Deadline: July 31, 2026
Applications are open for the Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) Youth Policy-Makers Hub 2026-2027. Recognizing the wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership that youth bring to the international cooperation sector, OCIC’s Youth Policy-Makers Hub (YPH) seeks to engage diverse youth from across Ontario in international cooperation policy processes.
Youth participants are encouraged to critically engage with the structures, actors, and institutions that shape public policy and global development, while exploring how global citizenship is enacted through civic participation and inclusive policy processes.
Benefits
Building on the efforts of past YPH cohorts, this year’s program will provide opportunities to:
- Collaborate with diverse youth and civil society organizations (CSOs), including feminist, community-based, and global partners to strengthen understanding of global citizenship’s role in shaping international cooperation and policy processes.
- Deepen your understanding of civic space in enabling inclusive governance, climate action, gender equality, and emerging policy issues such as artificial intelligence.
- Learn about and engage with government and intergovernmental organizations and their global Initiatives (such as the Canada-Africa Strategy, Canada’s AI Strategy, and global civil space frameworks) through OCIC’s virtual ‘Policy Matters’ series
- Knowledge exchange through virtual ‘Coffee Chats’, exploring how youth engage in policy processes at local, regional, national, and international levels
- Strengthen your advocacy, policy analysis, leadership, and networking skills while building relationships across Canada’s international cooperation sector
Eligibility
- Be between the ages of 18–35 (by July 31, 2026) and living in Ontario;
- Passionate about gender equality, civic participation, inclusive policy processes, and international cooperation;
- Eager to grow your advocacy and policy engagement skills at local, national, or global levels.
Expectations
YPH members are expected to contribute 2–5 hours per week by participating in:
- peer-to-peer knowledge exchange through ongoing virtual ‘Coffee Chats’ (starting October 2026)
- virtual ‘Policy Matters’ learning series (starting October 2026), with a focus on understanding civic action for global citizenship
- an in-person retreat in Toronto with a focus on skills-building in the area of policy advocacy (November 2026)
- virtual and in person sector events, policy dialogues, and delegations hosted by OCIC and its members, including events such as the Ottawa Civic Space Summit.
- engaging with OCIC members and partners working across international cooperation, humanitarian response, climate justice, gender equality, and global citizenship
- networking opportunities with policy-makers, OCIC members and sector leaders
Application
For more information, visit OCIC Youth Policy-Makers Hub.
