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Vimy Inspires Tomorrow – Guidelines for Youth Participants and Terms and Conditions
Overview:
Vimy Inspires Tomorrow is a history-based leadership program for youth in Canada, ages 13-17. It is designed to encourage youth to develop leadership skills that they can use to make a positive impact in their communities. Youth who complete the program are eligible for a project grant of $2,500 to assist them in bringing a community project to life. The Vimy Foundation will award six (6) project grants total.
How it works:
1. Submit an initial project idea. Youth participants develop an idea for a new community project or to contribute to an ongoing project. Individual and group projects are eligible. The project can be an initiative focused on the participant’s local community, school, club, or sports team, among others. It should be based on a need they have identified and can also be based on the participant’s areas of interest or causes about which they are passionate. These can include the environment, mental health, helping community members in need of shelter or food, contributing to a more inclusive community, helping newcomers, helping other youth, etc. The main criteria is that the project focuses on an impactful outcome, aims to make a positive difference in the community, and that it is youth-driven.
The initial project idea should be no longer than 250 words. It should describe the following:
a) what is the project;
b) why is there a need for such a project in the community and how the project will address the need(s) and benefit the community;
c) how a $2,500 grant would help bring the project to life.
The project idea may be developed by an individual youth or by a group of youth. If submitting as part of a group, only one member should submit, but all group member names and email addresses should be listed in the project idea document and application form. All group members must give permission for their names and email addresses to be shared with The Vimy Foundation.
The deadline to submit your project idea is October 14, 2025 11:59pm your local time.
Complete the submission form here.
2. Participate in virtual history-based leadership activities and a virtual leadership workshop offered by The Vimy Foundation.
The Vimy Foundation will review all project ideas submitted. Selected eligible youth will be invited to take part in 2 virtual sessions. Each session will last approximately 2-3 hours.
1. During the first session, youth will participate in 1 or 2 history-based activities about leadership during the First World War to inspire them to build on their project idea. The workshops will take place in early November 2025 (dates to be confirmed; subject to change).
2. During the second session, youth will take part in a leadership and project management training workshop, where they will have opportunities to discuss their project ideas. The session is designed to help participants start working on their final project proposal (see below). The workshops will take place in late November 2025 (dates to be confirmed; subject to change).
Participation in both sessions and submission of a final project proposal (see below) will be mandatory to be eligible for the $2,500 project grant.
3. Develop and submit a project proposal. Based on what they learned in the activity and workshop sessions, participants submit a final project proposal that is between 500-750 words in length. The Vimy Foundation will provide submission details and deadlines to eligible participants.
The proposal must include the following:
a) a summary of what was learned during the activity and workshop sessions and how this knowledge will assist with implementing the project;
b) describe the project in greater detail and outline a brief timeline (approximate dates) for developing and implementing the project;
c) describe how the $2,500 grant will be used to develop and implement the project.
The Vimy Foundation will award a project grant of $2,500 to the 6 most realized and well-thought-out project proposals. Recipients will be notified in early 2026.
The grant recipients are expected to provide The Vimy Foundation with updates about their project in the year following the award.
Terms and Conditions:
The grant is open to all Canadian students between 13 and 17 years old who complete the program, except for any individual who is an immediate family member of employees of The Vimy Foundation. Subject to all applicable laws. Void where prohibited. Youth must be between 13 and 17 years of age at the time of submitting their project idea.
Completing the program means 1. submitting an initial project idea; 2. attending and actively participating in both workshop sessions; 3. submitting a final project proposal by the deadline.
The selection committee places emphasis on authentic ideas and work. Use of Artificial Intellignece (AI) is discouraged. The Vimy Foundation reserves the right to check for possible use of AI and for plagiarism. Applications suspected of plagiarism or being generated by AI may be disqualified.
Projects that are deemed to be discriminatory or disrespectful towards any individuals or groups, have a potential negative impact, or promote hate or hate speech will not be eligible. Projects that are solely focused on fundraising are also ineligible. Projects should be non-partisan and should not be political in nature.
Grant recipients are selected by The Vimy Foundation selection committee and all decisions are final. Six (6) $2,500 grants are available. If a group of youth is awarded the grant, the entire group will receive one (1) grant of $2,500.
The grant is non-negotiable and non-transferable. The Vimy Foundation, their respective employees, directors, officers, contractors, teachers, volunteers, and affiliates are not responsible for any and all claims for any liability that may arise during the development or implementation of community projects.