(TORONTO, ON) May 15, 2024 – Students from University of British Columbia have been named the 2024 Desjardins Youth Empowerment Challenge National Champion. The winning team was selected by Canada’s largest experiential learning platform, Enactus Canada, and program supporter Desjardins.

Enspire endeavours to spark creativity, inspire passion, and foster global awareness by introducing Grade 6-7 students to social entrepreneurship. Throughout the program, students will learn about business fundamentals through interactive workshops, each with a digital workshop, live session, and learning challenge that students can submit for feedback with the chance to win monthly prizes. At the end of the program, students will have the opportunity to come participate in a full day event hosted at UBC, Enspire Day, where students will apply what they have learned over the year with our program through various group activities and presentations and meet local entrepreneurs.

“Fostering the potential of the next generation is a hallmark of Enactus Canada’s mission,” said Catherine Fowler, President and CEO of Enactus Canada. “Our students work tirelessly to empower young minds to reach their full potential.”

“Congratulations to all national finalists for their hard work and dedication, and a special congratulations to Enactus students at the University of British Columbia for being named the Desjardins Youth Empowerment Challenge National Champion,” said Desjardins. “Desjardins is proud to support Enactus Canada students’ collective efforts in building the skills of young Canadians across our country.”

The Desjardins Youth Empowerment Challenge empowers post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that address the needs and opportunities facing youth. New for 2024, this impact challenge focuses on the education, skill development, and life-long success of youth (aged 25 and under) across Canada.

Student teams demonstrated the impact of their youth empowerment projects to panels of business executives at the Enactus Canada National Exposition, taking place May 14-16 in Toronto, Ontario.

The annual three-day event unites hundreds of delegates – including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals, and top Canadian CEOs to enable progress by supporting entrepreneurial action through competition, recognition, and education.

For more information about the event, competition updates, and results, visit enactus.ca/events/national-exposition

ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA:
Enactus Canada is a registered Canadian charity providing programs to inspire post-secondary students to initiate and operate socially and environmentally positive enterprises. Currently, more than 2000 students on 75 campuses across Canada are engaged in Enactus projects dedicated to improving the quality life for people in their communities, across Canada and around the world.

For more information, visit enactus.ca.

About Desjardins Group:
Desjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the fifth largest in the world, with assets of $435.8 billion as of March 31, 2024. It has been named one of Canada’s Best Employers by Forbes magazine and by Mediacorp. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, its online platforms, and its subsidiaries across Canada. Ranked among the world’s strongest banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and one of the highest credit ratings in the industry.

Media Inquiries:
Tyler Maddigan
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Enactus Canada
tyler@enactus.ca | 709.725.8931