Canadian Youth Climate Action Awards
2026 CYCAA prize winners
Congratulations to all the applicants and winners of our fourth annual Canadian Youth Climate Action Award!
On April 15, 2026, we handed out twelve prizes—and once again, the caliber and passion behind each application blew us away. We awarded our top prize of $7,500 to Sundance Commons (photo above), a project empowering marginalized youth to launch sustainable farm enterprises.
It’s hard not to feel hopeful for the future when you see so many young people stepping up, rolling up their sleeves, and getting to work on climate solutions.
Presented in partnership with the Small Change Fund, this award is about recognizing youth from coast to coast who aren’t just talking about climate change—they’re taking real action. The creativity, commitment, and impact behind every project submitted inspire us year after year.
A huge thank you to our panel of judges. Your expertise and care made the selection process thoughtful and fair. And to our generous donors: thank you for making it possible to spotlight youth-led projects that are driving meaningful, intergenerational change in communities across Canada.
Congratulations again to all our winners. And, to everyone who applied, keep going. You’re the reason we do this. The future’s brighter because of you.
2026 award winner profiles
First prize: Sundance Commons
Southwestern Ontario
Sundance Commons empowers marginalized youth by providing free access to land, specialized equipment, and expert mentorship to launch sustainable, regenerative farm enterprises. Operating across five locations in southwestern Ontario, each serves as an incubator farm and educational learning space for regenerative practices and social equity. Their goal is to dismantle systemic barriers to agriculture while fostering intergenerational knowledge exchange to build a climate-resilient and equitable local food system. Education is at the heart of the mission.
Runner up prize: Lois Creek Stream and Wetland Enhancement Project
Kukamaʔnam / Kimberley, British Columbia
The Lois Creek system has been severely degraded over the past 25 years. Over three years, Youth Climate Corps (YCC) worked with hydrology and ecological professionals to design and implement a restoration plan that enhanced this aquatic ecosystem for wildlife, native plants, water quality, and carbon sequestration, while strengthening landscape-level climate resilience.
Runner-up: Civil Connect
Edmonton, Alberta
Civil Connect gives youth the opportunity to directly design climate-conscious infrastructure. Students work in interdisciplinary teams to develop conceptual plans, models, and feasibility studies that support grant applications, community consultations, and early-stage project planning.
Our honourable mentions
Our honorable mention Canadian Youth Climate Action Awards included nine incredible projects:
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Youth Climate Lab (Canada-wide)
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Regenesis Scarborough (Scarborough, ON)
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Climate Hearth/Foyer pour le climat (Montreal, PQ)
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Montague Public School Eco-Team (Smith Falls, ON)
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Selkirk Rising (Manitoba)
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Infiltrate the System Network (Canada-wide)
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Hope Blooms – Green Labs (Halifax, NS)
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Monkey Rebel Society (New Westminster, BC)
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Policy Under Pressure: CityHive’s Youth Climate Program (Vancouver, BC)
