The Government of Canada launched a multi-stream call for proposals (CFP) under the Canada Service Corps program on October 12, 2023. The CFP will provide funding to diverse organizations across the country in support of federal priorities to improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of communities across Canada. Canada Service Corps offers youth, particularly Indigenous and under-served youth, unique opportunities to engage in volunteer service opportunities related to causes that are meaningful to them. The program is also designed to empower young people in Canada to make a difference in their communities while acquiring meaningful skills and experiences.
Funding agreements for successful organizations are expected to begin as early as August 2024 with funding to follow. Projects must respond to one or more of the following CSC service themes:
- reconciliation;
- building an inclusive Canada;
- preserving the environment;
- promoting civic and democratic engagement;
- strengthening youth resilience; and
- potential new themes that are identified by youth.
For all streams:
- project activities must take place in Canada;
- projects must target a minimum of 50% Indigenous youth, under-served youth[1], or both;
- funding recipients must inform youth participants of the available supports that they can access to help them complete their volunteer service opportunities; and
- organizations must also confirm that they will be able to provide a safe and inclusive environment that is free from racism, harassment and discrimination for program participants and others in the organization.
Eligibility
Eligible recipients for this CFP include:
- not-for-profit organizations;
- for-profit organizations (provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial and not intended to generate profit);
- research organizations and institutes;
- Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities); and
- ·municipal, provincial and territorial[2] entities, including institutions, agencies and Crown corporations, public health and educational institutions (namely universities, colleges, CÉGEPs, school boards/school districts).
This call for proposals does not include any financial leveraging requirement, which means that up to 100% of organizations' eligible expenses can be funded. Organizations no longer need to provide directly, or from other sources, a percentage of the funds for their projects.
Funding Streams
This open CFP will fund service placements and micro-grants projects through the following three program streams:
- Service Placements National stream
- Service Placements Regional stream
- Micro-grants stream
Service Placements
The objective of the Service Placements streams is to fund youth-serving organizations to develop and deliver volunteer service placements across Canada, so that youth participants ages 12 to 30, including Indigenous youth and under-served youth, can gain valuable skills and experiences, contribute to communities, and promote civic engagement and inclusion.
