There’s No Place like the Third Space
The following article was written by Julie Dunleavy, Program Director at FES
Disclaimer: This blog post was written in both English and French throughout, without translation of all words in both languages, to respect the spirit of the article. The reader is encouraged to use translation websites such as DeepL if they require further understanding.
Avertissement : Cet article de blogue a été rédigé entièrement en anglais et en français, sans que tous les mots aient été traduits dans les deux langues, afin de respecter l'esprit du texte. On t'invite à utiliser des sites de traduction comme DeepL si vous avez besoin d'aide pour mieux comprendre.
It’s not often that I get the chance to see a project from The Youth Harbour in real life, in-person. During my time at FES, I have happily supported the back-end of the youth-led climate movement: coaching calls, coffee chats, check-ins, administrative tasks… even meeting with collaborators at conference, networking, and community events. These moments of connection are extremely special; however, due to the nature of our work as enablers within this space, these opportunities for connection are few and far between.
While recently visiting Alberta, however, I had the opportunity to travel a little more north than usual. It was during this visit that I was welcomed into a third space. More specifically, Falher Alberta’s Le 3e espace. En plus, je me sentais bienvenue dans une petite ville bilingue dans une province où beaucoup de monde ne s'associe ni à la langue française, ni au bilinguisme. Même les signes d'arrêt était écrit comme “Stop | Arrêt” et les gens ont switché entre les deux langues facilement.
I love this way of communicating, not only because French is not my first language, and sometimes I do search for my words, but because it also invites a beautiful blend of culture and contexts within distinct communities across our country. What we know as “Canada” is home to dozens of Indigenous languages, as well as hundreds of other languages from the multitude of cultures, subcultures and communities that exist across these lands. While French and English are Canada’s two official languages, they are seldom equally represented, and they can never tell the full story; however, I personally find any story more interesting when multiple languages are blended in to narrate it.
The story I want to tell is from an outsider’s perspective; of me as a visitor in the town of Falher for just a few days. Chúk Odenigbo is the founder of Le 3e espace; which builds on the concept of a “third place”. The concept is simple: the first place is one’s home; the second place is one’s workplace; and thus, the third space is distinct from the first and second, in that it is a casual and social setting for human beings to connect. Chúk noticed there was a lack of convening space in his community, and so, he started one. Social movements and progress towards sustainability are hard to come by if there is nowhere to ideate, create, and convene, especially in rural, remote and northern areas.
It was clear to me immediately that although isolated, Falher is a thriving community. It’s walkable within its bounds, it’s proud of its history and culture, and the main thing I noticed is that everyone in Falher is a doer. From the students I met at the local high school to the older adults leading the local radio station, everyone had more than one project on the go that contributed to art, events, or services for their community. While technology was readily accessible, it didn’t feel like there was an overreliance on it. Ideas were shaped when crossing paths with other community members, not necessarily through online advocacy or organizing that we often see in urban centres. After just one day, I had met many community members for the first time, and was already invited to their community events that same weekend.
Le 3e espace était clairement mis en place pour une raison concrète: avoir une place hors des écoles, des églises, des restaurants et des centres communautaires pour se reposer, travailler, chiller et créer des idées ensemble. J’ai vu comment cet espace a déjà créé un “home base” pour tout le monde, et comment ça peut encore plus ancrer les gens qui habitent à Falher et dans la région de la Rivière-la-Paix. Le sens du bilinguisme est aussi tellement important dans cette région, qui est souvent oubliée comme partie du Franco-Canada. J’ai vu comment les personnes franco-albertaines étaient tellement fières de leur culture et de leur langue, et ça doit être protégé.
Les langues qu'on parlent influencent les façons dont on voit et on interagit avec le monde qui nous entoure, et par conséquent, la façon dont on vit et on lutte contre les changements climatiques. Existing and expressing in multiple languages often enables a deeper connection with nature on an individual level, and ideally, can turn into widespread environmental action. Ce qu’il faut faire pour l’action environnementale dans une ville urbaine et anglophone ne peut pas être le même que dans une ville rurale et francophone, par exemple. Cependant, entre cette dualité existent des complexités de l’environnement actuel, les détails pertinents, et alors, les solutions pour la durabilité.
I may never fully understand the contextual challenges and joys of living in a town like Falher, but I don’t necessarily need to. I’m merely a visitor, who was welcomed and received with open arms. But community members always have, and always will produce their own solutions. They need to be recognized, believed in, and supported in the context that works best for them. It was incredible to see one of our projects in motion, and even more special that this project happened to manifest itself into a physical space. In this case, the physical space was needed, and the community literally painted, built and fabricated the space as it is today. What’s next for Falher, like any community, is unknown to me, but what I do know is that they know exactly where to find each other.
