Youth Take Charge

• Completed Application Form (Annexes A, B, C)
• Completed Application Form (Annexes D and E)
• Financial statements for the last three fiscal years
• Letters of financial or in-kind support from partners
• Security plan and proof of liability insurance

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.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Capital expenses, including equipment, furniture, land, buildings, vehicles, and contingency funds.
• Ongoing operational expenses not directly linked to the project or the Program’s objective.
• Purchase or commission of items produced for commercial purposes.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Expenses incurred before April 1 of the year following the application deadline.

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.

• Anticipated impact of the project, including the extent to which activities support the Program’s objectives and priorities, with specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic results.
• The degree of youth leadership, ensuring youth play a significant role in the design, delivery, and evaluation of the project.
• The project’s reach, including the number of youth actively engaged and efforts to involve under-represented groups and participants from across Canada.
• Organizational capacity, demonstrated by the organization’s stability, financial capacity, necessary staff, expertise, and relevant experience.
• Budget realism and reasonableness, showing that expenses are justified, well-forecasted, and balanced with other funding sources, including value for money (such as cost per participant).

• Step 1: Review Application Guidelines
  • Read the Application Guidelines for the Youth Take Charge Program thoroughly to ensure that you understand all requirements and procedures.
• Step 2: Request Application Forms
  • Contact the Program at lesjeunessengagent-youthtakecharge@pch.gc.ca to request the application forms and required documents needed for submission.
• Step 3: Prepare Application Package
  • Complete the required forms, including Annexes A, B, C, D, and E:
  • Annex A: Document Checklist
  • Annex B: General Application Form (must be signed by an authorized representative)
  • Annex C: Application Questionnaire
  • Annex D: Anticipated Demographic Distribution Form
  • Annex E: Budget (Annual Anticipated Expenses and Revenues)
  • Gather all supporting documents, such as:
  • Organization’s letters patent and incorporation documents (if applicable)
  • Proof of charitable status and registration (if applicable)
  • Rules and bylaws (if applicable)
  • Financial statements for the last three fiscal years
  • List of current Board of Directors
  • Letters of financial or in-kind support from partners or external sources
  • Proof of authority for all individuals signing the application
  • A security plan detailing safety policies and procedures for youth projects
  • Proof of or commitment to comprehensive general liability insurance with minimum $2 million coverage
• Step 4: Complete and Sign Application
  • Ensure that all forms are fully completed, signed and dated by authorized individuals.
• Step 5: Submit Application Package
  • Compile all required forms and supporting documents into a complete application package.
  • Submit the package electronically by email to lesjeunessengagent-youthtakecharge@pch.gc.ca.
  • Include the name of the organization and the project in the subject line of the email.
  • If you cannot submit your application by email, contact the Program for alternative arrangements before the deadline.
• Step 6: Acknowledgement and Follow-Up
  • The Program will acknowledge receipt of your application within two weeks.
  • If you do not receive an acknowledgement, contact the Program to confirm receipt.

• The application is first reviewed for eligibility.
• Eligible applications are assessed by a Review Committee against the program criteria.
• Applications are compared with other submissions and prioritized based on available funds.
• The Program acknowledges receipt within two weeks.
• Funding decisions are final.

• 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.