Leadership and volunteering

Toronto Youth Cabinet, the City of Toronto's official youth advocacy body, is accepting working group applications from youth aged 14-24 on topics like budget, housing, transit and community safety.

• Grades not published
• Cost not published

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' national youth leadership journey for ages 15-29 (so open to Class 10-12 students): an online quiz and essay, then district, state and national rounds, with a chance to present ideas to the Prime Minister. The 2027 edition's open stages have ended; the next call has not been announced.

• Grades 10–12
• Cost not published

Singapore's non-competitive self-development and leadership award for young people aged 13 to 30, with Bronze, Silver and Gold levels built from voluntary leisure-time activities and community leadership.

• Grades not published
• Fee: $7 SGD

An annual weekend nature and climate leadership summit for Ontario youth aged 14 to 20, hosted by Ontario Nature and its Youth Council.

• Grades not published
• Cost not published

YMCA model state government program for Connecticut high school students, culminating in a conference at the State Capitol.

• Grades 9–12
• Fee charged, amount not published

Weekly St John Ambulance Cadet groups for young people aged 11 to 17, teaching life-saving first aid, volunteering and leadership.

• Year 10–13
• Fee: £150

Nationally auditioned wind orchestra and chamber music courses for players aged 14-21, with Easter chamber courses and a summer main orchestra residency in 2027.

• Year 10–13 / S3–S6
• Fee: £1,149

Scottish Ballet's classically based pre-vocational training programme for students from Primary 5 to Secondary 5, entered by annual audition. Applications for 2026/27 are closed.

• S3–S5
• Cost not published

A three-month program for Grade 10-12 students to build environmental knowledge, leadership skills and conservation action projects with mentors, based in the Calgary area.

• Grades 10–12
• Cost not published

A selective peace-education and international-affairs programme run since 2017 by the Junior Chamber International Japan, in which up to 10 junior high and high school students train in Japan, visit international organisations in New York and then run awareness activities in their home regions.

• Grades 9–11
• Fee: ¥500,000

A Goethe-Institut youth exchange in which 14-17 year-olds from the UK and Germany develop a creative project together and visit both countries. Application rounds are announced per pathway.

• Year 10–13 / S3–S6
• Cost not published

Children First Canada recognizes ten young changemakers under 18 each year across categories such as racism, education, bullying, climate, reconciliation and entrepreneurship.

• Grades not published
• Cost not published