Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2), in partnership with Wawanesa Insurance, has opened applications for the third year of the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grants.
The program will provide $150,000 in funding to support youth-led climate solutions across Canada, emphasizing projects that address climate adaptation and mitigation. This year, the initiative encourages solutions that help communities prepare for and respond to environmental risks such as flooding, wildfires, hail, and other climate-related stresses.
The grants are part of Wawanesa's broader Climate Champions program, which invests $2 million annually to support organizations and initiatives working on the front lines of climate change. The program aims to build long-term community resilience while fostering innovation and practical solutions that can reduce the impact of climate-related losses, a growing concern for insurers and policyholders alike. Insurance companies, particularly property and casualty providers, are increasingly focused on risk reduction and resilience as extreme weather events drive rising claims costs.
By supporting youth-led initiatives, Wawanesa and C2R2 said they are encouraging the development of local solutions that can ultimately mitigate the financial impact of climate events on communities and insurance portfolios.
Previous recipients of the grants have pursued a wide range of projects, from developing biodegradable enzymes and embedding climate resilience into nursing curricula to enhancing low-carbon concrete and exploring sustainable battery metal recovery methods.
Cebert Adamson, vice president academic at Mohawk College and C2R2 co-chair, said the funding has allowed students to turn ideas into tangible projects, with real-world community benefits, and expressed anticipation for the 2026 projects, noting the growing urgency of adaptation in the face of climate change.
Each selected project will receive $30,000 in funding. Applicants must be aged 18 to 30 and currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a C2R2 partner institution. The entities said applications will be accepted from Jan. 12 to Feb. 27, 2026, with winners announced on April 22.
Mitchell McEwen, Wawanesa director of sustainability, climate resilience and community impact, noted that supporting youth-led innovation allows insurers to encourage proactive solutions that strengthen local resilience. Holland College student Jeshuah Gilroy, a 2025/2026 grant recipient, highlighted the role of the funding in turning research into actionable projects, noting that practical interventions at the community level can help reduce climate-related losses and long-term risk exposure.
Through this initiative, Wawanesa and C2R2 are advancing both climate adaptation and insurance-sector resilience, demonstrating the growing intersection between youth innovation, environmental stewardship, and risk management strategies that benefit communities and insurers alike.
