Last updated: September 1, 2026
ABOUT LEVEL YOUTH POLICY PROGRAM
The LEVEL Youth Policy Program (YPP) brings together Indigenous and racialized immigrant and refugee youth from across B.C. to provide training to shape and advocate for public policy that addresses issues impacting their lives.
Applications for the 2027 cohort will open September 14 to October 30, 2026.
Interested in applying? We encourage you first to review:
2026 KEY DATES
September 14: Applications open
October 7: Information Session
Register for the information session to learn more about whether LEVEL YPP is the right program for you.
October 14, 21, and 28: Drop-in office hours
Register to get a meeting link for the drop-in office hours, where you can get help with your application.
October 30: Applications close
December or January 2027: Final decisions communicated by email
PROGRAM OUTLINE
The LEVEL Youth Policy Program will offer you the opportunity to:
- Explore and reflect on what it means to do policy and advocacy work on unceded Indigenous territories
- Understand key concepts about public policy
- Understand the different levels of government and learn about Indigenous governance structures
- Identify key public policy issues impacting your communities in B.C.
- Identify and gain support to work towards influencing public policy and system change
- Understand the different stakeholders involved in public policy
- Engage in a trauma-informed and culturally conscious learning environment enriched by the presence and guidance of elders, mentors and counsellors
- Strengthen your capacity to influence policy change at multiple levels of government
Activities and assignments
Participants will join a cohort of other young leaders from across B.C. to strengthen their understanding of public policy. This will include individual and group-based assignments and activities.
Examples include:
- Short readings
- Videos
- Hands-on activities
- Meetings with mentors and coaches
- Interviewing members of the local community to understand an issue better
- Learning about different advocacy campaigns
- Documenting personal learning reflections
Participants are expected to complete assignments on time.
Training materials
Each participant will receive a workbook containing all the learning objectives for each module, readings, assignments, links to short videos and other resources as needed.
The workbook materials and resources will also be available online on the LEVEL website for program participants.
Final project
For your final project, you’ll draft a policy ask to advance a policy issue that impacts your community. We’ll help you turn your policy ask a professionally designed and printed policy ask booklet. There is no final test.
Visit the Policy Project Library to see previous cohorts’ policy asks.
2027 PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The LEVEL Youth Policy Program is an eight-month program, running from February to September 2027. In July and August, you will be working on your policy ask, which you will have the opportunity to present to your cohort and community on Presentation Day.
|
Module |
Location |
Dates and times (all times are in Pacific Time) |
|
Module 1: Introduction to Public Policy and Each Other |
Online |
February 17 & 18 and |
|
Module 2: Public Policy in B.C. |
Online |
March 10 & 11 and |
|
Module 3: Stakeholder Analysis and Budget Cycles |
Online |
April 7 & 8 and |
|
Module 4: Canadian Government and Indigenous Governance |
In-person, Victoria, B.C. |
May 5, 6, & 7, 2027 |
|
Module 5: Storytelling and New Narratives in Shaping Policy |
Online |
June Jun 9 & 10 and |
|
Policy ask writing |
Online |
Participants will meet with mentors, subject matter experts, and a writing coach to develop your policy asks. These are meetings scheduled at a time that works for both of you, with a minimum requirement. |
|
Preparing for Module 6 |
Online |
September 16 & 17, 2027 |
|
Module 6: Reflecting and Moving Forward |
In-person, Vancouver, B.C. |
September 22, 23 & 24, 2027 |
Contact us
If you have any questions, email us at ypp@vancouverfoundation.ca.