An Update to the LEVEL Youth Policy Program
Last updated: December 21, 2022
After careful consideration, we are thrilled to announce that Vancouver Foundation will extend the Youth Policy Program for an additional two years. Applications for the 2024 cohort will become available in the Fall of 2023. If you’d like to learn more about this change, please do not hesitate to reach out.
In 2023, we are taking time to focus on learning and evaluation in preparation for a 2024 cohort. As we do this, we will be working in partnership with community to develop a transition plan that will take past lessons into careful consideration. We are committed to sharing back what we develop.
In the meantime, we’ll continue to be in touch with updates on how we’re supporting young Indigenous and racialized migrant leaders to advance policy change on issues important to them and their communities.
For updates regarding programming, subscribe to our newsletter, where we will share our plans, learnings, and conversations with community over the next few months. As we begin this journey, we thank you for your patience as we develop a sustainable and engaging Youth Policy Program for future generations.
Program Outline
The LEVEL Youth Policy Program (YPP) brings together Indigenous and racialized immigrant and refugee youth from across BC to provide training to shape and advocate for public policy that addresses issues impacting their lives. Applications for the 2024 Youth Policy Program will open in the fall of 2023.
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 British Columbia
- Identify and gain support to work towards influencing public policy and system change
- Understand the different stakeholders involved in public policy
- Draft a policy ask to advance a policy issue that impacts your community as part of your final project
By the end, you will also have a professionally designed and printed policy project portfolio, as well as a strengthened capacity to influence policy change at multiple levels.
Schedule
YPP is a six-month program from February to September except July and August. During those two summer months, you will be working on a final policy project that you will have the opportunity to present to your cohort. In-person modules will take place between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, two days a month. Online modules will take place between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm but will either be AM or PM sessions, four days a month.
- Module 1: Introduction to Public Policy and Each Other
- Module 2: Public Policy in BC
- Module 3: Stakeholder Analysis and Budget Cycles
- Module 4: Canadian Government and Indigenous Governance
- Module 5: Storytelling and New Narratives in Shaping Policy
- Module 6: Reflecting and Moving Forward
We hope to deliver YPP as a blend of gathering in-person and online, but the delivery methods and dates of the modules may change depending on public health orders.
If you have any questions, email us at level@vancouverfoundation.ca.