The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) has extended its deadline for applications to the Rural Change Makers program until August 5.
Melanie Bidiuk, communications and program manager, said the Rural Change Maker program was built on the foundational model they created several years ago.
“It's the brain child of ten years of youth leadership training by ROI, although it was adapted in 2020, and then we went through the pandemic and we further adapted it because needs and priorities change for rural communities and youth,” she said.
Bidiuk said it's a program that builds young leaders to lead economic development solutions with their rural communities.
“When youth have a way to connect and plug-in, in a way that's meaningful and relevant where they create both a sense of belonging and contribution, it leads to increased retention of youth in those communities,” said Bidiuk.
For young people, it's finding their place in a way that they can both build their preferred future and give back at the same time.
Bidiuk said they're looking for anyone who is passionate about rural community economic development, between the ages of 18 and 35, and is interested in learning how to lead change and grow as a leader.
Applications can be found on the Change Makers page on the ROI website.
