Arctic Inspiration Prize and Small Economy Works Partner to Support Northern Youth in Bringing Ideas to Life

Press Release

October 21, 2025

The Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) is proud to announce a new partnership with Infuse, a micro-grants and skills-building program by Small Economy Works (SEW), designed to empower youth in Northern and remote communities. This collaboration ensures that young Northerners (ages 30 and under) now have more resources and support to complete their nomination (applications) to the AIP.

Through Infuse, youth gain access to micro-grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, mentorship from experienced leaders (including past AIP Laureates), skills training, and a supportive peer network. Delivered through a gamified, interactive platform, the program guides participants through practical milestones – from engaging their community to building budgets – while providing hands-on experience in project development. Together, Infuse and AIP form a complementary pathway: helping youth start small, grow their skills, and scale their vision into ambitious projects worthy of national recognition.

“The future of the North depends on the energy and vision of young people. By working with partners like Small Economy Works, the Arctic Inspiration Prize can make it easier for youth to put forward their ideas, connect with mentors, and access the resources they need to succeed. Supporting youth-led initiatives and making them more accessible is essential to building stronger communities across the North,” said Wally Schumann, Chair of the AIP Charitable Trust.

Since its inception, the Arctic Inspiration Prize has awarded more than $30 million to Northern-led projects that address critical challenges and opportunities across the North. This new partnership with Infuse strengthens AIP’s commitment to youth by ensuring that great ideas do not fall through the cracks, but instead grow into lasting community impact.

“We’ve seen so many young Northerners hesitate or doubt themselves, not because they lack vision, but because the process can feel overwhelming. That’s why this partnership between Infuse and the Arctic Inspiration Prize matters so much; it creates a pathway for youth to start small, build skills, build connections, and gain confidence, while knowing there’s a larger stage waiting for them,” said Niroja Thiru, Project Manager at SEW. “Together, we’re showing young people that their ideas are not only possible, but worth investing in – step by step.”

About the Arctic Inspiration Prize

The Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) is Canada’s largest annual prize, celebrating and enabling Northern-led achievements across the fields of education; health and wellbeing; culture, arts and language; science and traditional knowledge; climate change; food security; and the economy. Each year, the AIP awards: one $1 million prize, up to four prizes of up to $500,000 each, and up to seven youth prizes of up to $100,000 each. The AIP is owned and governed by the northern-led AIP Charitable Trust and is supported by a broad network of partners from the North and South.

About Infuse by Small Economy Works

Infuse is a program of Small Economy Works, funded by Canada Service Corps, that will distribute up to $500,000 in micro-grants over two years to youth-led projects in Northern and remote regions. The program combines funding, mentorship, and peer collaboration with a gamified learning platform that builds skills and confidence while supporting youth in launching community-based projects

Media Contact:
Lizzy Devine
Marketing and Brand Manager
613-808-0489
lizzy.devine@rhf-frh.ca

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