CoLab Program offers grant money to help youth activists get their ideas for social change off the ground

BY PAUL JUNOR

It was recently revealed that $50,000 in grant money is available to youth between the age of 19 and 29 years of age to help them fund their ideas.

CoLab is an innovation accelerator that helps the next generation of: leaders, activists, innovators, entrepreneurs and critical thinkers who provide business solutions to Canada’s most pressing problems. CoLab will offer them access to investment and mentorship via industry and academic benefits. Two grants of $10,000 and six grants of $5,000 are available. Benefits to youth selected include:

• Access to leading Canadian thought leaders as mentors
• Learn design thinking and problem solving
• Two inspiration sessions led by dynamic speakers
• Time commitment: 2-4 hours per week for 7 weeks
• Your own the IP for your idea
• 2022 CoLab Program is 100% remote/online

The grant will go towards youth who are interested in one of the three social challenges:

Climate grief

The effects of climate change are negative impacts on people’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Thinking of the future with such a cumbersome issue causes deep grief and dread.

Cultural sensitivity in the mental health industry

Institutions around mental health lack the cultural competence to address the harms, traumas and complexities of marginalized communities in Canada.

Spread of misinformation

Misinformation, polarization, and radicalism are major barriers in trusting political and non-political institutions. Social media plays a critical role in perpetuating the negative impact but is an inescapable reality that needs addressing.

Some of the speakers who will be presenting to the youth activists include:

• Brandon Gonez- Founder and CEO of GMI, website: brandongonezshow.com
• Fae Johnstone, Executive Director of Wisdom2Action at faejohnstone.com
• Kehkashan Basu, Global influencer, Environmentalist, climate reality mentor
• Geoff Cape, Founder and CEO of Evergreen, developer of programs for cities
• Nivi Achanta, Founder and CEO of Soapbox, website: naviachanta.com

Applications are open to next-gen leaders who are 18-29 years of age who are interested in climate change, mental health and/or spread of misinformation.

Solution ideas can focus on: entrepreneurship, awareness or action campaign, minimum viable product or an evolution of a current system. Youth who are selected will start the week of July 4^th, 2022, and end the week of August 29^th,2022. Awards will be given out on August 29^th, 2022.

Aside from the $50,000 prize money, youth participants will receive a $750 honorarium upon completion of the program.