About the Youth Advocacy Program

UNICEF Canada’s Youth Advocacy Program is looking for young people between the ages of 13-24. This is your chance to build knowledge, strengthen your skills, and learn how to become a powerful advocate for the issues that matter most to you. 

Applications for the 2026 program are now open.

FAQ’s

What is the Youth Advocacy Program?

UNICEF Canada’s Youth Advocacy Program is a 10-month online program that helps young people learn the skills and knowledge needed to become powerful advocates and activists in Canada.

This program is designed for young people aged 13–24 who are passionate about advocacy, activism, and creating meaningful change. It’s ideal for those who want to learn the step-by-step process of developing an advocacy plan, understand their legal rights as advocates, and discover how to effectively influence decision-makers.

When does it take place?

The 2026 program will run from February 2026 to December 2026. There are monthly core sessions, with space for additional sessions as identified by participants. The sessions will last anywhere between 1.5-3 hours. 

What does the program provide?

The program provides:

  1. Opportunity to learn more about advocacy, your rights, the government decision-making process, and how to become powerful advocates and activists to improve the lives of young people across Canada
  2. Opportunity to connect with diverse young people from across Canada
  3. Opportunity to learn from youth and adults who have successfully advocated for change in their communities and for vulnerable children and youth around the world
  4. Opportunity to be involved in UNICEF Canada advocacy initiatives advocating for children's rights domestically and internationally
  5. Opportunity to develop your own advocacy plan based on your advocacy interests
  6. Opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers about the issues you are passionate about
  7. Opportunity to collaborate with, teach and learn from others in a participatory environment
     

UNICEF Canada will provide a certificate of completion to participants who complete the program by attending all core sessions.

Upon completion, you will be invited to join an alumni network where you can keep in touch with your peers to share advocacy initiatives, strategies, and support each other in the future.

How is the program delivered?

The curriculum will be delivered online over Zoom. The sessions will be interactive and engaging, using participatory, youth-centred engagement methods to facilitate multi-generational dialogue and maximum participation by all participants. Scheduled sessions will be complemented by the opportunity for young people to self-organize through small group work and virtual meet-ups.

What topics will be covered?

The curriculum will explore the following themes:

  • Self-care
  • Advocacy 101
  • Your rights
  • How to Develop an Advocacy Plan
    • Deciding what you want to advocate for and who you need to influence
    • How governments work (role of Ministers, role of the House of Commons and the Senate/Legislature, mandate letters, the legislative process)
    • How to engage people who can influence decision-makers
    • How to talk to people in government about the issues you are passionate about
    • Communicating about an advocacy issue and raising awareness
  • Other topics identified by youth participants

What is required to participate?

  1. Accepted participants are expected to actively engage in the program by committing 2–5 hours per month from February to December. Attendance at core sessions is mandatory, and sessions will be scheduled at a time that works for the majority of participants.
  2. Consistent participation is essential to get the most out of the experience.
  3. The Youth Advocacy Program is free.

Who should apply?

Experience with advocacy and activism is not a requirement.

We welcome applications from young people who are:

  1. Ages 13-24
  2. Living in Canada
  3. Passionate about learning or further developing their advocacy knowledge and skills
  4. Able to commit 2-5 hours per month from February to December

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for reasonable accommodation can be made at any stage of the application process upon request.

Applications for the 2026 program are now open until December 15, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.

Need more information? Contact youth@unicef.ca.

Thank you for your interest in UNICEF Canada’s Youth Advocacy Program! We will contact you before January 31, 2026.