We are thrilled to announce our brand new Ontario-based leadership and microgrant program to support residents aged 19-35 with innovative ideas to create more equitable, healthy, and engaged communities. The Ontario Community Changemakers program provides seed funding and training to young residents with innovative ideas to improve their communities. 
The program’s mission is to elevate the voices of new and emerging civic leaders in communities across Ontario to inspire and enact change.  
Ontario Community Changemakers strives to create a launchpad and network for young civic innovators and public space advocates that reflect the diversity of people and geography of Ontario.  
The program is powered by 8 80 Cities with support from Balsam Foundation.
 
Have an idea to activate public space, foster social inclusion, and/or enhance civic engagement in your community? Apply now!

Let's Declare This The Summer Of Play

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled underlying systemic issues in all our countries, it has also made governments -at all levels- reflect on what is needed to foster more equitable and just societies. A few cities have taken action and opened their streets to people during the pandemic allowing them to get to places without much exposure to the virus.
As Alexandra Lange (via Bloomberg Cities) says, "this summer communities should roll out policies to give the streets back to kids. They need their playgrounds back but also access to open spaces primarily occupied by cars, right outside their front doors".

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Open Streets As Gateways To An Equitable Future

COVID-19 has shown that #openstreets are the safest places. In this article, Meyer S (Municipal World) lays out how lessons learned during the pandemic can help to build streets that centre on people’s health, well-being, and everyday dignity.

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Healthy Communities Initiative Opens Second Round of Funding

The second round of the Healthy Communities Initiative is now open for applications. The Healthy Communities Initiative is funding projects between $5,000 and $250,000 that help create safe and vibrant public spaces, improve mobility options, and provide digital solutions to help their neighbourhoods or communities navigate the pandemic and look to build back better in the COVID-19 recovery. A variety of community-led organizations are eligible to apply, including local governments, charities, Indigenous communities, and registered non-profit organizations. 

Organizations can apply to the second round of the Healthy Communities Initiative through June 25, 2021, at 5:00 PM PST. 

Visit healthycommunitiesinitiative.ca to find out more about how to apply, explore resources for applicants and sign up for community mobilization sessions. 

Mobilizer Session: Getting To Yes and!
How Municipalities Can Work With Community Partners 

Join 8 80 Cities, ICLEI, Park People and MaRS for a discussion about the concrete steps municipalities can take to help create the community partnerships they need. Facilitating safe and vibrant public spaces, improving mobility options, and creating digital solutions that foster equity and respond to the needs of communities has never been more important. Bring your questions as we discuss the common barriers municipal leaders face! We’ll share strategies and examples that enable our collective goals to grow and succeed. This session is designed for municipal leaders, but all are welcomed to attend. This session is in English. Simultaneous translation will be provided in French.

Register for the webinar here

Take a Kid at Heart On A Bicycle Ride

Curious about how to help older adults who lose their ability to ride a bike to enjoy the outdoors and fresh air while on a bike, Ole Kassow, original from Copenhagen, Denmark, decided to rent a  trishaw (like a rickshaw) and showed up at a nearby nursing home and asked if anyone wanted a ride. One of the residents, Gertrude, said yes, and Ole took her for an hour stroll while sharing a great time and life stories. 

Our friends at AARP Livable Communities have recently put together a selected list of resources, including this article, for those who prefer bicycling instead of four wheels. Reports, case studies, manuals and more here.

Photo Credit: Cycling Without Age