Receive Microgrant Funding to Connect
Your School with the Local Community
The CONNECT School ↔︎ Community Microgrant Program is a new opportunity for Saskatchewan teachers to facilitate meaningful connections for students in the local community. It is the first program of its kind in Saskatchewan.
A collaboration of passion2action Youth Empowerment and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, this program aims to encourage renewed community engagement in schools, offer leadership development opportunities for students, and encourage active citizenship in and out of the classroom.
Applications were welcomed from teachers and school staff from any school in Saskatchewan. A selection panel composed of representatives from passion2action Youth Empower and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation are now reviewing all applications.
Supporting SK Teachers to Create Community Connections
Teachers throughout Saskatchewan are making a positive difference in and out of the classroom everyday. The CONNECT program supports teachers with microgrant funding to facilitate community engagement projects, as well as ideas and guidance from both the passion2action Team and the cohort of CONNECT participants from throughout the province. For students, the program aims to create opportunities for leadership development and foster a culture of active citizenship and community involvement.
Microgrants
Twelve teachers throughout SK will each be awarded a microgrant of $500 to help finance their proposed project. Funds are intended to reduce the financial barrier for teachers to facilitate projects and students to participate.
Project Support
From the initial proposal to facilitating the project, our team is there to support participating teachers every step of the way and will be in regular contact to check-in on your progress and provide ideas and guidance.
NETWORKING
To inspire and be inspired, we’re hoping to have the entire CONNECT cohort come together (virtually) on three occasions throughout the year to share project updates and connect with other participants from throughout SK.
Leadership Development
As part of the CONNECT program, teachers will have access to a number of leadership development modules for students to learn important skills for the success of the project and for life. Use of these modules is voluntary.
Community Engagement Focused on Five Themes
All community engagement projects must align with one or more of the program themes. We encourage teachers to propose unique and innovative projects that integrate multiple themes and demonstrate how the different subjects are inter-related.
Arts and Culture
Citizenship and Activism
Environmentalism
Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Truth and Reconciliation
Frequently Asked Questions
Being part of the first CONNECT cohort during the 2023-2024 school year means that you will be among an inspiring group of teachers from throughout Saskatchewan, each designing and implementing a project to connect students with the local community. It means that your project will be supported with microgrant funding and you will have access to project support, networking, and leadership development modules.
We welcome applications from teachers and school staff from schools throughout Saskatchewan.
The following types of projects are not eligible for the CONNECT program:
× Poorly defined projects lacking specific community partners
× Projects connected to fundraising initiatives that do not offer direct community
engagement opportunities for students
× Regular or recurring school excursions and trips, or out-of-province travel
× Capital expenses or the purchase of equipment for the school
Community engagement projects supported by the CONNECT program must be facilitated during the 2023-2024 school year (i.e. before June 2024). You will be expected to complete a brief post-project report after facilitating the project to share your success and outcomes from the experience.
Applications to be part of the first CONNECT cohort are due by 11:59 PM on Saturday, September 30. Please email your completed application to < connect@passion2action.ca >. You will receive a response acknowledging receipt of your application within 48 business hours.
Have any other questions or concerns? Send our team an email at < connect@passion2action.ca >.