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Civic Youth Fellowship

Made in Edmonton (amiskwacîwâskahikan)🇨🇦, shared globally 🌎

Learn how your city works. Build your leadership. Make an impact.

Hours & Duration: Temporary Full-time 10 weeks (non-hybrid/in-person)

Location: Edmonton w/ travel required throughout the city

Compensation: $25.25 per hour at 36.9 hrs per week (for 10 weeks)

Reporting to: City Councillor Member or City of Edmonton Deputy City Manager & IslamicFamily Fellowship Coordinator (employment contract is with IslamicFamily and placement is at City of Edmonton)

Application Deadline: Sunday Oct 18, 2026. 11:59 PM

Length: Placements start in May 2027. Bi-monthly training from January 2027 - April 2027

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Purpose

The Civic Youth Fellowship was created to develop the next generation of civic and community leaders and broaden the voices, experiences and perspectives represented in municipal government.

The Fellowship brings together passionate young leaders who care about Edmonton, are engaged in their communities and want to better understand the issues shaping their city.

Through meaningful experience inside municipal government, fellows gain the knowledge, relationships and opportunities to turn that passion into action — while bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to the work of the City.

Our goal is to build a stronger pipeline of diverse leaders who see themselves playing a role in Edmonton’s future.

What You’ll Gain

Real experience

Work alongside City leaders and teams and contribute to meaningful projects involving policy, research, communications, community engagement, events and other civic priorities.

Civic knowledge

Learn how municipal government works, how decisions are made and how communities can participate in and influence local government.

Leadership skills

Strengthen your communication, collaboration, networking, advocacy, relationship-building and professional skills through hands-on learning.

Mentorship

Receive one-on-one guidance from an experienced mentor who will support your personal and professional development throughout the Fellowship.

A professional network

Build relationships with fellow emerging leaders, mentors, community organizations, elected officials and City professionals.

A chance to contribute

Bring your experiences, ideas and community perspectives into the work. CYF is not just about observing government — it is about contributing to it.

Indigenous perspectives and connection

Contribute to meaningful projects connected to Indigenous priorities, relationships and initiatives and participate in community-led cultural practices and learning.

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How The Fellowship Works

CYF is a competitive program with several stages. Here’s what to expect:

1. Apply

Applications are reviewed by a diverse team from IslamicFamily, the City of Edmonton, community partners and Friends of the Program. We look at your community connection, civic interest, experiences, ideas and potential to grow.

2. Interview

Selected applicants are invited to an interview with community leaders, City representatives and other professionals involved in the Fellowship.

3. Learn, Build and Develop Your Idea

Successful candidates are invited to complete three to four months of pre-placement training in municipal government, civic engagement, leadership, communication and professional development.

During the training, you’ll also develop an idea for a project connected to an issue or opportunity you care about in Edmonton. You’ll submit a short video introducing your idea, what you hope to explore and the skills or perspective you would bring to it.

Your project idea helps potential host offices get to know what matters to you, how you think and what you could bring to their team.

4. Meet City Teams

Your project video is shared with participating host offices before a speed networking event, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet City teams, discuss your interests and project idea, learn about their work and explore where there may be a strong fit.

5. Get Matched

Matches are made based on interests, skills, potential projects, host office needs and overall fit.

If matched, you’ll complete a paid, full-time 10-week placement with a City Administration team, Councillor’s office or the Mayor’s Office.

Your original project idea may become part of your placement, but it doesn’t have to. Your host office may have another project or priority that better aligns with its work and your skills. The project idea is an opportunity to demonstrate your interests, initiative and what you can contribute.

Important: Being selected for pre-placement training does not guarantee a City placement. The number of placements depends on the host offices participating each year.

What if I’m not matched?

Completing pre-placement training is still an achievement. Participants who complete the program but are not matched will receive a certificate of completion and continue to benefit from the mentorship, relationships and professional and community networks developed through CYF.

