World University Service of Canada - Volunteer Cooperation 2020-2028

This project supports 1 050 volunteer placements and aims to improve the social and economic well-being of poor and marginalized youth particularly young women in developing countries with a view to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to increasing the engagement of diverse groups of Canadians particularly youth in international development this project works to strengthen the performance of more than 70 developing country partner organizations to advance gender equality and economic empowerment for poor and marginalized youth in particular young women. The project also aims to harness the knowledge capacity and expertise of skilled Canadians to assist developing country partners improve the socio-economic well-being of poor and marginalized youth particularly young women by generating inclusive remunerative and sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Project activities include: (1) deploying volunteers to support developing country partners (including women’s organizations) advance gender equality and equitable inclusion of youth particularly young women; (2) conducting assessments of developing country partners and providing them with technical support to develop inclusive gender-responsive and environmentally sustainable policies and practices; (3) establishing gender-sensitive innovation fund to support partners in the developing testing and scaling of gender-responsive innovations; and (4) launching inclusive awareness-raising campaigns knowledge products and events to educate diverse groups of Canadians about global issues including gender equality social inclusion and economic empowerment.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased performance of developing country partner organizations to deliver inclusive innovative and environmentally sustainable initiatives and services for vulnerable youth that advance gender; and (2) increased engagement of diverse groups of Canadians particularly youth in international development and key global issues.