Many young Canadians want to lead projects that strengthen their communities or connect with peers across the country, but finding the right federal youth funding programs can be confusing. Two core programs from Canadian Heritage — Youth Take Charge and Exchanges Canada — are designed specifically for youth-led projects and exchanges. Both are open federal programs and focus on learning, civic engagement, and national connection.
Federal youth funding programs are not business grants in the traditional sense. They are non-repayable contributions that support learning, leadership, and participation. The Youth Take Charge Program and Exchanges Canada are the two main options if your project is led by youth or focuses on youth exchanges within Canada.
The Youth Take Charge Program is delivered by the Department of Canadian Heritage and supports youth-led community projects across Canada.
What the program funds Projects must be led by youth and focus on at least one of the following areas:
Projects are expected to help participants gain skills, knowledge, and experience while contributing to their community.
Who can apply While youth lead the projects, applications are typically submitted by:
Youth are actively involved in planning and decision-making, which is a key eligibility requirement.
Funding details
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province, youth age range, and project type in seconds.
Exchanges Canada is another federal youth funding program under Canadian Heritage. It supports exchanges and forums that bring together youth from different regions of Canada.
What the program funds
The goal is to help youth learn about Canada, meet peers from different backgrounds, and build a stronger sense of belonging.
Who can apply Applications are submitted by eligible organizations that design and deliver exchange programs for youth. Individual youth typically participate through approved projects rather than applying directly.
Funding details
While each program has its own guidelines, most federal youth funding programs share common eligibility principles:
Understanding these rules early can save time and prevent ineligible applications.
Submitting a project that is not truly youth-led
Programs like Youth Take Charge expect youth involvement in planning and decisions, not just attendance.
Assuming individuals can always apply directly
Most federal youth funding programs require an organization to apply, even if youth lead the project.
Ignoring learning outcomes
Projects must show how youth will gain skills, knowledge, or experience, not just complete activities.
Missing program-specific priorities
Exchanges Canada and Youth Take Charge fund different types of activities. Mixing them can weaken your application.
Q: Is the Youth Take Charge Program a grant or a loan?
It is non-repayable federal funding. Approved projects do not need to pay the funding back.
Q: How much funding can Youth Take Charge provide?
Funding amounts vary and depend on the size and scope of the project. There is no single flat amount listed.
Q: Can a youth group apply without an incorporated organization?
In most cases, an eligible organization must submit the application, even if youth lead the project.
Q: Are youth exchanges required to be in person?
No. Exchanges Canada supports both in-person and virtual exchanges, depending on the project design.
Q: Is funding from these programs taxable?
Tax treatment depends on the recipient organization. Non-profits typically treat grants as project revenue, not personal income.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your youth project or organization profile.
Federal youth funding programs can support powerful youth-led projects and exchanges when eligibility rules are clear from the start. If you are exploring options beyond Youth Take Charge or Exchanges Canada, GrantHub helps you compare federal, provincial, and local programs based on youth age, project type, and location — all in one place.
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