National Youth Climate Activism Award

The third annual National Youth Climate Activism Award launched last month and is now accepting applications from youth in the climate activism space across the country.

The contest was inaugurated in British Columbia in 2022 and this is the first year applicants from across the country are encouraged to enter.

The National Youth Climate Activism Award arose from the question: how can we share the stories held in the hearts of Canada’s youth, striking and marching, protesting and speaking out about the state of our planet? 

The idea is to recognize youth by way of their stories. Submissions include a video of up to five minutes or a 500 word story which are then judged by a panel of fellow students. 

Open to Canadian youth under 20 in any grade, it is a generous award ($500 for elementary school students and $1000 for high school students) and requires students to demonstrate devotion to taking meaningful steps towards improving the outlook for our planet with respect to climate change. 

The award is managed by the Institute for Sustainability Education and Action [I – SEA] a registered Canadian charity that has been working diligently in the climate sphere for seventeen years.

In 2023, the Youth Climate Cabinet [YCC] was formed and comprised of former winners, effectively promoting from within and ensuring continuity. The Youth Climate Cabinet members are the custodians, promoters, exemplars and judges of the award. These young adjudicators have developed a highly functional rubric for framing the adjudication process in a fair and open manner. 

On February 14th, the online submission opened and will receive stories until it closes on Earth Day, April 22. 

"When I won the award in 2022, I had no idea how far it would take me. From my pursuit of a dual-major in Economics and Environmental Studies, to the tremendous professional and social opportunity I have been granted. Today, as chair of the YCC and Board member of I-SEA, I see our National Award providing opportunity and recognition to youth across Canada protecting, preserving, and reconciling with the environment.” - Parker Little, 2022 YCAA recipient.

The youthful dynamos of the YCC have ambitious plans to grow the program into a widely recognized and prestigious spotlight on young climate activists. By celebrating the inspiring stories of these young change-makers, the award seeks to catalyze a broader movement of individual climate action across the country.

It’s a simple idea but it’s a big idea: shine a light so that youth can see the positive efforts their friends are making. Shine a light so that adults, communities and politicians can see these young spirits on fire by virtue of an award that becomes a symbol of the power of youthful voices. These inspiring messages will populate out into the virtual world as good news stories that help us all push back against climate despair.

Momentum is fundamental to our motto, “nurturing the unstoppable wave“ inspired by a speech we witnessed by Greta Thunburg on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery in 2019. 

For more information about the National Youth Climate Activism Award or to submit an application, please visit https://www.youthclimateactivismaward.org/. Follow us on @ycaaward for updates and join the conversation using #YouthClimateActivismAward.

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