About the Youth Impact Project
The Youth Impact Project (YIP) is a collaboration between the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region (CYPT) and Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Lab (SWRIL). The Youth Impact Project looks to fund youth who are addressing local challenges which are identified through the 2023 Youth Impact Survey results. The funded projects include a focus on supporting youth mental and physical health, increasing feelings of belonging, and responding to climate change and food insecurity.
In 2024, over 100 youth from 15 local organisations pitched their ideas to a panel of nine youth. The Youth Decision-Making Panel (“The Dragons”) decided which projects would receive funding to make their idea a reality. In 2025, CYPT and SWRIL are accepting youth applications online, and a team of three youth are deciding which projects will receive funding.
Funded Youth Project #4: Healing with Hues
Healing with Hues is a project that aims to improve youth’s mental health and increase access to art supplies while reducing screen time. The group will create and distribute art kits through a partnership with the Region of Waterloo Library and Kitchener Public Library. There will be three types of art kits (Sketching, painting, and scrapbooking) and each art kit will contain cards about mental health topics such as self-care and dealing with stress. We loved this idea and we’re so excited to see how it unfolds!
Applications for the 2025 Youth Impact Project are now closed and 17 youth projects across Waterloo Region received funding. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we announce the other 13 projects!