“What is your boldest idea to respond to an urgent local need?”
Quesnel Community Foundation co-ordinator Anna Rankin says they are still looking for Quesnel and area youth to come up with a project that addresses this central question through the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge.
The Quesnel Community Foundation successfully applied to be part of this challenge and is looking for applicants.
The challenge opened May 22, and Rankin is encouraging local youth to apply and hoping that people in the community will be able to spread the word about this funding opportunity.
“We have $15,000 for Quesnel and area to provide to a youth-led project,” Rankin explained during a presentation to the Quesnel Rotary Club on July 4. “It has to be youth-led, but they also need to partner with a non-profit.”
Rankin says for this grant program, a youth is someone aged 15 to 29.
“For youth who want to take on this project, they are asking what is an urgent local need,” said Rankin. “This is a really great opportunity, and I think it would be really sad if that money went back without being used. That money is already here. It’s for Quesnel.”
The projects must address community priorities such as environment, food security, employment, learning, health, wellness, inclusion, belonging, and reconciliation and restoration.
Rankin says the applications will be reviewed by a local team, which includes local youth.
The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge is a call to action for youth, and an opportunity to bring young leaders to the decision-making table and is part of RBC Future Launch, a commitment to empower Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow. It aims to provide youth with opportunities to lead, learn new skills, gain experience and build relationships in their local communities — all things that will help them prepare for the future of work.
This Community Challenge goes far beyond Quesnel, as participating community foundations will make grants and learning opportunities available to youth-led initiatives in 150 communities from coast to coast to coast.
Grant applications from local youth will be accepted until Sept. 18.
Visit quesnelfoundation.com for an applicant guide or email qcf@shaw.ca for more information about the challenge.