Press Release
Funding is available to Ontarians aged 19 and over!
TORONTO — July 2, 2025 —
8 80 Cities is seeking applications for the 2025–2026 Ontario Community Changemakers, a multi-generational leadership and micro-grant program for people with bold ideas to activate public space, enhance civic engagement, and foster social inclusion in their communities.
Anyone residing in Ontario aged 19 and above with creative ideas to improve their community is encouraged to apply to participate in this innovative, Ontario-based program.
Thirty successful applicants will receive $5,000 to implement their project idea, leadership development training from 8 80 Cities, and peer-to-peer networking with other grassroots community champions. Projects should respond to community needs, build on local assets, and be implemented through collaboration.
The 2025 program will run from October 2025 to September 2026, and successful applicants will have 12 months to implement their ideas. OCC will feature an in-person studio in Toronto in the Fall, with presentations and storytelling workshops by inspiring community leaders and skills-building workshops on project planning, community engagement, communication, and tactical urbanism. Changemakers will also benefit from ongoing virtual coaching and capacity-building from the team at 8 80 Cities through monthly meetups, as well as access to a network of local and international public space experts.
“Being a Changemaker to me means taking the opportunity with this amazing cohort to finally implement an idea that I’m excited about and to draw on the resources and the learning that we’ve gotten from this weekend to put it into action,” says Nancy Angus, 2024 Changemaker, Thunder Bay. “I’m excited to jump in with my idea. I’ve been kind of “cooking” it for a long time, but I now feel like I know all these people who can help me mobilize it, and who will help me see the gaps and see the opportunities, and just kind of make it better than I really imagined that it could be.”
Since launching the program in 2021, OCC has invested in emerging leaders living in Ontario with community-driven solutions. 90 Changemakers have already received $450,000 in microgrants, impacting 34 unique cities and communities.
“There’s just something different about being in the room with a bunch of Changemakers and having so many speakers who have inspired great ideas in my mind,” says Sanaaj Mirrie, 2024 Changemaker, Pickering. “I can’t wait to sit with them and create projects and projects out of the things that we’ve learned. I can’t wait to see how we make Ontario a better community.”
OCC aims to provide more opportunities for Ontarians to get involved and take a leadership role in their communities. From storytelling with seniors in parks to enhancing night markets, mobilizing transit, and creating spaces for art and healing, OCC participants use their energy, creativity, and collaborative partnerships to create real community change. Many have been featured in local and provincial media, have received additional grants, and have been awarded medals and honours for their efforts.
“The Ontario Community Changemakers program continues to show success, with an overwhelmingly positive response to multigenerational programming and continued support for diverse and impactful projects. This remains aligned with our organization’s vision of cities as places for people to grow up and grow old in,” says Katie Konstantopoulos, Project Manager at 8 80 Cities. “We are grateful that the program offers the opportunity to learn alongside thirty Changemakers who are rooted in their local contexts and communities, including those who bring unique strengths and challenges when working beyond large city centers. This year, as we launch our fifth cohort, we will continue to uplift urban and rural creativity, inclusion, and resilience in communities across Ontario.”
8 80 Cities is striving to create a launchpad for civic innovators and placemakers that reflects the diversity of people and geography of this province. Applications from residents of communities of all sizes, including rural communities, small towns, cities, and First Nations territories, will be accepted for the OCC program. Individuals with lived experiences that are currently underrepresented in the placemaking sector, including those from Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQI+ backgrounds, are strongly encouraged to apply. Emerging Indigenous leaders are invited to submit applications which center traditional and evolving approaches to place-making and place-keeping, including art, dance, ceremony, and commemoration.
“Each Changemaker brings their unique lived experiences and identities to the program, informing how they approach public space, civic engagement, and social inclusion in their projects, and enriching the experience of each cohort,” says Jiya Benni, Director of Programs and Development, 8 80 Cities. “We are thrilled that the Ontario Community Changemakers program has become a platform for community leaders from diverse backgrounds and geographies to grow, learn, and make an impact. This year, we hope to see more applicants from rural communities, Indigenous communities, and communities in Northern Ontario like Sudbury, North Bay, Rainy River, and beyond as we look to increase impact in rural and remote regions of the province.”
The Ontario Community Changemakers program is powered by 8 80 Cities, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for people in cities by bringing citizens together to enhance mobility and public space, with funding from Balsam Foundation. For more information, please visit: ontariocommunitychangemakers.org.
To learn more about the successful OCC applicants and their project ideas in previous rounds, visit our Changemakers page.
To apply to the Ontario Community Changemakers program, applicants must submit their ideas by August 25th, 2025, 5:00 pm EDT (4:00 pm CDT).
About 8 80 Cities
8 80 Cities is a nonprofit organization based in Toronto, Canada. We are dedicated to contributing to the transformation of cities into places where people can walk, bike, access public transit and visit vibrant parks and public places. Our approach is to engage people and communities across multiple sectors to inspire the creation of cities that are easily accessible, safe, and enjoyable for all. We achieve our mission through grant projects, research and advocacy, and innovative services. For more, visit: 880cities.org.
About Balsam Foundation
Balsam Foundation exists to enable and galvanize the well-being and potential of our communities. We are committed to a future where all Canadians benefit from a high standard of health and well-being. For this reason, our funding will reflect approaches that put people first, strike a balance between personal and collective wellness, and acknowledge the impact of social determinants of health and the context within which people live, work and play. For more, visit: balsamfoundation.com.
Media Contacts:
Katie Konstantopoulos, Project Manager, 8 80 Cities, kkonstantopoulos@880cities.org, 289-212-3530
Jiya Benni, Director of Programs and Development, 8 80 Cities, jbenni@880cities.org, 647-800-5590