Rural Ontario Institute Announces Launch Of 2024 Rural Change Makers Program

by Bob Montgomery

The Rural Ontario Institute recently completed their recruiting for the 2024 Rural Change Makers Program.

Communications and Program Manager Melanie Bidiuk says the Rural Change Makers Program is for young people between the ages of 18 and 35. They had 37 applications this year and they accepted 27. The Rural Change Makers program will equip emerging leaders throughout rural and northern Ontario with skills to mobilize community-led action on local priorities. More than 20 regional partners and collectives are coming alongside these young leaders including: Opiikapawiin Services LP ᐅᐱᑲᐸᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᓇᐣ - representing a collective of 24 First Nations in northwestern Ontario as well as Community Futures Huron, Trenval Business Development Corporation, Minden Hills/Haliburton Collective – altogether over 20 leaders, experts, business owners, CFDC’s, educators, organizations and farmers.

Bidiuk says they look for anyone who's interested in making a difference in their community and also building what she refers to as their preferred future and that involves leadership and rural development. “So anyone who has a passion for leading changes in their own lives, which leads to changes in their community, is invited to apply.” She says the 2023 Change Makers who just graduated have done things like starting their own business, expanded the family farm, lead non-profit work in on-farm child care and on-farm safety, they founded non-profits working with mental health and well being in indigenous communities, they started youth groups in communities where youth are very disconnected from the outside world and even from their own community. Bidiuk says one Change Maker from Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation developed plans for a half million dollar vertical farming enterprise so that he could provide nutritious, affordable, healthy food for his community.

This year's Change Makers class is just underway but Bidiuk says while they're building their own future, the social return on investment is huge but there are long term benefits too. She says when a young person is engaged and connected and is made to feel like they belong in their community, then that community is their home and they want to contribute to their home.

More information about the Rural Change Makers Program can be found on the Change Maker page of the Rural Ontario Institute website.