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Win money to make a difference!

Up to $30,000* is available to fund SFU students who want to work with community partners to drive meaningful, lasting impact.

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* Award amounts subject to change.

"The idea behind the project is empowerment. We're aiming (to) empower people to change their own habits in a way that's not onerous, in a way that's fun.”

- Priscilla Lam (Project: BYO), 2020 Grand Award winner

"Naloxone kits save lives. The overdose crisis hits close to home, for everyone in BC. Combining “naloxone” and the Tri-Cities, my “home”, I’ve created NaloxHome. We’re cracking open the conversation not in a way that scares but just in a way that engages them."

- Chloe Goodison (Project: NaloxHome), 2020 Grand Award winner

"SFU’s Office of Community Engagement is so pleased to be able to support the good work that students are doing with their community partners. Each year of this competition brings forth stunning creativity and innovation."

-  Matthew Grant, director of SFU’s Office of Community Engagement
GRAND AWARD AND CONNECT FEST AWARD WINNER 2023-2024

THE BOAT PEOPLE ART INSTALLATION


Featuring a co-created selection of artwork that includes paintings, poetry, and personal narratives, The Boat People Art Installation is a response to the lack of widespread understanding of the Vietnamese Boat People’s history. The fall of Saigon in 1975 marked the beginning of a mass exodus of Vietnamese people, leading to a diaspora whose stories of hardship and bravery remain largely untold. It is not just about revisiting the past - it’s about recognizing the strength and resilience that have shaped the lives of these individuals and their families.

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GRAND AWARD WINNER 2023-2024

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE ART ENGAGEMENT PROJECT


With this project, we plan to utilize the transformative power of artistic expression by providing accessible and inclusive arts and crafts workshops within the DTES community. Beyond the therapeutic benefits, our initiative is dedicated to restoring a sense of community that has been eroded by the challenges faced by residents. Through collaborative creative activities, we aim to strengthen social bonds, reduce feelings of isolation, and create a platform for positive interpersonal interactions.

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ENGAGEMENT AWARD WINNER 2023-2024

FOOD FOR MARGINALIZED YOUTH


Healthy and nutritional food is critical for the development of children and youth. Unfortunately, many families face barriers in trying to access fresh fruits and vegetables. Our goal is to support marginalized youth in learning to grow their own plants and food. Over the course of a growing season, we will teach children how to plant, tend, and finally harvest the fruits of their labour. Our hope is that by helping children become more knowledgeable and engaged in the food-making process, they will develop lifelong healthy habits and an appreciation for sustainability. 

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  • March 08, 2024

    March 08, 2024

    Featuring rich programs of community-engaged education, arts-based engagement, and technological innovation, this year’s winners are addressing food security, migrant history, cultural connection, intergenerational knowledge-keeping, gender-based violence, access to education, the toxic drug crisis, climate grief and hope, reconciliation, and homelessness.

  • October 20, 2023

    October 20, 2023

    With transphobia growing in Canada, non-binary people in this country are asking for policies to protect them in sport, but they have been continuously left out of the conversations that should inform these policies. That’s where Martha Gumprich’s project comes in.

  • October 19, 2023

    October 19, 2023

    When COVID-19 hit, we all realized the importance of having a local neighbourhood network. Many people experienced major changes in their lives, such as losing their income and social network, or losing access to activities that supported their overall well-being. As a Roots of Empathy instructor who was fortunate enough to have a strong network of support, Rita Lee started looking for more ways to be of service to those around her.