Across Canada, Indigenous youth are designing solutions to the challenges that matter most to their communities. Through a new five-year partnership, Indigenous Youth Roots (IYR) and the Mastercard Foundation are expanding opportunities for Indigenous youth-led organizations to access funding, build skills, deepen relationships, and learn from one another.
This partnership will strengthen IYR's ability to support grassroots groups and youth-led organizations, and deliver the stable, accessible, and trust-based support that Indigenous youth-led organizations need to sustain and grow their work.
Over the next five years, IYR will directly reach almost 6,000 Indigenous youth and indirectly support more than 50,000 through funded projects and organizations. They also provide funding and wraparound support to approximately 250 Indigenous youth-led organizations and groups across Canada. By expanding these opportunities, the partnership creates more space for Indigenous youth to lead, connect, and advance ideas rooted in their communities' needs and realities.
Why It Matters:
Indigenous youth are already leading solutions that respond to their communities' priorities and needs
Stable, long-term funding allows youth-led organizations to build capacity and sustain their work
Supporting Indigenous youth leadership strengthens communities and creates pathways for lasting, community-driven change
Stay informed about EleV's work with partners to uplift Indigenous young people to live Mino Bimaadiziwin – a good life. Follow us on social:
Watch your inbox for our monthly newsletter and share with your network!
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is a Canadian Foundation and one of the world's largest foundations, with a mission to advance education and financial inclusion. It works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. The Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is an independent organization and separate from the company. Its policies, operations and programs are determined by the Foundation's Board of Directors and leadership. For more information please visit mastercardfdn.org.
