Equal Futures 2023 – Bursary Program

Equal Futures 2023: A Gender Equality Summit, organized by the Equal Futures Network an initiative of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH), is an opportunity to convene the gender equality (GE) community in Canada and lay the groundwork for their collective and collaborative work to advance gender equality from coast-to-coast-to-coast. The Summit will provide a platform for key GE actors to come together, build coherence around common goals while breaking down silos to develop partnerships and strengthen connections between organizations. In addition, the Summit will focus on providing a platform to amplify and centre the diversity of voices and opinions, in particular those who experience historic and ongoing marginalization including, but not limited to: Indigenous, racialized, gender diverse, youth and other marginalized communities. 

Youth are key constituents in advancing gender equality activities in Canada now and looking to the future. In order to support meaningful youth engagement at the Summit, the Equal Futures Network along with our event partner, the Department of Women and Gender Equality, and our Youth Partners, are excited to present the following youth bursary opportunity.

Bursary Program

The Equal Futures Network is committed to ensuring that young people in Canada across all geographies, ages and backgrounds can attend the Gender Equality Summit in Whitehorse, Yukon from May 17-18, 2023 to develop partnerships and meaningfully participate in the important discussions that will take place.

The Bursaries will provide financial assistance to youth who would otherwise be unable to attend and Bursary Recipients will receive full-funding to attend the Summit, including: 

• Summit registration; 
• Domestic travel to and from Whitehorse, Yukon; 
• Accommodation while in Whitehorse, and;
• A small stipend for the duration of the Summit, subject to the specific details and limitations outlined below.

The Bursaries are open to individuals between the ages of 18 (as of May 1, 2023) and under 30 (as of December 31, 2023), but preference will be given to applicants working/volunteering/interning in initiatives that work to advance gender equality and social justice in communities across Canada, women’s health, rights and wellbeing and with grassroots/community/volunteer-led organizations and entities with small operating budgets. Additional consideration will focus on providing access for and ensuring representation from on-going and historically marginalized and diverse groups.

The number of Bursaries provided will depend on the final amount of Youth Partners and on the locations of recipients. We anticipate funding 15 individuals.

Deadline to apply: February 26, 11:59 p.m. EDT

Please note that only selected applicants will be contacted. We anticipate informing successful applicants by March 10, 2023. 

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be between 18 (as of May 1, 2023) and 30 (as of December 31, 2023);
• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;

• Must provide one (1) letter of reference; 
• Must fill out the questionnaire (application form) linked here (ENG or FR); 
• Must be available to attend the entire Summit in Whitehorse, Yukon from May 17-18. Where necessary travel days may take place one day before the Summit (May 16th) and depart one day after the Summit finishes (May 19th). 

Important criteria for selection of delegates include:

• Interest in, and understanding of gender equality, and women’s health, rights and wellbeing in a Canadian context;
• Demonstrated experience as an advocate for social change, community engagement and passion for the well-being of others;
• Depth of connection with the Equal Futures Network;
• Motivation to contribute to the Equal Futures Network’s efforts advancing the needle for gender equality in Canada and driving progress for the health, rights and well-being of women, girls and gender-diverse individuals domestically;
  • Build strong networking relations with the other Conference Delegates, key stakeholders and Bursary recipients in order to make connections that last beyond the Summit;
• Commitment to learn new information, gain new skills, and participate in the Equal Futures Network’s projects before, during and even beyond the 2023 Summit;
  • Availability to participate in a zoom call (video call) with other youth bursary recipients in advance of the Summit;
  • Write a brief report either in writing or other medium on their experience after the Summit that may be used in social and/or traditional media.

Other details of Bursary:

• International travel will not be covered;
• Travel to major transportation hub (e.g. airport) will not be covered, except where the costs would impact the recipient’s ability to attend;
• Local travel in Whitehorse, Yukon will not be covered;
• Recipients will be provided with a stipend to cover extraneous expenses (additional meals outside of the lunch covered by the conference for ex.), but will otherwise be expected to pay for any other costs not noted here.

Selection Process 

Applicants will be selected by a committee identified by the Equal Futures Network Secretariat. 

Consideration will be given to how applicants have demonstrated the potential impact of their attendance. As noted above, preference will be given to applicants working, volunteering and/or interning in initiatives that work to advance gender equality and social justice in communities across Canada, women’s health, rights and wellbeing and with grassroots/community/volunteer-led organizations and entities with small operating budgets. 

Additional consideration on providing access for and ensuring representation from marginalized and diverse groups.

Timeline

• February 9, 2023 – Launch Youth Bursary Program
• February 26, 11:59 p.m. EDT – Deadline for Applications
• Week of February 27- March 4 – Bursary Selection Committee Meets and selects successful applicants
• Week of March 6 – Inform Successful Applicants
• May 17-18, 2023 – Equal Futures 2023: A Gender Equality Summit takes place