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What is Youth Action?

Youth Action is United Way Ottawa's for-youth-by-youth program.
Youth Action is young people who...

  • make a difference
  • transform ideas for creative projects into reality
  • believe in change and taking action
  • make decisions about their community

Youth Action gives young people a voice and helps to build leadership. Created in 2001, the Youth Action program has been empowering young people to make a difference. How do we do it?

We Work Together

The Youth Action Panel, a group of young people ages 13 to 19, volunteer their time and expertise with United Way Ottawa. Their main objective is to invest resources in youth-led community-building projects through Youth Action Grants. The Panel also advises United Way Ottawa on youth issues and initiatives in our community and provides workshops and information on youth engagement. They support the work of United Way Ottawa in the community acting as ambassadors in their schools and communities, and they help plan youth-oriented events.

We Make Things Happen

Each year, the Youth Action Panel can invest up to $60,000 in youth led projects and initiatives. The Youth Action Panel is primarily responsible for soliciting and reviewing youth group grant proposals and investing up to $2,500 in projects that will have a measurable impact on youth in the community. Since its inception, the Youth Action Panel has distributed more than $400,000 in grants in youth-led projects.