May 2020 was a very rough month for Canadian youth. The country was in full lockdown and instead of being in school, graduating, or finding first jobs, young people were isolated.  Frustrated by seeing the effect this was having, Paul Richardson of Renewal Funds called Andrew Heintzman of InvestEco Capital to talk about solutions and they agreed that their organizations should start a program that engages youth and encourages collaborations toward positive outcomes.

The Youth Impact Challenge was born. 

Quick calls were made to like-minded organizations such as Vancity and pretty soon there was funding to make the challenge viable. Three youths were then engaged to get the word out and make the challenge real. They worked together with many volunteer mentors and judges to see Year 1 through to a contest where over 500 participants from eight provinces came forward with brilliant plans to start businesses or not-for-profits with positive environmental or social impacts.

The pandemic is in a different phase today, but the need for positive solutions and support for collaboration among smart young people is as urgent as ever. The goal is that the Challenge should become an annual program and that we will involve more youth, and foster more great solutions for our planet and its people.