When launching CitySHAPES in 2023, we asked the local community for support to advance our city building efforts.
We were very grateful for the response, and thought long and hard about how best to use those resources.
As advocates for better cities, we were both sensitive to one critical missing piece in city building — the engagement of more young people.
City Hall has an large impact on the quality of life that future generations can expect. Whether homes are within reach. Whether people have real options for getting around town. Whether our cities adapt to a changing climate.
To get more young people involved in advocating at City Hall, we’re pleased to announce that CitySHAPES have launched a partnership with Youth Action Now.
That partnership has three elements.
We’re holding a contest in early 2025 for the best Ottawa city socials.
We’re encouraging youth who have something to say about their city, to say it out loud. To create something on their socials that relates to municipal issues – transit, housing, police, parks, garbage, trees, traffic … – and tag it on Instagram with #Our613 and @YouthActionNow
Youth Action Network are giving away prizes to the best entries posted by youth, up to age 30. Whatever format — memes, reels, long videos, posts, podcasts, …
Just focused on issues that City Hall has some control over.
Find more information on the official page of the best Socials in the City contest.
We’re training Ottawa-area youth on how to most effectively advocate for a better city. Whether that’s transit, housing or something else, we’re bringing our Playbook for Effective Advocacy to life for youth leaders.
CitySHAPES and Youth Action Now are hosting an in-person training session in late January. The training will follow the outline of our highly-rated workshops.
Youth leaders from across the City are invited to apply to join this training, at no cost, by clicking on the button below.
Youth Action Now has been providing start-up and momentum grants to youth organizations since its founding.
Youth, up to age 30, are now welcome to apply to a new city building sub stream within the community building grant stream.
Applying is through the same application form as other Youth Action Now grants.
We know that youth care about their city, and many will get involved if given the opportunity.
We hope this partnership will provide an on-ramp for youth to get involved in building a better Ottawa.
We’re trying to reach as many youth as possible in the Ottawa area.
Maybe that’s you.
Or maybe you know someone under 30 who cares about building a better Ottawa.
If so, please forward this email and encourage them to get in touch through the three program elements listed above.
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