ACSEL

Alberta Civil Society Emerging Leaders Microgrant Program 

ACSEL seeks to encourage the civic participation of Alberta youth by providing 35 Canada Service Corps alumni (aged 18 to 30 years old) support and resources to develop new or enhance pre-existing community-based projects. Successful applicants will receive a $5,000 grant to help implement their work and will participate in a series of learning workshops on the fundamentals of project management and community service. 

1. A space to develop leadership skills by learning about community work and the fundamentals of project management (e.g., marketing, budgeting, and operational planning). 
2. The opportunity to learn and grow alongside individuals who want to positively impact the community.
3. Access to a grant resource to help with project planning and implementation.

How it works 

1. Attend info and workshop session

ACSEL will host two info sessions, each followed by a workshopping activity for individuals looking to brainstorm or scale their community project ideas:  

The sessions are open to both Canada Service Corps alumni and non-alumni. Please note that only Canada Service Corps alumni are eligible to apply as project leads. 

2. Determine whether you need a project team 

Each service project must have a project lead responsible for submitting the application and receiving the grant. Project leads must be able to commit to program check-ins and attend at least 6 of the 8 learning sessions between May and June 2023.  

Project Lead Eligibility:  

• Must be 18-30 years of age at the time of application;  
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or has been granted refugee status in Canada;  
• Must have participated and completed a program funded by the Canada Service Corps; and 
• Must have a significant tie to Alberta (e.g., have some kind of residence in the province, attend school in Alberta, etc.). 

If forming a project team, 40% of the team members (aka catalysts) must be from Alberta and they do not need to be Canada Service Corps alumni. 

Catalyst Eligibility:  

• Must be 18-30 years of age at the time of application; and  
• Must have a significant tie to Alberta (e.g., a residence in the province, attend school in Alberta). 

3. Fill out the application form

The ACSEL team will communicate with applicants regardless of their application status three weeks after the submission closing date (April 1, 2023). If the application is successful, the project lead will receive more detailed information about the next steps. 

4. Attend weekly learning series

At this time, participants will receive the grant after all required documents are submitted. ACSEL will host weekly virtual learning sessions for 8 weeks. The topics are designed to help participants build foundational skills on project management and resilience, and critical community service. Project leads are encouraged to share their learnings with their project team (if applicable) and collaborate to further refine project plans. 

5. Implement project and evaluate

Participants will have a little over 7 months to bring their ideas to life. The ACSEL team will hold check-ins with the project leads to monitor progress and provide the appropriate support. 

6. Share about the project journey

Participants will have the opportunity to share their work with the community at a showcase event happening in March. Project leads will also submit a reflection piece of their experience and expense receipts. 

Questions?

Reach out to us at: youth@volunteeralbrta.ab.ca

Ready to Apply?

Before filling out the application form, read our application package for detailed information about ACSEL as well as project and grant eligibility, then…

…fill out our application form!

Application Deadline: April 1, 2023