Youth Social Development priority engagement

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Hey Ottawa Youth!

Thank you to all the incredible youth who shared their voices during the four Youth Consultations! Those ideas took center stage at the Youth Forum, where seventeen youth leaders, City representatives, and community organizations came together to celebrate youth leadership and advance youth-driven action.

Hey Ottawa Youth!

Thank you to all the incredible youth who shared their voices during the four Youth Consultations! Those ideas took center stage at the Youth Forum, where seventeen youth leaders, City representatives, and community organizations came together to celebrate youth leadership and advance youth-driven action.

  • About the Youth Voices Project

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    This youth-driven initiative is part of the City’s Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan under the Youth Social Development Priority, in partnership with the:

    • Ottawa Coalition of Community Houses
    • Centre for Resilience and Social Development
    • Community Development Framework
    • Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (BGCO)
    • Social Planning Council of Ottawa

    This project supports youth to take the leadership roles in project implementation, develop creative solutions and create positive change in their community.

    Timeline / What's next

    • Youth Consultations: Complete – Held fall 2025
    • Youth Forum: November 24, 2025
    • Consultation findings final report: Coming in 2026
    • Action plan: Coming in 2026

  • Youth Forum – Your Voice, Your City, Your Future

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    On November 24, 2025, youth leaders and community partners gathered to explore the themes that emerged from youth-led consultations.

    The Youth Forum:

    • Showcased youth-driven findings and recommendations
    • Celebrated youth leadership and community collaboration
    • Sparked dialogue among City staff, sector leaders and partners on advancing shared solutions
    • Started the process of developing a collaborative action plan for the CSWB Plan’s Youth Social Development Priority.

    The presentation shared that day captured the energy and creativity of the consultation process. It highlights what young people shared about belonging, safe spaces, identity, learning pathways and supportive systems in Ottawa.

    The presentation summarized:

    • The purpose and guiding principles of the Youth Voices Project
    • Who participated and how engagement was designed
    • Key themes emerging from youth consultations
    • Youth creative expressions and spoken word reflections
    • Early strategic directions identified through collective dialogue

    A final report on the consultations is expected in April 2026. Once released, it will help inform the sector’s three-year action plan. This action plan will advance meaningful, youth-informed change across Ottawa.

  • Youth Consultations

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    Four events were designed to give youth space to share, connect and co-create solutions that will shape City policies and programs, benefiting us all. The four events were held on:

    • September 28, 2025 at Dempsey Community Centre
    • October 5, 2025 at BGC Taggart Parkes Family Clubhouse
    • October 19, 2025 at Michele Heights Community Centre
    • November 2, 2025 at Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre

    Designed and facilitated by youth leaders, these events were shaped by lived experiences. Youth facilitators asked participants about:

    • What matters most to youth in their communities
    • Ideas for youth programs, spaces and services
    • How to make Ottawa more inclusive, creative and supportive for youth
Page last updated: 06 Mar 2026, 09:59 AM