ACCESS GRANTS
Funds to access events, training, conferences and workshops that assist youth in equity-deserving groups to enhance networking and knowledge within the climate sector.
ACCESS GRANTS
Funds to access events, training, conferences and workshops that assist youth in equity-deserving groups to enhance networking and knowledge within the climate sector.
Deadline
Applications are currently closed. Updates about Access Grants will be available in early 2025.
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Application Deadline
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Evaluation Period
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| This fund has a rolling deadline. |
Once your application is submitted, you will hear about the status of your application within the next 10 business days.
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Amount Rewarded
$500 – $5,000 per 12-month period
WHY DO YOUTH NEED GREATER ACCESS?
Youth are at the forefront of climate action, and as they are in the early stages in their field, they need greater access to places and spaces where they can expand their networks and knowledge, to successfully scale their initiatives. However, they often lack the means to participate meaningfully in workshops, conferences, networking events, and other crucial in-person gatherings, limiting their ability to learn new skills and advocate for their perspectives. Achieving intergenerational equity is impossible until we break down these access barriers and enhance the ease of attending such events. In-person events are particularly exclusionary for low-income individuals who cannot afford to travel and for young people who lack the connections and networks to gain entry into the right spaces.
Access Grants provide equity-deserving youth with barrier-free access to in-person events, gatherings, and learning opportunities enabling them to cultivate their leadership skills and position in the social change sector.
HOW TO APPLY
STEP 1: REVIEW HELPFUL MATERIALS
STEP 2: REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION WITH A COACH (OPTIONAL)
- Clarify the application questions or requirements
- Support you in the development of your application answers, project development, budget, impact measurement, etc.
- Recommend where in your application you may need more detail
STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION!
Submit your written application in English, French, or a mixture of both. Alternative submission options (scheduled meeting or video) are described at the bottom of the application.
ELIGIBILITY
EVENT
The event must:
- take place in-person, in what is currently referred to as Canada, or the US.
HOWEVER
- If located in the US, applicants must articulate how their learnings from the event will reduce the impacts of the climate crisis in what is currently referred to as Canada.
- The individual must be: Youth (aged 30 or under)
AND/OR
- Indigenous folks from Turtle Island (what is currently North America) can apply aged 35 or under
AND
- The individual must be grassroots and/or conducting not-for-profit activities. The Youth Harbour cannot support for-profit activities
HOWEVER
- the event being accessed can contain for-profit activities.
IDENTITY
Identify within an equity deserving group.
CITIZENSHIP
Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, refugee status or a visa.
LANGUAGE
English or French.
REASON FOR FUNDING
There are three key areas that The Youth Harbour seeks to support youth through Action Grants. Applicants must fall generally under at least one of of these three:
1) Advocacy & Mobilization
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding in order to urgently mobilize their community; change a policy; shift the cultures and attitudes of their community, etc.
2) Connecting & Networking
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding in order to connect with peers, mentors, and/or professionals in their sector to build their network, strategize, fundraise, etc.
3) Professional & Skills Development
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding in order to gain skills through training, workshops, etc.
APPLYING MULTIPLE TIMES
- An individual or multiple people from the same organization or project can receive up to two Access Grants during a 12-month period.
- Applicants may also simultaneously apply to other granting opportunities that The Youth Harbour offers; this does not help or hinder any of their applications in any other granting streams.
HOWEVER
- Core staff or volunteers who are recipients of the Assembly Grant cannot apply for an Access Grant in order to attend the same event that is being funded through Assembly Grants.
- Applicants who are selected will receive a 6 or 12 month contract, and are not able to reapply to Access Grants until 12 months after the submission of their final report.
APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS
STAGE 1: STAFF JURIES ROUND 1
Purpose
Initial assessment of applications to ensure that the applicant meets all requirements.
Who is involved
The Youth Harbour’s assessors (comprised of FES staff members)
STAGE 2: INDIVIDUAL ADVISORY ASSESSMENTS
Purpose
To determine final amounts granted per applicant.
Who is involved
The Youth Harbour’s assessors
Key indicators that we look for in an application
- Clearly demonstrates the purpose of the event and your motivation for attending.
- Shows the potential of skills building and network expansion.
- Can identify ways in which the event is engaging with equity-deserving groups.
All applicants will be notified by email when a decision has been made regarding their application.
If your application is successful, grantees of The Youth Harbour can expect to review contracts for signature, disbursement timelines, and general expectations.
A final reporting template will be provided and completed on the agreed upon date between FES and The Youth Harbour grantee.
If your application is unsuccessful, there is no process for reapplication as the pool of funds has likely been completely disbursed. Please check the website or social media for any updates.
Overall communication and support is available in English and French.
The Youth Harbour does not support, partner with, affiliate itself with, or provide grants to groups that:
- Perpetuate systemic biases and discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, colour, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, or veteran or disability status.
- Promote or support violence, aggression, prejudice, or oppression or any infringement on human rights, with a strong emphasis on the infringement of Indigenous rights.
- Force, coerce, or exclude others based on religious or spiritual beliefs.
- Are connected to political parties, political rallies, or otherwise partisan work.
- Promote or partake in unsustainable practices and/or do not have an adequate climate plan in place to address the climate crisis in response to its unsustainable practices.
- Has a track record of tokenizing youth or disrespecting the voices of youth.
NOTIFY US OF OPPORTUNITIES
While we try to do our best to keep this list up to date we still may miss important upcoming events and convenings. We encourage you to do your own research or connect with grants@fesplanet.org to identify potential opportunities.
OPEN CALL FOR ORGANIZING GROUPS
Organizing groups offering skill development opportunities for youth are invited to reach out to us.
We’d like to thank all of our supporters that have contributed to the efforts at The Youth Harbour.
