New City Grant Program Supports Youth of African Descent

September 1, 2022

Today, on International Day for People of African Descent (IDPAD), the City of Victoria is introducing a new annual $25,000 youth grant program to support and empower Black youth in Victoria through leadership opportunities.

Individuals of African descent, informal community groups and non-profit organizations led by people of African descent that serve youth of African descent, can apply for up to $8,000 of funding through the IDPAD Youth Grant. The application period opens tomorrow and runs through September 21, 2022.

The new grant program is designed by the City’s International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) Advisory Committee with input from the community. The Advisory Committee will oversee the new grant program, evaluate applications and select projects to receive funding.

Programs eligible for the IDPAD Youth Grant could include youth-led programs that benefit youth of African descent; programs that create safe gathering spaces and build confidence and self-empowerment, including how to navigate systemic racism; the development of a Black Youth Council; and opportunities to learn about educational, scholarship and career opportunities.

To address anti-black racism, City Council adopted the International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024 and established the City’s IDPAD Advisory Committee in 2021.

Online Information Session

An online information session will be held on Wednesday, September 7 from 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. for the community to learn more about the new grant program and ask questions about their project ideas. The virtual session will be recorded and made available on the City’s website. 

To apply for the IDPAD Youth Grant or to register to attend the free, online information session, visit: victoria.ca/IDPAD.