"Something Tangible": How an Indoor Garden Is Changing Daily Life at Whitehorse's Individual Learning Centre
Some of the most powerful updates we receive aren't about milestones or visits but rather the everyday impact. That's exactly what we heard recently from the Individual Learning Centre in Whitehorse, Yukon, where a student-built hydroponics system continues to thrive well past its original launch.
"It's been incredibly impactful for our students," the teacher lead shared. "Having an indoor food garden has created meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities, and students are really taking ownership of the space. It's been especially powerful in helping them connect concepts around sustainability, food systems, and climate action to something tangible in their daily lives."
Originally built from scratch by students to integrate with two pre-made systems, the garden was born out of necessity. Sourcing parts in the North can take a long time, so students partnered with local farms, universities, and hydroponics experts to design and code their own automation systems for watering and nutrients. That resourcefulness is still paying off today: the garden is currently producing fresh tomatoes, lettuce, kale, arugula, basil, mint, and even morning glory flowers, supplying produce that reaches 140 students and 200 community members through the school's cafeteria.
"I want to be involved in taking care of the gardens, and I am excited to have access to fresh vegetables year round. It will be neat to have fresh food growing inside when it's -40°C outside in the winter." - Crystal Charlie, Student
Check out our Hydroponic Systems Resource Guide.
Want to learn more about the Individual Learning Centre's journey from idea to indoor harvest? Check out their full solution story on our website: https://nowfornetzero.org/solution-story/individual-learning-centre/
An MP Visit Worth the Wait: Dinsmore Composite School's Tower Garden in Full Bloom
Good things come to those who wait, and Dinsmore Composite School's patience definitely paid off in a big way. After holding off on media and political visits until their hydroponic tower garden was fully established, the school welcomed MP Jeremy Patzer to see their thriving project firsthand earlier this spring. The timing could not have been better, with the towers now bursting with tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, kale, and a variety of lettuce, along with a flourishing herb garden of basil, oregano, parsley, sage, dill, and peppermint.
This success builds on momentum that started building well before the visit. Students spent the spring nurturing seedlings and prepping the towers for transplanting, with produce flowing directly into the school's Foods Studies 30 class, where students are putting their harvest to good use in the kitchen. The project continues to be deeply woven into the classroom, connecting biology, food studies, and hands-on sustainability education in a way that's become a hallmark of the Dinsmore program.
The school's work also caught the attention of Global News, which featured the tower garden in 2025 as a response to fresh produce scarcity and high transportation emissions in rural Saskatchewan.
"Working with the Net-Zero program has further inspired me to live with the climate in mind, to grow my own produce, and has given me the knowledge on how to do so." - Sierra Tully, Student Lead
Read the Global News article here: https://globalnews.ca/news/11087535/dinsmore-composite-school-food-scarcity-rural-saskatchewan/
Check out our Hydroponic Systems Resource Guide if you’re inspired to start an initiative in your own school.
Want to learn more about Dinsmore's journey from one small garden to a full hydroponic system? Check out their full solution story on our website: https://nowfornetzero.org/solution-story/dinsmore-composite-school/
Small Students, Big Energy: N.J. Macpherson School's Solar Project Keeps Shining
Solar projects are some of the most innovative and long-lasting investments a school can make, and the grade 5 students at N.J. Macpherson School in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories are proving it. As our only elementary school grantee, this project was a special one from the start: students replaced diesel-powered generators with small solar panels and batteries to power the lights in their outdoor Indigenous Language and Education buildings, cutting both emissions and costs in the process.
The project engaged 361 students and 52 teachers across the school, with six students and teachers working directly on the design and installation. And the impact has lasted well beyond the original build. The solar battery banks have been reliably powering the outdoor learning spaces from mid-May through mid-September, when Yellowknife enjoys long stretches of sunlight.
Of course, life above the 60th parallel comes with its own challenges. During the darker months of October through April, when some days bring as little as an hour of sunlight, the school has gotten resourceful, recharging the solar power boxes inside the school and carrying the charge out to where it's needed. They're now exploring the idea of adding a wind turbine to generate power during those darker, windier months, and are looking into how to connect one to a special power bank to keep the lights running year-round.
"Just the fact that such young students are engaged and are advocates for a cleaner tomorrow, I think, is one of the best things that has happened because of this initiative." - Mr. Caines, Principal
Check out our Solar Power & Renewable Energy Resource Guide, and explore our solar lesson plan.
