2025 Program Overview
Youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge in Canada, with 10.7% of young people unable to secure jobs—almost double the national average of 5.5% (Statistics Canada, 2023). Many struggle to gain meaningful employment despite submitting countless applications. Key barriers include limited professional experience, soft skills, and personal networks (Expert Panel on Youth Employment, 2017).
Eco-Internships is Making a Difference
We’re breaking down barriers by connecting youth to opportunities in the environmental sector. Since our inception:
180+ youth have been matched with over 70 organizations across Canada.
80% of participants secured full-time jobs within three months of completing their placements, highlighting our success in preparing youth for the labour market.
Key Benefits - Host Organizations
Enhanced Organizational Capacity: Strengthen your ability to execute projects and achieve greater outcomes.
Improved Diversity: Build a more inclusive and equitable team, contributing to innovation and progress.
Youth Development: Provide young professionals with meaningful experience in the environmental sector while developing their leadership and soft skills.
Workforce Development: Create pathways to stable and permanent positions, benefiting your organization and the youth.
Improved Retention of volunteers & staff
Administrative Support with wage subsidy applications
2022 Ottawa interns at the Sustainable Capacity Solutions shared office space.
Non-Profit Skills Development Training
Our program offers flexibility to accommodate the diverse needs of our participants. There are two training course options the youth can participate in:
Training Themes
Peer-Youth Mentorship
Youth Mentors guide and support youth participants in volunteer or paid positions.
Role of a Youth Mentor:
Offer direct feedback and support to create a positive and successful experience.
Act as coaches, cheerleaders, sounding boards, and advocates—not supervisors.
Encourage personal and professional growth.
Help participants navigate challenges and effectively fulfill their roles.
Climate Community Project
Youth will lead community climate projects that address pressing local environmental issues. These hands-on initiatives provide practical experience in all aspects of climate action, including:
Project Development: Creating proposals and securing resources.
Collaboration: Coordinating with local stakeholders and volunteers.
Implementation: Executing impactful climate action initiatives.
Evaluation: Documenting processes, assessing impact, and sharing findings through reports and surveys.
Skill Building and Impact
Through these projects, participants gain valuable experience in environmental project management, sustainability, and leadership while making a tangible difference in their communities.
Leadership Labs
These 2-hour hybrid group workshops are led by PERC and focus on fostering a sense of community and shared learning. Participants build networks with peers from similar roles in different organizations and engage in expert-led workshops to strengthen skills in areas like communications, goal setting, budgeting, and more, enhancing their ability to contribute effectively to their organizations and beyond. Additionally, these leadership labs provide a safe space for youth to network with other environmental leaders in the sector, growing their professional network.
Eligibility Requirements
Youth Participants must fit within these guidelines:
Between the ages of 18-30
Have a passion for the environment
Available to complete a climate project between January - September 2025
NOTE: PAID POSITIONS FOLLOW ELIGIBILITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES. However, training and mentorship are still available to all youth in either paid or volunteer roles
Employer Organizations must fit within these guidelines:
An environmental non-profit, charity, or Indigenous group/organization with programming rooted within their environment
Operate in Canada
Program Cost
The Youth Support Program is valued at $3,000 CAD per participant. However, thanks to the support of our generous funders, we can significantly subsidize these costs to make the program financially accessible for small grassroots organizations. The invoiced amount is determined based on each organization’s financial capacity and available funding. For more information about sponsored spots and how to participate, please contact our team at info@ecointernships.ca.
