Applications are invited for the UNICEF Canada Youth Advocacy Program 2025. UNICEF Canada’s Youth Advocacy Program is a 10-month online program that helps young people learn the skills and knowledge needed to become powerful advocates and activists in Canada.

The program is designed for young people between the ages of 13-24 who are passionate about advocacy, activism, and creating change. It is for young people who want to learn more about the step-by-step process of creating an advocacy plan, their legal rights as advocates, and how to influence decision-makers. UNICEF Canada Youth Advocacy Program in 2025 will take place from February to December 2025. There are monthly core sessions, with space for additional sessions as identified by participants. The sessions will last anywhere between 1.5-3 hours.

Topics Covered

The curriculum will explore the following themes:

• Self-care
• Advocacy 101
• Your rights 
• How to Develop an Advocacy Plan in 9 steps
  • Deciding what you want to advocate for and who you need to influence
  • How governments work (role of Ministers, role of the House of Commons and the Senate/Legislature, mandate letters, the legislative process)
  • How to engage people who can influence decision-makers
  • How to talk to people in government about the issues you are passionate about
  • Communicating about an advocacy issue and raising awarenessons
• Other topics identified by youth participants

Benefits

The program provides:

• Opportunity to learn more about advocacy, your rights, the government decision-making process, and how to become powerful advocates and activists to improve the lives of young people across Canada.
• Opportunity to connect with diverse young people from across Canada.
• Opportunity to learn from youth and adults who have successfully advocated for change in their communities.
• Opportunity to be involved in UNICEF Canada advocacy initiatives.
• Develop your own advocacy plan based on your advocacy interests.
• Connect directly with decision-makers about the issues you are passionate about.
• A participatory learning environment where you can collaborate and learn with/from, others.

UNICEF Canada will provide a certificate of completion to participants who complete the program by attending the core sessions. Upon completion, you will be invited to join an alumni network where you can keep in touch with your peers to share advocacy initiatives, strategies, and support each other in the future.

Eligibility

• Applicant should be aged 13-24;
• Be living in Canada;
• Passionate about learning or further developing your advocacy knowledge and skills;
• Able to commit 2-5 hours per month from February to December.

Application

Accepted participants are expected to commit 2-5 hours per month to the program from February to December and be available for the core sessions. Sessions will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for all participants.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit UNICEF Canada.