Celebrating Youth Week!
A City-wide Showcase of Youth Talent and Innovation
Proclaimed by the City of Ottawa and held annually during the first week of May, Youth week highlights the incredible contributions of young people in sports, civic engagements, the arts, and the community. This city-wide initiative brings together community partners, organizations, and above all youth from across Ottawa to inspire, connect, and showcase their talents.
Youth Week Events
Untapped
Untapped showcases the creativity and dedication of students who have been working on their projects throughout the year with the support of Youth Ottawa’s Active Citizenship Initiative. Each project at Untapped is a result of months of planning, creativity and hard work, guided by the resources and mentorship provided through the ACI program.
Untapped unites hundreds of students whose projects are nothing short of amazing! The event never fails to bring forward a truly innovative spirit and a dedication to make things better.
The 2024 Untapped Youth Action Showcase was hosted by Youth Ottawa in partnership with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) Social Entrepreneurs Program. The event brought together over 550 students from grades 4 to 12 at the National Arts Centre to present their entrepreneurial ventures. Students showcased a wide range of products, each designed with a social purpose, proving that youth-led businesses can create real impact in our communities.
“Untapped has truly ignited a positive transformation within our class and community. Inspired by our collective desire to address wellbeing and positivity, the idea behind our initiative blossomed. Through our efforts, we’ve fostered a culture of positive mental attitude, inspiring others to follow suit. To other classes considering similar initiatives, I would offer this advice: Start small but dream big. Every action, no matter how modest, contributes to meaningful change.”-Emily McDuff/ OCDSB Secondary School Teacher
Project highlights from 2024
Blissful Barks
Grade 8 students from Sir Robert Borden High School created a collection of cruelty-free self-care and wellness products, including candles, soaps, and body scrubs, with all proceeds supporting the Ottawa Humane Society.
Rise Above Poverty
Rise Above Poverty – Grade 11 students from St. Joseph’s High School raised an incredible $1,000 in profit through sales of their clothing apparel, with all proceeds going to The Ottawa Mission.
Card Rise
Students from Colonel By Secondary School designed and sold handmade greeting cards, using their earnings to support their school’s garden project.
Event Details:
When: Friday May 9th, 2025
Where: Ottawa City Hall (110 Laurier Avenue West).
Stay tuned for more event details
and updates!
Mayor for a Day - Experience Municipal Leadership
The Mayor for a Day Contest gives Ottawa high school students a unique opportunity to step into the role of the city’s leader, gaining firsthand experience in municipal governance and city-building. Winners have the chance to shadow Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, learn about city initiatives, and engage with key decision-makers to discuss Ottawa’s future.
Previous Contest Winners
Last year, we congratulated Thea Peters of Merivale High School and Layan Kanaa Alhalabi of St. Francis Xavier High School on winning the contest!
Their action-packed day included:
- Shadowing the Mayor and engaging in discussions about city priorities.
- Touring City Hall, meeting City Manager Wendy Stephanson, and attending a meeting with the Mayor’s communications team.
- Attending city events, including a special Rugby Canada announcement at Glebe High School and a groundbreaking ceremony at the University of Ottawa’s Advanced Research Centre.
New for 2025: Expanded Leadership Experiences
This year, we’re expanding the contest to include additional leadership opportunities:
CEO for a Day
Shadow a leader in a key sector:
Ottawa Community Housing CEO, Stéphane Giguère (Not-for-Profit)
Ottawa BlackJacks President & CEO, Mark Wacyk (Sports Business)
Each of these immersive experiences provides a behind-the-scenes look at how municipal leaders and organizations shape Ottawa.
Applications are opening soon—we can’t wait to see who will take on the challenge next!
Youth Film Festival: A Platform for Emerging Filmmakers
We were happy to participate in the 2024 Ottawa Youth Film Festival this past Youth Week! The festival is youth-led initiative that provides emerging filmmakers with a platform to showcase their creativity. It made it’s debut in 2024 at the historic Mayfair Theatre, and features short films from young filmmakers across Ottawa, spanning diverse genres and storytelling styles. Founded by high school and university students, the it is entirely youth-led and features exciting competitive categories for diverse age groups that highlight the expansive talents of young filmmakers.
The Youth Film Festival engages youth creativity while also serving as a networking hub, that connects young filmmakers with industry professionals, collaboration opportunities, and new resources. It is dedicated to creating more arts-focused spaces in Ottawa—empowering youth to share their stories, build connections, and carve out their own opportunities.
We can’t wait for the next Ottawa Youth Film Festival! Stay tuned for category details and submission deadlines. For details visit their website.
...Let's keep making Youth Week Amazing Together
Youth Ottawa is always looking to collaborate with community organizations to amplify their events and expand Youth Week programming. If you’re interested in partnering or adding an event to Youth Week, we’d love to hear from you!