Frequently Asked Questions
If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, get in touch! Email us at OCCsupport@880cities.org
An Info Session is scheduled for June 24, 2026. Sign-up will be available soon.
Applications for the 2026 – 2027 program are now open.
About the Program
Who is eligible for this program?
Here are the eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must live in the Province of Ontario.
- They must be at least 19 years old at the time of application.
- Preference will be given to participants who can participate for the full program on all three days i.e October 14, 23 and 24, 2026.
- The OCC Orientation will be held online on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The Toronto Studio will be held in-person over two full days on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, 2026 and will be held in-person. Travel, meals, and accommodation will be provided to the successful applicants chosen for the 2026 program.
- Applicants must propose a community project that ACTIVATES PUBLIC SPACE, ENHANCES CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, and FOSTERS SOCIAL INCLUSION.
- The project must take place in the Province of Ontario or in a First Nations Territory within the provincial boundary of Ontario.
What is included in the program?
Participants will receive:
- An immersive experience through the Ontario Community Changemakers Studio that will allow them to develop the skills to become city-building leaders within their community.
- Project management training in financial budgeting, communication, and interactions with partners.
- $5,000 CAD in seed funding to implement a community project.
- Ongoing support and mentorship from city building experts.
- Access to a provincial network of peers and community leaders.
- Opportunities to be publicly recognized and promoted by 8 80 Cities and Balsam Foundation.
What kind of project ideas are you looking for?
Your project should:
- Be innovative, with an emphasis on addressing existing community needs.
- It will be managed and led by you, but developed through community collaboration.
- Be affordable to implement and free for the public to enjoy.
- Be implementable within 12 months.
- Fall within these three categories:
- ACTIVATE PUBLIC SPACE
Public spaces are areas or places that are welcoming and accessible to all. They play a key role in impacting health equity and community wellbeing. Sidewalks, streets, libraries, parks, gardens, community centres and places for ceremony are all potential locations for project ideas that create renewed energy, celebrate cultural heritage and add vibrancy to local communities. - ENHANCE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Bringing people and communities together is a fundamental aspect of civic engagement. Projects which address common challenges and are rooted in local contexts, cultural approaches, and traditional knowledge can help spur people to take collective action and increase community participation in civic processes. - FOSTER SOCIAL INCLUSION
Change starts when we recognize visible and invisible barriers to participating in public space and public life. Creating the conditions where everyone, regardless of their lived experience and identity, can show up for themselves and one another can help foster social inclusion. When we consciously design with and for marginalized communities, everyone benefits.
- ACTIVATE PUBLIC SPACE
Check out the Changemakers page and the OCC Blog for some inspiration
Can I apply for funding for a project that is already underway?
Yes, we encourage applications for both new and existing projects. If your project is already underway, your application should demonstrate how your participation in the program will help you scale up or advance the goals of your current work.
If I’m selected, what would you expect me to do as an Ontario Community Changemaker?
Each Changemaker is required to:
- Participate in the Studio in October 2026.
- Implement (at minimum) one community project.
- Participate in ongoing networking and skill-building opportunities delivered through monthly virtual meetups.
- Submit a mid-year project update to be used for social media. We encourage Changemakers to share event flyers, photos, videos, and other media.
- Submit a final report summarizing progress and accomplishments. This report will also be submitted as a blog post and may include various media (e.g., video, blog posts, posters).
How long is the grant period?
Ontario Community Changemakers is a year-long program, running from October 2026 to September 2027.
How many Changemakers will be selected?
30 Changemakers will be selected to participate in the program.
How much funding is available?
Each Changemaker will receive a $5,000 CAD micro-grant to implement their proposed idea or project.
Do I need to raise matching funds?
No. You do not need to raise matching funds to qualify for the Ontario Community Changemakers program.
What can the $5,000 CAD microgrant be used for?
Eligible expenses include:
- Project materials such as building materials, technology, etc.
- Capacity building expenses related to planning and implementing the project (such as case studies, site visits, conferences & trainings within Canada)
- Project fees
- Honorariums
Ineligible expenses include:
- Materials/equipment for personal business not related directly to the project
- Purchasing land and buildings
Who manages the program?
8 80 Cities, a non-profit organization based in Toronto that exists to create safe and happy cities that prioritize people’s well-being, manages the program with funding from Balsam Foundation.
Is the program bilingual?
No, the program will be delivered in English.
What is the program’s intellectual property licensing policy?
Intellectual property developed through Ontario Community Changemakers needs to be released under an open-source license.
About the Application
When will the application be open? When will it close?
The online application opens on Monday, June 1, 2026, and closes at 5:00 PM (EDT) on Friday, July 31, 2026. Late entries will not be considered.
What are the criteria for a successful application?