Want to learn more about N.J. Macpherson's journey? Check out their full solution story on our website: https://nowfornetzero.org/solution-story/nj-macpherson-school/
A Year and a Half Later, Robert Service School's Impact Keeps Growing
It’s like music to our ears when we learn that a project not only succeeds but keeps paying it forward long after the ribbon-cutting. Robert Service School in Dawson City, Yukon is a perfect example. Their N:OW for Net-Zero funded Housing Unit, which trained students in net-zero and climate-resilient building design, wrapped up a year and a half ago, but its ripple effects are still being felt today.
The project began with a week-long, place-based training where 20 students received full-time instruction in modelling climate-resilient buildings, with an additional 33 students participating part-time and 5 community members joining evening sessions. Students learned directly from local tradespeople and Indigenous elders, grounding their designs in the realities their community actually faces: melting permafrost, unpredictable temperatures, and increased wildfire risk. The resulting net-zero building prototypes were presented at the Yukon Science Fair, and have since evolved into a full building plan that the school's shop program is using to construct a real, physical structure aimed at addressing local housing shortages.
The story has continued to resonate well beyond Dawson City. The project was featured by CBC News in a piece exploring how changes to Yukon's Education Act could help more students earn credit for locally developed, place-based courses like this one. More recently, a youth podcaster focused on climate change conversations discovered the project — and shop teacher Peter Menzies — through our N:OW for Net-Zero website, reaching out to learn more about the work being done in Dawson City.
"N:OW for Net-Zero funding was the essential component to do our Housing Unit. The project idea was several years old, but the timing of the funding fit perfectly with how our school could move to implementation!" - Peter Menzies, Shop Teacher
Read the CBC News article here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/amendments-yukon-s-education-act-local-courses-credit-1.7185136
Want to bring net-zero building education to your own school? Check out our Green Buildings and Retrofits Resource Guide and our Net-Zero Buildings lesson plan.
Want to learn more about Robert Service School's journey? Check out their full solution story on our website: https://nowfornetzero.org/solution-story/robert-service-school/
Putting Pedal to the Metal in St. John’s
What started as a push to swap short car trips for bike rides has turned into one of the most energizing community events we've seen from any of our N:OW for Net-Zero grantees. This spring, École St. Matthew's School in St. John's, Newfoundland hosted their second annual Bikefest 2026, and the community showed up in full force. Last year's event drew 82 registered participants. This year? 164 registered, with walk-ins pushing the total close to 200 parents, students, and families.
The celebration wasn't just about bikes. It was a full demonstration of what active, sustainable transportation can look like when a school community gets behind it. Fifteen children were matched with refurbished used bikes and scooters, with helmets provided for each, thanks in part to local partner Ordinary Spokes who brought the donated bikes up to standard. The school plans to expand this re-CYCLING initiative even further next year.
The event also drew some notable guests: MP Tom Osborne and Paul Dinn, MLA and Minister of Education, both attended Bikefest on May 23rd to celebrate the students' efforts firsthand, a testament to the real-world impact this project is making beyond the schoolyard.
"The city's starting to see that shared use pathways are an opportunity — we can get people walking, we can get people more healthy." - Laun Shoemaker, Teacher Lead
Want to learn more about École St. Matthew's journey toward a bike-friendly St. John's? Check out their full solution story on our website: https://nowfornetzero.org/solution-story/ecole-st-matthews-school/
If you’re thinking of starting an active transportation project in your own school or teaching about its importance, you can check out our Green and Active Transportation Resource Guide and our Bicycle Infrastructure lesson plan.
Diamond Valley Students Are Growing the Future – Literally
We’re celebrating our N:OW for Net-Zero grantee, Oilfields High School in rural Alberta, whose student-led vertical farm was featured by CTV News Calgary! Since building a biosecurity headerhouse to protect their crops from pests and contaminants, the farm has achieved a 0% crop loss rate and is on track to grow an estimated 5,700 heads of lettuce in the coming year alone. Students earn credits running the farm end-to-end, learning hands-on and technical skills from planting and harvesting to marketing and distribution, and they’re even selling their fresh greens to several local restaurants and grocers. They recently opened a concession stand with farm-grown microgreens and herbs to feed healthy, school-grown foods to the student body.
We loved this quote from student Taeyo Shipman in the article: "I enjoy the hands-on experience we get—a hands-on environment where we’re learning how to do stuff that we don’t get to learn everywhere else."
