"The Youth & Innovation Project aims to understand and amplify the positive social, environmental and economic impact young people, 15 to 25 years old, have on organizations, communities and systems."
We do this by:
- Conducting original research and publishing academic articles;
- Offering strategic and policy advice to business, government, philanthropic foundations, the academic community and civil society;
- Speaking to diverse audiences - both young people and those who work with and support them;
- Writing opinion pieces and offering commentary in the mainstream media; and
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Writing a book titled Wired for Innovation: Releasing the untapped potential of young people (anticipated release date 2025).
Stop Telling Young People to Adapt: We Need to Meet Them Halfway
Young people today are more educated, diverse, and digitally fluent than ever, but they continue to face systemic barriers to meaningful work and influence.
In this op-ed published by TheFutureEconomy.ca, our Associate Director, Valentina Castillo Cifuentes, alongside Intergenerational Council members Sana Khaliq and Marina Melanidis, explore what must shift for youth to truly thrive.
đź”— Read the full op-ed
Addressing Youth Unemployment: Ilona Dougherty on CBC's The House
Ilona Dougherty, our Managing Director, recently joined Catherine Cullen on CBC/Radio-Canada’s The House for a segment titled "Why young Canadians are the canaries in the unemployment coalmine." She discussed the underlying challenges within Canada's youth employment system.
Ilona explained that while there's no quick fix, programs like Canada Summer Jobs and the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy can be highly effective when properly funded and implemented.
Following the interview, Parliamentarian Patty Hajdu confirmed a commitment to an immediate 6,000 new Canada Summer Jobs placements. This is an encouraging start, but it highlights that more systemic change is still needed.
Listen to the full interview here: CBCÂ The House with Catherine Cullen.
New Policy Brief - Unlocking Innovation in the Workplace Through Intergenerational Collaboration
How can workplaces become more inclusive and innovative? Our latest policy brief explores how intergenerational collaboration can boost engagement, creativity, and resilience across sectors.
Discover how structured intergenerational collaboration can transform workplace culture and what policymakers and employers can do to make it happen.
Read the full policy brief
Acknowledgment of traditional territory
We acknowledge that the Youth & Innovation Project is located on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabeg and Haudenosaunee people.