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.
Sign Up For a Virtual Info Session!
The next cohort will run from *September 15, 2025, to January 5, 2026
There will be a 3-day in-person retreat from *October 3 to 6, 2025
Participants will have until February 16, 2026 (Cohort 2), respectively, to submit their receipts for grant-related expenses.
We are now accepting applications on a rolling basis. This means we will review applications as they are received and encourage interested applicants to apply early for priority consideration. Upcoming review dates are July 28th, August 11th, and August 25th.
Final application deadline is 9:00 am PT, August 25, 2025.
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.
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