Read the full CTV News article here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/something-you-cant-get-out-of-a-textbook-diamond-valley-students-enjoy-learning-at-vertical-farm/
The farm's incredible community impact was also recognized by MP John Barlow, who visited the school to congratulate the students on their outstanding work. See what MP Barlow thought about his visit here: https://www.facebook.com/johnbarlowmp/posts/it-was-such-a-pleasure-to-visit-the-oilfields-school-to-learn-more-about-the-stu/1854935269227939/
Want to learn more about Oilfields' journey from seacan to biosecurity headerhouse? Check out their full solution story on our website: https://nowfornetzero.org/solution-story/oilfields-high-school/
The Elephant in the Room: Resilience alone isn’t the key to the future of youth-led organizing
The following article was written by Valerie Ntinu, Partnerships Manager at FES
I recently had the opportunity to moderate a really interesting panel session titled "Resilience Reimagined." The conversation got into something that doesn't get talked about enough: how the idea of resilience has basically become a go-to rallying cry for youth involved in social movements; a way to keep young people energized and committed to a cause.
It's well-meaning, no doubt, but the panel unpacked how calls for resilience can end up glossing over the real conditions that make organizing so hard in the first place, while quietly piling the pressure onto young people to push past their limits.
In this case, I was moderating so I had to take on a fairly objective stance. I do (obviously!) have some thoughts on this. I’ve attended my fair share of conferences, webinars, and workshops targeted at youth that have either explicitly or implicitly championed ideas of “not giving up” and “staying the course”. At the base level, these cries for endurance have always felt a little–for lack of a better word–ignorant to me.
I’ve sat in these sessions wondering to myself, “Why aren’t we addressing the elephants (yes, plural) in the room?” The globe at large is at a crucial point characterized by a polycrisis. We have been in the throes of economic instability, climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and technological disruption for some time now. Through this process, the financial resources available to youth-led actions have also been heavily impacted.
As a youth-led organization working within the youth-led climate justice ecosystem, FES knows this pattern well. Like many organizations in this space, we depend on grants and donations to keep our work going; a funding reality that's far less stable than, say, a public sector job backed by tax dollars.
As global challenges arise, attention also shifts away from funding youth-led climate justice work. This means there are just a lot less funds and financial resources to go around. We are all aware of this or impacted by it in some way, but somehow, it remains unnamed on conference panels.
Why haven’t the offered sessions–aside from the one I moderated on–caught up to this reality? Whether we like to admit it or not, financial support is crucial to the future of any movement, and there is only so far endurance can take you before the reality of not having the financial means makes itself known. How do the resources and support we offer to youth meet the moment? At FES, this is what we seek to actively explore.
As a charitable organization that primarily funds and supports youth climate leaders, we recognize that due to shifting gifting patterns, we might not always have the ability to grant funds when we would want to. This has challenged us to explore how we can adapt our non-monetary offerings to make them relevant to youth contending with financial uncertainty.
Part of this suite of offerings includes free workshops, including one on fundraising that aims to equip participants with techniques on how to secure funding during trying times. We are also presently exploring working groups between different youth initiatives because we know that joining efforts strengthens movements and reduces the current steep competition for grants.
I am fully aware that resilience has been a driving force within most social movements. Liberties and progress were not secured through monetary means alone. However, a resilient mindset coupled with financial fuel has the power to drive action and interrupt the status quo.
Breaking Barriers in Sustainable Fashion: Aish Mann’s Journey
When Aish Mann first attended the Circularity conference in Seattle in 2023, she did so entirely on her own—volunteering her time, paying out of pocket, skipping meals, and stretching every dollar just to be in the room. As a newcomer to Canada, Aish was looking for spaces where she could explore opportunities. But it also laid bare the financial and systemic barriers many youth who are members of equity-seeking groups face when trying to access influential spaces where climate solutions are shaped.
A year later, Aish returned to the conference under dramatically different circumstances. In 2024, she attended Circularity 24 in Chicago with support from an Access Grant provided by Finance Engage Sustain (FES). The grant covered her travel, registration, accommodations, and meals—transforming what was once an exhausting sacrifice into a powerful moment of growth. Freed from financial constraints, Aish stepped into the space not just as an attendee, but as a confident leader—ready to connect, collaborate, and amplify youth-led climate justice advocacy.
Aish’s path to leadership is rooted in resilience and lived experience. As an immigrant woman of colour bringing experience in the climate sector from Malaysia, she brings a grounded perspective to her role at Threading Change—a youth-led organization committed to global fashion justice.
Threading Change’s mission is both urgent and visionary: to challenge the exploitation embedded in fashion supply chains, especially those impacting racialized communities in the Global South. Through policy advocacy, youth engagement, and education programs rooted in circular economy principles, the organization works to build climate-resilient communities that prioritize people and the planet over profit and pollution.
