Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP)
Supports youth hiring in agriculture
Latest source updateLast Update: July 17, 2026Latest change: The YESP eligibility page now shows a much shorter set of criteria, and the program overview has updated 2026-27 intake and funding information.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 17, 2026
Latest change: The YESP eligibility page now shows a much shorter set of criteria, and the program overview has updated 2026-27 intake and funding information.
YESP eligibility and 2026-27 timeline updated
The YESP eligibility page has been significantly revised: detailed applicant, youth participant, and project eligibility text was removed and replaced with a much shorter eligibility outline, alongside new ineligible-costs and limitation guidance. This changes how applicants confirm who may apply and what kinds of costs or project details qualify. The program overview now shows the 2026-27 intake as closed with applications accepted until May 4, 2026, replacing the earlier March 3, 2025 intake date. It also now states that up to $13.47 million is available for 2026-27 funding, while the core project maximum and cost-share structure remain visible on the overview page.
Funding available
$ 19,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Overview
The Youth Employment and Skills Program supports agriculture and agri-food employers in Canada with non-repayable contributions of up to $14,000 per project, plus additional support for eligible barrier-related costs. It helps fund youth salaries and benefits, relocation costs, and selected training, transportation, and child care expenses.
Find open grants for your business
Explore open funding programs that match your business and project.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 19,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- Sole proprietorship
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Newcomers to Canada
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Employment and Training
- 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
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Employing one youth participant aged 15 to 30
- Providing work experience and skill development in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector
- Employing youth facing barriers to employment
Documents Needed
- Project Application Form
- Participant Information Form
- Copy of the organization’s certificates or articles of incorporation, if applicable
- For Indigenous applicants: director resolution, self-government agreement or modern treaty-related agreement, or another legal document showing the organization is a legal entity
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Individuals or sole proprietors
- Provincial/territorial governments and municipal administrations
- Indigenous organizations and individuals, and educational institutions
Who is not eligible
- Temporary residents, including people on work or study visas and temporary residents with work permits
Eligible expenses
- Youth salaries and employer-paid benefits, including employer contributions to CPP, EI and workers' compensation, and in Quebec RRQ, RQAP, CNESST and FSS
- Housing and transportation costs for youth relocation when the participant must move more than 100 kilometres one way from home during the project
- Certifications and training to strengthen skills or support professional development
- Transportation to and from the project site
- Child care services for the youth participant's children
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Contracted employee wages
- Bonuses
- Costs outside the project dates
- In-kind contributions
- Family-member relocation or barrier costs
Selection criteria
- Applications from Indigenous applicants are processed first
- Applications for projects employing youth facing barriers are processed first
- All other applications are assessed on a first come, first served basis, with fair distribution across Canada
How to apply
- Complete the required forms and gather supporting documents
- Submit the completed forms and supporting documents using the Submit button in the Project Application Form
- If needed, email the package to aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@agr.gc.ca; if you need to apply by mail or fax, write to or call aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@agr.gc.ca or 1-866-452-5558
Processing and Agreement
- An acknowledgement of receipt is sent after submission
- AAFC checks whether the application is complete and may request missing information; complete applications receive a confirmation notice and a unique project number
- Applications are evaluated against program eligibility criteria, and additional information may be requested during assessment
- Applicants receive an approval, non-admissibility, or wait-list notice; approved applications include a contribution agreement that must be signed
- After the project is completed, a payment form and final reports must be submitted, with supporting documents such as invoices, pay stubs or proof of payment if requested; a mid-project payment may be available if the project lasts 6 to 12 months or if a new eligible participant replaces the original youth participant, up to 50% of AAFC's maximum contribution, with the remainder paid after project completion
Additional information
- Quebec organizations with headquarters in Quebec must address the M-30 Act during the evaluation process and before signing a contribution agreement
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) Program
What is the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP)?
The Youth Employment and Skills Program supports agriculture and agri-food employers in Canada with non-repayable contributions of up to $14,000 per project, plus additional support for eligible barrier-related costs. It helps fund youth salaries and benefits, relocation costs, and selected training, transportation, and child care expenses.
How much funding can be received?
Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $19,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) program?
To be eligible for the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) program, you must:
The project must employ a youth participant who meets all program criteria
A youth participant may take part again if they are not hired by the same applicant two years in a row
If the youth faces barriers to employment, the same youth may be hired two consecutive years if they still meet all criteria
What expenses are eligible under Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP)?
Employing one youth participant aged 15 to 30
Providing work experience and skill development in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector
Employing youth facing barriers to employment
Who can I contact for more information about the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP)?
You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) by email at aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@agr.gc.ca or by phone at 1-866-452-5558.
Where is the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) available?
The Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) program is available across Canada.
Is the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) is a Grant and Funding