World University Service of Canada

Published purpose

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.