Placements

Fellows complete a paid, full-time 10-week placement with participating offices.

This is not a job-shadowing experience. Fellows are selected and prepared to participate and contribute.

Depending on the placement, fellows may:

Conduct policy research and jurisdictional scans

Develop briefing materials, reports and recommendations

Analyze data or support program evaluation

Participate in community and stakeholder engagement

Attend Council, committee and project meetings

Support communications and public-facing initiatives

Develop resources, surveys or engagement tools

Contribute to a defined project or priority within their host office

Every placement is different because the work reflects the priorities of the host team as well as the skills, interests and perspectives each fellow brings.

What Have Fellows Worked On?

Previous Civic Youth Fellows have contributed to substantive projects across municipal government.

Their work has included:

Researching transit safety and youth access to public transit and engaging directly with Edmonton residents

Conducting program evaluation and community research to strengthen partnerships between the City and community organizations

Developing recommendations related to mental health within emergency communications

Researching environmental and public health issues and developing public communications

Exploring strategies to strengthen youth participation and public engagement

Mapping community, cultural and faith organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration and stronger community networks

Developing accessible resources connecting residents with gender-based violence supports

Conducting research related to workforce attraction and recruitment

Designing surveys and engaging directly with residents on neighbourhood development

These are only examples. Each year’s placements respond to real priorities within participating City offices, giving fellows an opportunity to apply their skills while contributing something meaningful.

New This Year: Indigenous-Focused Placements

This year, CYF is partnering with the City of Edmonton’s Indigenous Relations Office (IRO) to expand opportunities for First Nations, Métis and Inuit young leaders interested in gaining hands-on experience in municipal government.

In addition, the IRO will coordinate placement opportunities available to any selected fellows to contribute to meaningful City work connected to Indigenous priorities, initiatives and relationships.

Applicants interested in these opportunities will have an opportunity to indicate their interest during the application process.

Fellowship showcase

At the end of the Fellowship, fellows come together to share their experiences, projects and learning.

The Showcase is an opportunity to celebrate their contributions, reflect on their growth and share what they have learned with City leaders, community partners, mentors and one another.

[Explore the 2024 Fellow Showcase]

[Explore the 2025 Fellow Showcase]

[Explore the 2026 Fellow Showcase]

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We are looking for emerging leaders who care about their communities, are curious about Edmonton and are ready to learn and contribute.

Applicants must:

1. Be 19–30 years old

2. Live in Edmonton or the surrounding area

3. Have the legal right to work in Canada

4. Demonstrate a commitment to community

5. Be respectful and comfortable working with people from different backgrounds and perspectives

6. Communicate clearly and professionally

7. Be willing to learn, ask questions and receive feedback

8. Be able to work independently and collaboratively

9. Be willing to learn and use common digital tools

10. Be interested in learning about Edmonton and municipal issues

Post-secondary education is an asset, but it is not required.

We recognize that leadership and experience take many forms. Employment, volunteering, community involvement, cultural knowledge, advocacy, caregiving, lived experience and other experiences can all contribute to what you bring to the Fellowship.

What We Look For

Applications will be considered based on:

Community connection How have you contributed to your community, formally or informally?

Curiosity and civic interest Why do local issues matter to you, and what would you like to understand better?

Communication Can you communicate your experiences and ideas clearly and thoughtfully?

Local awareness What issues, opportunities or priorities are important to you and your community?

Potential and willingness to learn What would you bring to the Fellowship, and how would you use the opportunity to grow?

You do not need to be an expert in municipal government before applying. Learning how the City works is part of the Fellowship.

Thinking About Applying?

Don’t count yourself out because you don’t meet every qualification perfectly.

There is no single path to becoming a Civic Youth Fellow. We value community experience, curiosity, different perspectives and a willingness to learn.

If you care about your community and you’re ready to grow, we encourage you to apply.

Go to the next page!

I meet all the requirements and would like to apply

Yes