Youth Advocacy Program 2026

UNICEF Canada’s Youth Advocacy Program is looking for young people between the ages of 13-24. This is an opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills and learn how to become powerful advocates and activists on the issues that you are passionate about. 

Applications for the 2025 program are now closed. Applications for the 2026 program will open on November 20, 2025.

What is the Youth Advocacy Program?

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.

When does it take place?

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. 

What does the program provide?

The program provides:

1. 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
2. Opportunity to connect with diverse young people from across Canada
3. Opportunity to learn from youth and adults who have successfully advocated for change in their communities and for vulnerable children and youth around the world
4. Opportunity to be involved in UNICEF Canada advocacy initiatives advocating for children’s rights domestically and internationally
5. Opportunity to develop your own advocacy plan based on your advocacy interests
6. Opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers about the issues you are passionate about
7. Opportunity to collaborate with, teach and learn from others in a participatory environment
    

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.

How is the program delivered?

The curriculum will be delivered online over Zoom. The sessions will be interactive and engaging, using participatory, youth-centred engagement methods to facilitate multi-generational dialogue and maximum participation by all participants. Scheduled sessions will be complemented by the opportunity for young people to self-organize through small group work and virtual meet-ups.

What topics will be 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 awareness
• Other topics identified by youth participants

What is required to participate?

1. 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.
2. The Youth Advocacy Program is free.

Who should apply?

Experience with advocacy and activism is not a requirement.

We welcome applications from young people who are:

1. Ages 13-24
2. Living in Canada
3. Passionate about learning or further developing your advocacy knowledge and skills
4. Able to commit 2-5 hours per month from February to December

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the application process upon request.

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How to Apply:

Thank you for your interest in UNICEF Canada’s Youth Advocacy Program! We will contact you before January 31, 2025.

Apply here!