Despite her passion and expertise, Aish repeatedly encountered barriers to accessing spaces where systemic change is discussed. Conferences like Circularity—where major players in sustainable fashion gather—were often financially and institutionally out of reach.
“One thing that really stood out to me was how many fashion spaces tend to be white-centric, with folks trying to make changes from their own lens,” Aish shared. “Being able to say, ‘Hey, we do this work with Bangladesh and others, and this has been our experience,’ was a powerful moment.” She also found it eye-opening to “learn about U.S. initiatives like the American Circular Textiles Association and groups like Accelerating Circularity expanding textile recycling efforts.”
The $1,400 Access Grant from FES was a pivotal turning point. It covered all of Aish’s major costs—registration, travel, accommodations, and food—expenses that had previously limited her ability to attend similar events.
“For the first time, I didn’t have to think twice about meals,” Aish said. “Being a newcomer, food is always expensive, and I had developed a sort of disordered eating around it. But this time, I could eat without stress, knowing it was reimbursed.”
Crucially, the grant was delivered early enough to make a real difference. Aish was able to book travel in advance, avoiding high last-minute fares.
“I was coming to a point where, after volunteering with Threading Change and juggling multiple jobs, I was losing hope,” she recalled. At a time when we need all hands on deck to address the climate crisis, the sector faces significant losses with skilled and experienced newcomers forced to leave the sector.
For Aish, the Access Grant wasn’t just about logistics—it was about dignity. It allowed her to enter the space on equal footing, without compromise, and with the resources she needed to be fully present.
“Being able to access these spaces was a relief. The [FES] team was so helpful and supportive throughout the process.”
The ripple effects of this opportunity were immediate and far-reaching. Just weeks after returning from Chicago, Aish secured her first paid leadership position in the sustainability sector—as Development & Impact Director at Threading Change. It was a major milestone in her journey, recognizing both her talent and her tireless dedication to the movement.
In her new role, Aish helped lead the organization’s successful application to join the Fair Labor Association—positioning Threading Change alongside major global brands like Nike and Adidas in critical policy discussions. Her presence at Circularity 24 had a broader impact, too.
“Youth organizers in the U.S. have since adopted one of her workshop formats,” she noted, helping to spread youth-led climate advocacy across borders.
Today, Aish’s leadership directly informs Threading Change’s efforts to advance Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies in Canada and British Columbia. These policies hold brands accountable for the full lifecycle of their products, helping to reduce environmental harm and safeguard workers’ rights.
Reflecting on the experience, Aish shared,
“My experience with FES and The Youth Harbour has been truly transformative. Their support not only enabled me to engage with experts and fellow leaders at Circularity 24 but provided unparalleled access and exposure. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities to expand my horizons and further commit to climate advocacy.”
Looking ahead, Aish is committed to amplifying newcomer and underrepresented voices in the climate justice space. She’s actively fostering cross-sector collaborations and expanding Threading Change’s programming into the U.S.—with a focus on youth-led, intersectional solutions to the fashion industry’s global challenges.
The tools she gained from FES—like budgeting templates, evaluation frameworks, and grant navigation strategies—have now become part of her long-term practice.
“The budgeting templates I learned from the Access Grant have been invaluable,” she said. “I use those same templates for all my monthly expense tracking now, even for other fellowships.”
Youth leaders like Aish are breaking down barriers and building climate-resilient communities through bold, intersectional action. Your support can help remove the obstacles that keep other young changemakers from stepping into spaces where their voices are urgently needed.
A gift of $50 can cover a meal stipend or registration fee for a youth leader attending their first climate conference—nurturing the confidence, capacity, and community that drive long-term impact. Discover more inspiring stories in our latest impact report, and stay connected by signing up for our newsletter. Believe in the power of youth? Follow us on social media and help spread the word.
Reimagining Futures Together Panel
Watch the dynamic discussion on “Reimagining Futures Together: Sustaining the Youth Climate Movement” with inspiring youth climate leaders.
From Fruit Trees to Flourishing Communities: How Les Fruits Défendus is Cultivating Change
In the heart of Montréal*, Simone is helping build a more climate-resilient, food-secure future—one fruit tree at a time. As the coordinator of Les Fruits Défendus, she leads a grassroots collective reclaiming overlooked abundance by harvesting fruit that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it within the community.
Before receiving support from FES’s The Youth Harbour Action Grant, the group was entirely volunteer-run, balancing growing demand with limited resources. With flexible funding and trust-based support, Simone and her team strengthened their systems and laid the foundation for long-term climate action.
