Eco-Action Accelerator
Supporting Canadian youth to scale environmental service projects for impact.
What is the Eco-Action Accelerator?
The Eco-Action Accelerator is a 6-month part-time microgrant program that provides Canada Service Corps (CSC) alumni with the tools to scale up a service project idea and produce expansion plans that focus on the long-term sustainability of the project. The program consists of 3-interconnected components that support the development and delivery of grantee service projects: a 3-day in-person retreat, 6 entrepreneurial workshops, and regular mentorship with a program coach and network of peers.
Grantees are expected to spend approximately 5-10 hours/week working on the program to meet the deliverables, and will benefit from:
- Funding from one of three competitive streams up to $5,000.
- Guidance to develop a long-term sustainable business plan for successful delivery or scaling of their project.
- A collaborative approach to project development that taps into participants’ knowledge and experience to build a unique network of support.
- Access to professional resources and subject matter experts.
Got Questions? Sign up for one of our upcoming info sessions:
Eligiblity
Applicants must:
- Be 19 to 30 years old at the time of application;
- Be an alum of a Canada Service Corps (CSC) program;
- Have a service project idea contributing to positive environmental change by addressing climate change, plastic & pollution, or overfishing either directly (ex. reducing reliance on single-use plastics, restoring habitats, improving access to sustainable seafood, etc.) or indirectly (ex. encouraging nature connectedness, promoting accessibility & inclusivity in environmental spaces, raising awareness of environmental issues, combating climate anxiety & eco-grief, etc.); and
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person granted refugee status in Canada.
Program Expectations
During the 6-month program, Accelerator Grantees are expected to:
- Participate in a 3-day retreat (costs associated with the in-person retreat will be covered including: food, lodging, transportation);
- Engage fully in 6 virtual workshops and discussions tailored to developing appropriate skills;
- Engage fully in regular mentorship opportunities with peers;
- Lead an individual or collaborative project that contributes to positive change for the environment either directly or indirectly (see examples in Eligibility above);
- Keep all relevant receipts to submit an expense report and a final report prior to the program end date; and
- Develop and submit a scale-up and/or long-term sustainable project plan
Outcomes
- Project Development & Delivery | Using design thinking principles, develop a comprehensive short and long-term sustainable business plan, including a model of change and results chain. Delivery of the project with a clear definition of success that encapsulates growth in the project’s reach, scope, or longevity.
- Entrepreneurial & Project Management Skills | Apply new entrepreneurial skills and knowledge gained from attending 6 workshops and the 3-day retreat to both the project development and when providing feedback to peers.
- Reconciliation, Inclusion & Accessibility | Identify and incorporate actions for reconciliation, inclusion, and accessibility within the service project.
- Capacity for Environmental & Community Action | Expand understanding of, interest in, and capacity for environmental action and active participation in the community through scaling of the service project.
Partners
Eco-Action Accelerator is funded in part by Canada Service Corps, a national movement that empowers youth aged 15–30 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps.
Learn More