Grant applications are now being accepted for the Urban and Hometown Green Team program, which allows organizations to hire youth between the ages of 15 and 29 for summer jobs across Manitoba.

“The Urban and Hometown Green Team program supports summer employment for hundreds of young Manitobans,” said Municipal Relations Minister Derek Johnson. “This program gives young people the opportunity to gain valuable work experience as they help support important projects in our communities. We also know that these grants and the work undertaken will help to support the province in continuing to rebound from the impacts of COVID-19.”

The grants support hiring youth ages 15 to 29 to work on community projects between May 1 and Sept. 30. Eligible recipients include non-profit organizations in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba, and municipal governments in rural Manitoba.

In 2021, the Urban and Hometown Green Team program approved 691 community projects for up to $9 million to support approximately 2,000 youth employment opportunities across the province.

This year’s funding prioritizes full-time employment opportunities for youth, projects that support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, and projects that respond to community need and partnerships.

The grants cover 100 per cent of wage costs plus $250 per position for non-profit organizations. Municipal governments receive 50 per cent of wage costs and $125 per position on a cost-shared basis.

The deadline for applications is Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. For more information on Urban and Hometown Green Team applications, visit gov.mb.ca.