Les Fruits Défendus is a volunteer-run collective that harvests fruit from privately owned urban trees around Montreal. Their mission is simple yet meaningful: reduce food waste, build climate-resilient communities, and promote ecological literacy through harvesting and sharing.
The group supports underrepresented communities in Montréal—residents living in food deserts, low-income families, and youth looking to contribute to climate action in tangible ways. By engaging volunteers to pick fruit and redistribute it equitably between tree owners, harvesters, and local food organizations, they are weaving together a network of food justice rooted in sustainability and collaboration.
In 2024, the collective was navigating a moment of expansion. More residents were requesting harvests. More volunteers were getting involved. But they needed a stronger foundation to sustain the work and respond effectively.
With $30,000 from The Youth Harbour Action Grant, Les Fruits Défendus was able to stabilize and grow. Simone’s part-time coordinator position was maintained, allowing her to oversee harvests, build partnerships, and guide the collective’s development. The team also upgraded their equipment, improving volunteer safety and efficiency.
Simone highlighted how straightforward and supportive the funding process was:
“Everything went perfectly according to plan. It was very easy, extremely streamlined. That’s the biggest thing I appreciate because with most funders, it’s not that simple. We received all the funding on time and spent it as planned.” This smooth process gave the collective the confidence to plan ahead and focus on their mission.”
She also praised FES’s flexibility during their transition to nonprofit status.
“FES was very understanding and accommodating with the contract and the timing while we were still finalizing our incorporation. That support made a big difference during a critical time for us.”
During 2024, Les Fruits Défendus coordinated over 40 harvests, rescuing hundreds of kilograms of fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste. More than 100 volunteers—many youth—participated, deepening their connection to local food systems and climate action. The fruit—apples, mulberries, cherries, and more—was redistributed to households and food banks, improving food access in underserved Montreal communities. Volunteers often expressed how this work strengthened their bonds with the land and their neighborhoods.
Through the support of the Action Grant, Simone gained capacity to expand partnerships with groups like Santropol Roulant and other food justice organizations, boosting the reach and resilience of youth-led grassroots climate initiatives across the city. Reflecting on the progress, she said,
“There’s definitely hope. The goal is creating structural change that lets all collective members participate in ways that suit them and fosters their autonomy to become ambassadors of the project. I hope this leads to less turnover, more continuity, and overall stability in the collective’s growth.”
Despite challenges ahead, Simone remains inspired by the community’s enthusiasm and success:
“I have big hopes for what can be seen, even if it’s not always realistic. The amount of work we accomplished and seeing people have meaningful, fun participation gives me hope that it is working. It keeps me going and pushes me to get smarter and more creative in how I approach this work.”
Beyond their core community, Les Fruits Défendus is gaining wider recognition. A recent meeting with a downtown Montreal city councilor signaled growing municipal interest. The collective is preparing for a 2025 exhibition at BOSFAN, a city-owned museum, showcasing the cultural and ecological significance of their work. They’re also focusing on longstanding partnerships, like stewardship of a century-old apple orchard at a former convent, highlighting their deep roots in the community.
Now officially incorporated as a nonprofit, Les Fruits Défendus is preparing for its next growth phase. Furthering skills she got from the grant, Simone will join a coaching program this winter to develop the collective’s first theory of change and strategic plan, clarifying priorities, aligning impact goals, and mapping a sustainable path forward. She stresses the need for long-term stability to realize the city’s vast potential:
“What we’re trying to offer is needed on a much larger scale than what we’re doing now… we need more stability so our work can meet the demand and potential in the city—the hundreds of thousands of trees that could be harvested and the connections that could be made between people and community organizations.”
This growth will break down barriers and isolation within neighborhoods, fostering stronger community cohesion. Simone also underscores the importance of close collaboration with local governments to influence policies on public fruit trees and urban harvesting:
“It’s very important for us to collaborate with elected officials at every level—to pressure change and provide a service that helps them transition policies concerning public fruit trees, harvesting, and funding.”
With evolving municipal support and strengthened governance, Les Fruits Défendus is building a sustainable foundation grounded in youth leadership and community resilience, with the goal of full autonomy.
Join us in supporting youth-led environmental initiatives like Simone’s Les Fruits Défendus. Your contribution can help expand their capacity to prevent food waste, build resilient communities, and foster connections between people and nature. Give today to support community consultations and outreach that deepen neighborhood engagement.
Discover more inspiring stories of youth leadership in our latest impact report, and stay connected by signing up for our newsletter. Believe in the power of youth? Follow us on social media and help spread the word. Together, we can nurture thriving communities rooted in sustainability and shared purpose.
