The Jeanne Sauvé Foundation continues to champion student-led innovation by supporting two distinct pathways for social impact: global expansion and workplace equity.
Jeanne Sauvé Global Project Accelerator Best Project Award
Through their 12-week program, SKYES from Simon Fraser University is teaching youth in Nepal and the Philippines the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. This year, 86 participants were equipped with the tools to develop, plan, and launch their own social ventures, receiving mentorship and support along the way.
Designed to spark cross-cultural collaboration, the Jeanne Sauvé Global Project Accelerator empowers teams to reimagine existing projects by partnering with other teams in target countries and adapting their ventures for communities outside Canada.
Jeanne Sauvé Workplace Inclusion Project Accelerator Best Project Award
Wilfrid Laurier University’s Sapphire is Canada’s first comprehensive transition-to-work program for autistic postsecondary students. Using a holistic approach to providing career-ready skills training, paid internships, and access to a network of neurodivergent professionals and university allies, participants can find community and bridge the gap between graduation and employment.
New this year, the Jeanne Sauvé Workplace Inclusion Project Accelerator empowers teams to deliver projects promoting workplace inclusion, accessibility, and equity for employees with disabilities. Six teams received funding to support projects that remove barriers so all employees can contribute meaningfully to their organization’s success.
These two Enactus teams have truly embodied the mission of the Foundation through their projects, SKYES and Sapphire
In 1991, Jeanne Sauvé gave her inaugural speech at the first National Jeanne Sauvé Youth Forum, the beginning of the work that is now continued by the Foundation 35 years later. The following was taken from her speech, “The Youth Foundation was created in 1990 for young leaders who are motivated to get involved and active in advancing and promoting their impact on their community and society, to implement social change. A leader must dream about changing the world; they must have an inspired vision of the changes they want to make and be prepared to concentrate all their energy to that purpose.”
This year, a total of $30,000 was awarded across twelve projects through the Jeanne Sauvé Project Accelerators. Each project received $2,500 in funding, directly impacting 434 people in Canada. Congratulations to all the teams!
Learn more about the Project Accelerator program and other award winners from our National Exposition.
