.
- Contact options include email (echanges-exchanges@pch.gc.ca), telephone (819-997-0055 or 1-866-811-0055), or TTY (1-888-997-3123).
- Step 3: Prepare Application Package
- Complete all required forms and assemble the complete application package as specified.
- Ensure all documentation and information meet the eligibility and program requirements.
- Step 4: Submit Application Package
- Submit the complete application package to the Exchanges Canada Program before the deadline (September 15, 2025, at 4 pm ET).
- Use the submission method indicated by the program administrators when you request the application forms.
- Step 5: Await Confirmation or Follow-Up
- Monitor your email and communications for confirmation or requests for additional information from the Exchanges Canada Program.
Additional information
- The annual application intake period is scheduled from August 18, 2025, at 8 am (ET) to September 15, 2025, at 4 pm (ET).
- All projects must be completed by March 31 of the following year, or by March 31 of a subsequent year if funding covers more than 12 months.
- Organizations must have at least three years of experience delivering youth programs, with appropriate safety and security policies in place.
- Projects are not eligible if they receive financial support from both the Exchanges Canada and Youth Take Charge programs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada Program
What is the Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada?
The Youth Forums Canada component of the Exchanges Canada Program provides funding to eligible Canadian organizations to deliver national or interprovincial workshops and conferences for youth aged 14 to 25, focusing on themes such as Canadian history, society, arts, culture, and official languages. The program aims to strengthen youth's sense of belonging by supporting forums lasting at least three days and featuring a minimum of 18 hours of structured activities; the maximum funding amount is not specified.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is November 2, 2026. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada program?
To be eligible for the Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada program, you must:
Must be a non-profit, government, school, school board, or educational institution in Canada
At least 3 years of experience delivering youth programs
Federal government departments and crown corporations are not eligible
What expenses are eligible under Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada?
Workshops and conferences for youth generally aged 14 to 25.
Activities and sessions on history and society, arts, culture and communities, official languages, geography, industry, institutions, and democracy in Canada.
Who can I contact for more information about the Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada?
You can contact Canadian Heritage by email at echanges-exchanges@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 819-997-0055.
Where is the Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada available?
The Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada program is available across Canada.
Is the Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Exchanges Canada - Youth Forums Canada is a Grant and Funding