*Montreal is situated on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehà:ka (Mohawk) Nation, including the Kanien’kehá:ka of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Huron/Wendat, Abenaki, and Anishinaabeg.
Kat’s Departure Blog
Dear FES Community,
Today is my last day at FES, and while I could write a whole book of reflections and platitudes related to my time as Executive Director, I’ll keep my goodbye short and sweet.
Since stepping into the Executive Director role, we’ve raised $7 million for the organization and youth climate action across the country, grown our team from 2 to 10, and supported over 170 projects nationwide. Together, FES launched the first-ever pooled philanthropic fund led by and serving youth climate action through The Youth Harbour, and later, N:OW for Net-Zero. Through these programs, we’ve scaled youth-led climate projects ranging from supporting solar panel and hydroponic installations in rural communities, to policy campaigns for sustainable infrastructure and food sovereignty, to protests and mobilizations of thousands demanding real climate action, to care initiatives for Black, Indigenous, and racialized climate champions, and to training for current and emerging leaders.
And just as there are so many things that I am proud of, there are so many things I could have done better. Throughout my leadership I have been humbled, corrected, and put in my place. I have also been nurtured, uplifted, and held. It’s in the discomfort that we grow, and these mountains that we carry; we are only supposed to climb. The climb was not easy, and I am so grateful that I did not have to embark on this journey alone. Thank you to the board, the team, partners, colleagues, funders, and friends. Without you, none of this would have been possible (I don’t think I would have even been able to arrive at the basecamp to start climbing without you all).
And to the team, thank you for being awesome, joyful, and dedicated. FES is nothing without you, and there is no accomplishment that isn’t your own.
I am so thrilled to see Alyssa step in as FES’ next Executive Director. Alyssa, I’m incredibly proud of you and have unwavering faith in you as you take FES to new heights. I’m on the edge of my seat, excited to see where you lead FES under your guidance and leadership!
I am so grateful to have been a small part of such a powerful movement. I’m deeply moved by the immense support of this beautiful community. We have many challenges ahead, but my time at FES has only confirmed that we have the people power and heart to get sh*t done. Cheers to climate action! Cheers to impact! Cheers to community-led solutions! Cheers to youth leadership!
Thank you for letting me serve this wonderful FES community as its Executive Director for the past four years, and for being part of the organization for the past six.
Remember: it’s our future, our fight. Fund Youth.
With love,
Kat
Reflections on the PFC 25 Ensemble Conference
This week, I had the pleasure of spending time in Ottawa for the PFC 25 Ensemble conference. It was an inspiring gathering of leaders, partners, and friends in the Canadian philanthropic landscape, all coming together to tackle the urgent challenges of our times.
The following article was written by Alyssa Obrand, the Managing Director at FES. Read about her key learnings from the Philanthropic Foundations of Canada’s National Conference.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Philanthropic Foundations Canada “25 Ensemble” conference in Ottawa. The gathering brought together leaders, partners, and friends from across the Canadian philanthropic landscape to explore the urgent challenges of our times, and to discuss pathways forward.
The three-day event included a lot of time spent connecting, discussing, and learning. From panel sessions to networking receptions, and lunchtime learnings to room-filled plenaries, I spent my time engaging with peers and leaders in the sector, learning from each and every one of them and forming connections I hope to continue beyond the event itself.. The experience was thought-provoking, exhilarating, exhausting, and inspiring all at once, and as I reflect on the experience, I’d like to share some key insights that I’ve taken away from my discussions, whether in panel sessions, group workshops, or one-on-one lunchtime conversations.
Dismantling Exclusionary Language:
One shared realization was just how challenging it can be to work within the regulatory frameworks set by the CRA. As an individual working in the youth space, I spent a lot of my time this year working to interpret the CRA’s changing regulations to charities, trying to make sense of the legal jargon to be able to bring my findings to my team, and the youth sector. I chalked my struggles in this task solely up to my lack of experience of working through these in-depth guidelines, however, my conversations with peers at PFC revealed that many of us, with varying levels of experience and qualifications, faced the same difficulties. These conversations, over the shared laughter of misfortune, brought a sense of community, however they also revealed a more displeasing truth.
As the governing body for all Canadian charities, the CRA's regulations shape the future of the sector. However, the language they use is often cryptic, highly technical, and filled with circumlocutory vocabulary. It feels as though much of the meaning is buried "between the lines," which can make this an exclusionary space to navigate. We spent considerable time discussing how this creates barriers, especially for smaller charities that may not have the resources to decode these complex regulations. While we are grateful for organizations like McConnell, who created their NQD toolkit to help clarify some of the murky guidelines, it’s clear that more needs to be done. Simplifying this language and providing truly accessible resources is crucial to making the charitable space more inclusive and less intimidating for everyone. It's not just about compliance—it's about creating a system where more organizations can thrive without getting bogged down by bureaucracy.
