The Civic Youth Fellowship (CYF) is a leadership development program that connects emerging leaders from underrepresented communities with meaningful opportunities inside municipal government.
Through leadership development, mentorship and a paid 10-week placement with the City of Edmonton, fellows work alongside elected officials, City leaders and teams, contributing to real projects and priorities affecting Edmonton.
You don’t need a background in politics or government. You need curiosity, a connection to community and a desire to contribute.
Purpose
Develop an understanding of municipal politics and work to represent the issues of constituents through an internship aimed at granting new skills to emerging leaders from underrepresented communities.
Impact
Support elected officials and city administration in building meaningful relationships with equity-deserving communities, increasing access to local government, and delivering a meaningful project that fosters community impact.
Benefit
Gain one‑on‑one mentorship, practical learning, and relationships that open doors in civic leadership.
Global Recognition
Now entering its fifth year, CYF has grown into a highly competitive program. Last year, more than 250 young people applied for the opportunity to participate.
The Fellowship has also gained national and international attention as an innovative approach to strengthening representation and youth civic engagement. CYF has been shared at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Strong Cities Global Summit.
In September 2026, CYF was presented in Italy at the UNESCO International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities (ICCAR) Youth Boot Camp as an innovative municipal program that increases representation and civic engagement among young leaders
Why the Fellowship Exists
The Civic Youth Fellowship grew out of what communities across Edmonton (amiskwacîwâskahikan), said they needed. Through engagement around the City of Edmonton's Anti-Racism Strategy, one call to action was clear: strengthen representation within municipal government and create meaningful pathways for young people from communities that have historically had fewer opportunities to access these spaces.
CYF is a community response to that call.
The Fellowship is built on the belief that young people are not only future leaders. They are leaders now.
Young people across Edmonton are already contributing to their communities, thinking about the issues affecting their city and bringing experiences, knowledge and perspectives that can strengthen public service.
CYF creates a bridge between those emerging leaders and municipal government, providing access to the people, work and decision-making processes that shape Edmonton. Fellows gain an opportunity to learn how local government works, contribute their skills and perspectives, build relationships and professional networks, and explore public service as a potential pathway.
Our Partners
The Civic Youth Fellowship is made possible through organizations that share our commitment to developing the next generation of community and civic leaders.
Funding Partners
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IslamicFamily supports the mother who is fleeing abuse without making her compromise her identity or safety. We support the man seeking counselling that respects his values. We support youth looking for a creative platform that appreciates and amplifies their voice. We support families beginning new lives amidst hardship. We are Islamic Family & we are created to serve.
IslamicFamily is an Imagine Canada accredited charity, the winner of the Government of Alberta’s Inspiration Award for its work combating domestic violence (2020) and the Canadian Mental Health Associations Professional Service Award (2020).
For more than 30 years, we have been driven to disrupt systemic inequity, to reflect a rich tradition with beauty, to innovate & to serve with excellence. Islamic Family serves 5000 clients every month, runs Edmonton’s second-largest food bank, provides aid in financial crisis, supports victims of gender-based violence, settles refugees, and delivers a range of preventative programming for youth. Islamic Family is rooted on Treaty 6 and proudly serves all of Alberta.
As with all positions at IslamicFamily, it’s important that our culture lines up with your values. Please take a moment to review share.islamicfamily.ca/values.
Visit our website to learn more!
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This year, we are pleased to partner with the City of Edmonton’s Indigenous Relations Office to expand Fellowship opportunities through placements focused on Indigenous initiatives and priorities.
Located on Treaty 6 Territory and with a population of over one million, Edmonton is one of Canada's youngest and fastest growing cities. We’re building a resilient and diverse economy, attracting the best and the brightest and striving to be a world leader in environmental sustainability. We value quality of life, community safety and a welcoming spirit that embraces new people and new ideas.
Visit our website to learn more!
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The Canadian Race Relations Foundation was created in 1996 to reaffirm the principles of justice and equality for all in Canada. The mandate of the Foundation is to facilitate throughout Canada the development, sharing, and application of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the elimination of racism and all forms of racial discrimination in Canadian society.
Visit our website to learn more!
Community Champions
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The Africa Centre, is the largest pan African organization in western Canada, serving as a community hub that provides programs and services from a place of cultural awareness and competency to the families in our diverse community.
We acknowledge the diversity of our cultural background as a source of the strength that brings capacity and competencies to shape a thriving community in Alberta. We have a strong African indigenous cultural foundation incorporated across our programs and services.
Visit our website to learn more!
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kihêw waciston, which means “eagle’s nest” in Cree, is a home away from home for MacEwan University's Indigenous students. Here you can gather, work and grow in a community that honours the distinctive knowledge of Indigenous peoples and supports you on your post-secondary journey.
As MacEwan University’s Indigenous Centre, we offer personal, academic, financial and cultural support. While many of our services are directed at Indigenous students, kihêw waciston's doors are open to everyone in the MacEwan community.
Visit our website to learn more!
Become a Friend of the Program
If your organization is interested in supporting emerging civic leaders and would like to become a Friend of the Program, please contact us at salaam@thegreenroomyeg.ca
