Cuso's Northern Canada Program helps northern youth turn their potential into opportunity
Working alongside youth, communities, schools, Indigenous organizations, and local partners across Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, the program supports pathways to education, employment, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.
Cuso's work in Canada's north is grounded in the belief that northern communities already possess the strengths, knowledge, leadership, and cultural foundations needed to shape their own futures. Our role is to work alongside communities to support locally identified priorities, invest in youth-led solutions, and create opportunities that help young people build skills, confidence, connections, and leadership experience.
Meaningful opportunities for northern youth
The program seeks to help youth connect present-day experiences with future possibilities by creating opportunities for leadership, mentorship, skills development, education, employment, and entrepreneurship that are grounded in local realities and community aspirations.
- Education and Employment Pathways: Helping youth develop the skills, experiences, connections, and confidence needed to pursue further education, training, and employment opportunities.
- Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity: Supporting youth to explore innovation, entrepreneurship, local economic development, and future career pathways that contribute to economic resilience.
- Youth and Community Leadership: Creating opportunities for young people to lead initiatives, contribute to their communities, strengthen decision-making skills, and build positive futures for themselves and others.
Funding for youth-led solutions
Canada's north has some of the world's most inspiring and creative young leaders who are passionate about making lasting change in their communities. Through Cuso's Micro-Grants for northern youth, young leaders can access up to $5,000 towards making their ideas a reality. In addition to financial support, young leaders receive mentorship in project management, communication, leadership, budgeting, problem solving, and much more.
Here are some examples of projects lead by Cuso's micro-grant recipients:
- A traditional Dene drum making workshop for local youth led by Indigenous Elder in NWT.
- Backcountry cooking & voyageur canoe tour for youth in NWT.
- Walrus meat fermentation process teachings for youth
- Youth summer sports and recreation activities in NU.
- Traditional hand-games workshops in YK.
SPOTLIGHT: REANNA, NWT
Indigenous Youth-led Initiative, Making an Impact and Creating Opportunities for Other Youth:
Reanna was working at a hide camp when she learned her application was approved, becoming the first Cuso northern youth micro-grant recipient. With the funds received, she organized the Northern and Dene Games Kick-Off, including traditional games such as one-foot-high-kick, two-foot-high-kick, arm pull and stick pull, as well as fish cutting, duck plucking, and a craft table were also available.
Empower Your Community with Cuso Micro-Grants
About Cuso Micro-Grants
Cuso will provide small grants of up to $5,000 to Indigenous Youth Leaders to support projects taking place in Northern Canada. Youth Leaders (Grantees) will receive mentorship, training, and capacity-building to support the implementation of the project.
Guidelines for Micro-Granting
Grantees will be:
- Indigenous Youth (ages 15-30)
- Currently living in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or another region of Inuit Nunangat.
For the purpose of this program, Cuso defines Indigenous as status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples in Canada, living both on and off reserve.
Projects will:
1. Be designed and implemented by Indigenous Youth: Focus on programming, training, or capacity building opportunities for Indigenous youth (ages 15-30), based on specific needs in communities. The micro-grant can be used as a steppingstone to start a larger project or implement a new idea.
2. Contribute to one or more of:
- Reconciliation
- Building an Inclusive Canada
- Preserving the environment
- Strengthening youth resilience
3. Benefit at least 10 youth (including the Youth leader). Projects can involve and benefit other actors in addition to the Indigenous Youth, ex. parents, teachers, adults, Elders, etc.
Cuso will NOT fund projects that are:
- Political in nature
- Not youth-led
- Do not benefit Indigenous youth
- Projects or activities taking place outside of Nunavut, Northwest Territories or The Yukon in Canada.
- Part of for-profit businesses or corporations, or
- Involve distributing substances (i.e. alcohol, non-traditional tobacco, marijuana, illicit substances, etc).
Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by Cuso and its Advisory Group. In addition to the eligibility requirements above, consideration will be given to:
- New and emerging Indigenous youth-led grassroots groups and collectives
- Projects that are testing and/or trying a new idea
- New groups who have never run a project before
- Youth leaders/groups who have never received funding from Cuso
Reporting and Evaluation
Surveys - Cuso may, from time to time, circulate surveys to Youth Leaders and/or to Group Members to assess how things are going in the projects. If there are technical difficulties, then surveys can be conducted in an alternative way (ex. on a phone call).
Final Report – Within 2 months of project completion, Grantees will submit a project report that will include the financial report (how much money you spent). You can report in whatever format you like. Grantees will receive a sample reporting template as part of the funding agreement.
Release of Funds
Cuso does not issue cheques. Funding will be sent to Grantees via a bank transfer/direct deposit. Banking details for the Youth Leader will be required. If banking is an obstacle, let’s discuss other ways!
NOTE: If a group is applying, it is the designated Youth Leader who submitted the application that will sign the funding agreement and receive the funding. The Youth Leader will also be the main contact with Cuso.
Co-Applicants
If an individual is applying for a grant on behalf of a Youth leader/Youth group due to certain challenges or barriers, an Indigenous Youth from the group should still be listed as a Co-Applicant and be contactable to discuss the proposed project.
Cuso is committed to reducing barriers for youth applicants and to work on a case-by-case basis to identify alternative application means. Please contact us to discuss.
Trustees
If a Grantee is not of age to enter a legal agreement (under the age of 18), a Trustee will be required to co-sign the funding agreement.
Timelines
Grantees will receive funds within two weeks of submitting a signed funding agreement.
Application Form
Ensure you have reviewed and understand the Micro-Grant Funding Guidelines.
Complete, sign and submit the application form.
If you are having technical difficulties or cannot complete this form on a device or through the Cuso website form, please reach out to grants@cusointernational.org