The Role of Intermediaries:
Rising on the back of this issue, the importance of intermediaries shines. The CRA’s 2024 guidance on grant-making to Non-Qualified Donees (NQDs) was initially seen as a revolutionary change that could reshape charitable giving. At first glance, it seemed to offer the possibility of directly supporting organizations doing crucial work without requiring them to meet the rigid definition of a "qualified donee." However, in conversations throughout the week, it became clear that the situation is far more complicated. The guidance remains difficult to interpret, even with resources like McConnell’s toolkit, and many charities find it unrealistic to pivot toward direct NQD funding. Confusing guidance, rigid charitable objects, perceived risks, and internal capacity issues have all been issues which have prevented meaningful progress.
Nearly a year after these new rules, the impact has been minimal: one-third of organizations were already giving to NQDs before the change, about 15% are using intermediaries to manage these relationships, and many admit they will never be able to work directly with NQDs. This has underscored the critical role of intermediaries, such as FES, in bridging the gap. Intermediaries can help to bridge the gaps which policy cannot address, and help to shift the sector toward more inclusive and impactful funding practices.
Collaboration is Key:
Another recurring theme throughout the conference was the undeniable need for collaboration. The energy of the participants across the three-day conference was very much that of a shared readiness and willingness to work together—whether across sectors, within sectors, or even with government bodies. It was refreshing to hear so many participants speak about the importance of uniting forces to create lasting change, which one panelist referred to as forming “unlikely alliances.”
A distinct outcome of the conference was the shared desire and acknowledgement that we must break down silos and recognize that, especially in areas like climate solutions, the intersection of diverse skills and perspectives is essential. No single organization can tackle these challenges alone, but by coming together, we can build solidarity and join forces to pool resources and create solutions that are far greater than what we can do alone. The momentum for collaboration is real and it is here, but we must act upon those feelings before it can fade, if we do in fact want to create a stronger, more unified sector.
Climate and Youth Engagement:
On the subject of intersectionality, much of the discussion naturally leads us to climate action and environmental issues. One of the biggest questions that emerged during the conference for myself was: Where’s the funding for climate action?
In truly opportune timing, just before the conference began, the Clean Economy Fund released a study showing that only $106M of Canadian charitable donations in 2021 went toward climate-related efforts. Of that, a tiny fraction —estimated at under $9M—was directed toward youth-led climate initiatives, based on global statistics from the Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF).
These numbers are startling, especially when compared to the nearly $10B in overall charitable giving in Canada that same year. During the climate panel at PFC, I had the opportunity to highlight this, emphasizing the urgent need for more robust, sustained and empathetic investment in youth leadership and climate action. This looks like long-term, unrestricted and sustainable funding that allows youth to explore their creativity and to actually have the opportunities to create and deploy the solutions they dream of. If we don’t support young leaders now, we risk losing a generation of climate champions who can lead us into a more sustainable future.
Abundant and Unrestricted Giving:
Perhaps my most significant takeaway from the conference was this: if you can, give abundantly and without restrictions! Now more than ever, philanthropy must invest in the sustainability of social movements and the individuals driving them.
We’ve seen moments of momentum rise in response to social, political, and climate crises. But without real long-term, flexible funding, these efforts struggle to maintain their energy, their creativity, and their spark. Philanthropy must go beyond short-term fixes and embrace new, more flexible and empathetic funding models that allow for innovation and experimentation at the grassroots level. By doing so, we can create space for new leaders—especially young people—who will shape the future of our collective efforts.
Compassion Over Polarization:
Finally, to keep it short and sweet: we have more in common than we do different. As we navigate the political uncertainties ahead, one thing became abundantly clear during the conference: narratives of care and compassion will always overcome polarization. Regardless of our political views or the divisions that may arise, values like empathy, kindness, and a focus on collective well-being can and will unite us.
As we face challenges that test our values, it’s critical to remember that compassion can bridge divides. By centering a narrative and ethic of care, we can create a philanthropic ecosystem that fosters understanding, collaboration, and empathy, no matter where people stand on the political spectrum.
The PFC 25 Ensemble conference was a transformative experience, and I’m eager to continue these important conversations. More importantly, I look forward to working with my team and the incredible people I connected with in Ottawa to tackle these challenges head-on. There is much work to be done, but together, we can find our way through these obstacles and create a more sustainable, inclusive, and compassionate future.