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated on the strength of the project idea and its potential to ACTIVATE PUBLIC SPACE, ENHANCE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, or FOSTER SOCIAL INCLUSION. Finalists will be scored against three criteria: the potential impact of their idea, the level of innovation it displays, and the capacity and leadership of the applicant to carry out the project. The projects will also have to align with Balsam Foundation’s principles which are social inclusion, equity, collaborative governance and being climate considerate.
Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to prepare my application?
The Ontario Community Changemakers program values your own creativity and local knowledge.
For our evaluation team to accurately evaluate your idea, skills, and experience, we do not accept applications generated by artificial intelligence. All submitted materials must be entirely the product of human effort.
Is it possible to apply in French?
No, all applications must be submitted in English.
How many different ideas can I submit?
You may submit as many ideas as you would like.
Who decides the finalists and winners?
8 80 Cities and Balsam Foundation will select the finalists and winners.
In which format can I submit my answers if I have a limitation to typing out my answers?
You may submit your answers in a recorded audio format.
When will I be updated on the status of my application?
All applicants will be informed about the status of their applications by September 31, 2026.
How Can I Apply?
- This year we are collecting applications online and by post. When applying online, you have the option of submitting it in a written or recorded format using the software integrated within the application.
- For those of you who chose to apply by selecting the “Record your Responses” method, you may experience issues recording your responses from your phone, tablet, or computer. This is most likely due to the privacy settings on your device. Please refer to the step-by-step troubleshooting guide for the device you have below. If you continue to have issues with the recording, please contact us at occsupport@880cities.org.
- You can also apply by email or post. Please download the PDF form, print it or fill it out digitally, and then have it sent back to us via postage or email. Please see the end of the form for further directions.
If I am having technical issues with the online application form, what should I do?
If for any reason you have issues completing the application, please reach out to us at occsupport@880cities.org.
About You
Who should apply?
We are looking for people with new ideas and fresh perspectives on civic challenges. This program is for people who are ready to take their city building work to the next level. We are committed to prioritizing applicants who represent communities and groups who have been historically marginalized and are underrepresented in leadership positions.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes. Applicants must be at least 19 years old at the time they apply.
Do I need to be based in the province of Ontario to participate?
Yes. You must reside within the Province of Ontario, or a First Nations Territory located within Ontario's provincial boundaries.
Do I need to be a non-profit organization to apply?
No. Applicants may apply independently, or in affiliation with non-profit, for-profit, and/or government entities. If you are proposing to carry out a project as part of a larger organization, you should be the project lead and major decision-maker.
Can I apply for a project I am carrying out on behalf of my employer?
If the project you are proposing is part of your paid work or on behalf of a larger organization, you should be the project lead and major decision-maker, including for budgetary decisions relating to the OCC grant. If your employment ends, our expectation is that you will retain ownership of the project and any remaining grant funds, not your employer.
Can groups, co-founders, or pairs apply?
We will select individuals only, not groups or pairs, to participate in the program. If you will be completing the work alongside multiple people or as part of a larger organization, you should be the project lead and major decision-maker.
I received a grant from Balsam Foundation in the past. Can I apply for the Ontario Community Changemakers?
Yes. Prior funding does not affect eligibility for the Ontario Community Changemakers program.
I received a grant from Ontario Community Changemakers in the past. Can I apply again?
No. Previous cohorts of Ontario Community Changemakers are not eligible to apply again.
Are you Eligible?
- Must be 19 years old or over at the time of application.
- Preference will be given to those who can attend all three days of the Studio.*
- Applicants must reside in the Province of Ontario or in a First Nations Territory within the provincial boundary of Ontario during the time of project implementation.
- The project must take place in the Province of Ontario or in a First Nations Territory within Ontario's provincial boundary.
- Applicants must propose a community project that activates public space, enhances civic engagement, and/or fosters social inclusion.
*The Studio will take place on October 14, 23, and 24, 2026. The OCC Orientation will be held online on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The Toronto Studio will be held in-person over two full days on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, 2026. Travel, meals, and accommodation will be provided to the successful applicants chosen for the 2026 program.
* Read more about the studio here.
Are You Eligible?
Must be 19 years or over at the time of application.
Preference will be given to those who can attend all three days of the Studio.*
Applicants must reside in the Province of Ontario or in a First Nations Territory within the provincial boundary of Ontario during the time of project implementation.
Project must take place in the Province of Ontario or in a First Nations Territory within the provincial boundary of Ontario.
Applicants must propose a community project that activates public space, enhances civic engagement, and/or fosters social inclusion.
*The OCC Orientation will be held online on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The Toronto Studio will be held in-person over two full days on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, 2026 and will be held in-person. Travel, meals, and accommodation will be provided to the successful applicants chosen for the 2026 program.
*Read more about the studio here.