Closed
Youth Take Charge
Supports youth-led projects fostering Canadian engagement and identity
Last Update: March 6, 2026
Funding available
$ 500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : October 20, 2025
- Closing date : November 17, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The Youth Take Charge Program provides funding of up to $500,000 per year for youth-led projects that strengthen young people's attachment to Canada through engagement in arts and culture, civic engagement, economic activities, and history and heritage. This program supports eligible organizations to deliver activities that foster active citizenship, community involvement, and a shared Canadian identity among youth aged 7 to 30.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : October 20, 2025
- Closing date : November 17, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
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
- Language Minorities
- 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
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Youth-led initiatives in arts and culture that engage young people through creative expression and cultural participation.
- Projects fostering civic engagement and youth service, such as community volunteering, democratic participation, and advocacy efforts.
- Programs that involve youth in economic activities like entrepreneurship, financial literacy, or understanding Canadian trade and public spending (excluding employment or skills development).
- Initiatives that engage youth in exploring Canada's history and heritage, including significant events, people, places, and diverse cultural practices.
- Projects that utilize digital tools and communication technologies to support youth engagement and collaboration.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian registered not-for-profit organizations
- Canadian registered charitable groups
- Indigenous representative organizations (including Indigenous governments and organizations representing First Nation, Inuit or Métis communities)
Who is not eligible
- For-profit businesses and commercial enterprises.
- Government bodies (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal administrations).
- Crown corporations or other federal institutions.
- Public or parapublic organizations (such as schools, colleges, universities, school boards, public libraries).
Eligible expenses
- Costs directly related to the development, management, implementation, delivery, coordination, and logistical support of youth-led projects (e.g., artists and performers, event/venue fees, hospitality fees, professional consultant fees, promotion and communication, printing of resources, project evaluation, salaries for project coordination, security measures, recruitment and training of youth participants and adult supervisors).
- Travel expenses for youth participants, supervisors, and staff (reasonable round-trip transportation, accommodation, and meal costs, not exceeding government rates).
- Special measures expenses (e.g., participation costs for youth from low-income families, basic travel for those accompanying youth with disabilities, hiring a sign-language interpreter).
- Exceptional expenses to meet official languages requirements (translation and simultaneous interpretation, production of bilingual informational or promotional materials).
- Administrative expenses directly related to project delivery (e.g., book-keeping, office supplies, telecommunications, postage and courier fees, rent for office space, audit or legal costs), up to 15% of total approved funding.
Eligible geographic areas
- National scope: Eligible organizations must deliver youth programs that extend beyond their immediate regional community, which may include projects at the national, interprovincial/territorial, or provincial/territorial level across Canada.
Additional information
- The total financial assistance from all levels of government cannot exceed 100% of total eligible project-related costs.
- The maximum level of total federal government assistance, including the Youth Take Charge Program, cannot exceed 75% of eligible expenditures.
- This program emphasizes the importance of including both official languages in communication and deliverables, as applicable.
- Organizations must have and maintain a minimum of $2 million general liability insurance for the project duration.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Youth Take Charge Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Youth Take Charge. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Youth Take Charge?
The Youth Take Charge Program provides funding of up to $500,000 per year for youth-led projects that strengthen young people's attachment to Canada through engagement in arts and culture, civic engagement, economic activities, and history and heritage. This program supports eligible organizations to deliver activities that foster active citizenship, community involvement, and a shared Canadian identity among youth aged 7 to 30.
How much funding can be received?
Youth Take Charge Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was November 17, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Youth Take Charge program?
To be eligible for the Youth Take Charge program, you must:
Canadian registered not-for-profit organizations or charitable groups
Indigenous representative organizations
At least 3 years of active experience delivering youth programs on a significant national or provincial/territorial scale
What expenses are eligible under Youth Take Charge?
Youth-led initiatives in arts and culture that engage young people through creative expression and cultural participation.
Projects fostering civic engagement and youth service, such as community volunteering, democratic participation, and advocacy efforts.
Programs that involve youth in economic activities like entrepreneurship, financial literacy, or understanding Canadian trade and public spending (excluding employment or skills development).
Initiatives that engage youth in exploring Canada's history and heritage, including significant events, people, places, and diverse cultural practices.
Projects that utilize digital tools and communication technologies to support youth engagement and collaboration.
Who can I contact for more information about the Youth Take Charge?
You can contact Canadian Heritage (PCH) by email at lesjeunessengagent-youthtakecharge@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 819-997-0055.
Where is the Youth Take Charge available?
The Youth Take Charge program is available across Canada.