WATERLOO REGION – The Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region (CYPT) and Smart Waterloo Region (SWR) are inviting youth to pitch their ideas for positive change. Youth can apply for up to $5,000 in funding with a total of $50,000 available. Following the success of the 2024 Youth Impact Project, the Region of Waterloo and United Way Waterloo Region Communities are continuing their support for youth-led initiatives through a second year of funding.
The 2025 Youth Impact Project launched on May 10th during the CYPT Youth Impact & Action Summit, in celebration of our community’s Youth Month.
“At United Way Waterloo Region, we believe meaningful change begins by listening to those closest to the challenges, and that includes our youth. By supporting innovative, youth-led projects, we are not only investing in solutions for today but laying the foundation for a brighter, more equitable future. These young leaders are showing us what’s possible when we empower upstream thinking and bold ideas,” said Joan Fisk, Chief Executive Officer of United Way Waterloo Region Communities.
“The 12 youth-led projects that received funding in 2024 made a big difference in Waterloo Region. The Youth Impact Project showed us that when young people are trusted with the tools to lead, it results in innovation, creativity, and impact. We’re proud to invest in it for a second year, and we’re excited to see how our youth continue to lead the way,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
United Way WRC invites the community to support this project through their Youth Impact Project campaign.
In 2024, 23 teams of youth (108 youth in total) from 15 community organizations pitched their ideas for meaningful change. A panel of nine youth evaluated the pitches and decided which youth ideas would receive funding. The major criteria: project ideas must directly reference the Waterloo Region Youth Impact Survey data and address challenges that youth experience in Waterloo Region.
12 youth-led projects received funding, including a basketball court restoration, an inclusive book club, and a youth vendor market that donated proceeds to OneROOF Youth Services. This year, the CYPT and SWR are accepting applications online. Youth who live in Waterloo Region can submit their video pitch, project timeline, and a budget. CYPT and SWR’s youth decision-making team will be assessing applications on a rolling basis until the first week of November – or until the money runs out. Youth who are interested can get information on how to apply on the Children and Youth Planning Table website.
About the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region:
The Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) is a member-driven partnership that includes over 1,000 service providers, researchers, planning bodies, and funders serving children, youth, and families in Waterloo Region. Their mission is to unite young people, organizations, and decision makers to take actions that prioritize the well-being of all children and youth in Waterloo Region. With over 120,000 young people living in Waterloo Region and an expected 250,000 by 2050, the CYPT is working to plan a community where every single one of them belongs. As of February 2025, Smart Waterloo Region became an entity nested under the CYPT and is working together with them to advance their Strategic Plan. Learn more about the Children and Youth Planning Table and their projects.
About United Way Waterloo Region Communities:
United Way Waterloo Region Communities believe that every person in every community deserves the opportunities, access, and connections they need to build a good life – regardless of their income, the neighbourhood they live in, or their social identity. Thanks to generous donors and partners, United Way WRC is privileged to collaborate with people, non-profits, and businesses to empower multiple innovative, impactful, and measurable solutions. United Way WRC fights local poverty by building and strengthening a network of local non-profit organizations that function as the region’s social safety net.
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:
Jillian Lawrie
Senior Marketing Manager
United Way Waterloo Region Communities
jlawrie@uwaywrc.ca
519-888-6100 ext. 218
Christine Frim
Supervisor, Marketing & Communications
Children and Youth Planning Table cfrim@regionofwaterloo.ca
(519) 503-6150