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Eco-Action Accelerator

Supporting Canadian youth to scale environmental service projects for impact.

What is the Eco-Action Accelerator?

The Eco-Action Accelerator is a 16-week microgrant program that provides Canada Service Corps (CSC) alumni with the tools to scale up a service project idea and produce expansion plans that focus on the long-term sustainability of the project. The program consists of 3-interconnected components that support the development and delivery of grantee service projects: a 3-day retreat or in-person workshops in British Columbia, 6 entrepreneurial workshops, and bi-weekly mentorship calls with a triad of your peers.

Grantees are expected to spend 5-10 hours/week working on the program to meet the deliverables, and will benefit from:

  • Funding from one of three competitive streams up to $5,000.
  • Guidance to develop a long-term sustainable business plan for successful delivery or scaling of their project.
  • A collaborative approach to project development that taps into participants’ knowledge and experience to build a unique network of support.
  • Access to professional resources and subject matter experts.

Apply Today

Apply here if you are 19 - 30

For Canada Service Corps alumni from across Canada.

Apply here if you are 15 - 18

For Canada Service Corps alumni from the Lower Mainland of Vancouver.

Eligiblity

Applicants must: 

  • Be 15 to 30 years old at the time of application;  
  • Be an alum of a Canada Service Corps (CSC) program; 
  • Reside in the Lower Mainland BC if 15-18 years old at the start of the program 
  • Have a service project idea contributing to positive environmental change by addressing climate change, plastic & pollution, or overfishing either directly (ex. reducing reliance on single-use plastics, restoring habitats, improving access to sustainable seafood, etc.) or indirectly (ex. encouraging nature connectedness, promoting accessibility & inclusivity in environmental spaces, raising awareness of environmental issues, combating climate anxiety & eco-grief, etc.); and 
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person granted refugee status in Canada. 

Program Expectations

During the 16-week program, Accelerator Grantees are expected to: 

  • Participate in a 3-day retreat in British Columbia if 19-30 years old (costs associated with the in-person retreat will be covered including: food, lodging, transportation);  
  • Participate in weekend workshops in the Lower Mainland if 15-18 years old;  
  • Engage fully in 6 virtual workshops and discussions tailored to developing appropriate skills;  
  • Engage fully in bi-weekly mentorship triad calls with peers;  
  • Lead an individual or collaborative project that contributes to positive change for the environment either directly or indirectly (see examples in Eligibility above); 
  • Keep all relevant receipts to submit an expense report and a final report prior to the program end date; and 
  • Develop and submit a scale-up and/or long-term sustainable business plan for the service project. 

Outcomes

  • Project Development & Delivery | Using design thinking principles, develop a comprehensive short and long-term sustainable business plan, including a model of change and results chain. Delivery of the project with a clear definition of success that encapsulates growth in the project’s reach, scope, or longevity.   
  • Entrepreneurial & Project Management Skills | Apply new entrepreneurial skills and knowledge gained from attending 6 workshops and either the 3-day retreat or weekend workshops to both the project development and when providing feedback to peers in the mentorship triads.   
  • Reconciliation, Inclusion & Accessibility | Identify and incorporate actions for reconciliation, inclusion, and accessibility within the service project. 
  • Capacity for Environmental & Community Action | Expand understanding of, interest in, and capacity for environmental action and active participation in the community through scaling of the service project. 

Partners

Eco-Action Accelerator is funded in part by Canada Service Corps, a national movement that empowers youth aged 15–30 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps.

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