Youth Engagement in Community Building: Encouraging Active Participation in Host Communities
Introduction/Overview
Youth Engagement in Community Building refers to programs and initiatives designed to involve refugee youth in activities that contribute to the development and well-being of their host communities.
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we prioritize empowering refugee youth to play active roles in community-building efforts by creating opportunities for them to participate in volunteering, leadership roles, and civic engagement. Our programs foster a sense of belonging, encourage social inclusion, and promote positive interactions between refugee youth and members of the host community, building social cohesion and mutual respect.
Refugee youth often face barriers to community participation, including language differences, cultural misunderstandings, and displacement-related trauma. By engaging them in community-building activities, RefPIC helps to break down these barriers, allowing youth to contribute their talents and skills while also building relationships with peers and neighbors. These programs are vital for fostering peaceful coexistence, strengthening community ties, and promoting the integration of refugees into their new environments.
This approach aligns with key international frameworks, including:
Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which highlights the importance of social inclusion and community engagement for refugee populations.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11 & 16), which emphasize the importance of creating inclusive communities and promoting peaceful, just societies.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989), which guarantees the right of all children, including refugee youth, to participate in community life and have their voices heard.
A Vision for Youth-Led Community Building
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we believe that youth engagement is key to building stronger, more inclusive communities. Our vision is to empower refugee youth to become active participants and leaders in community-building efforts, contributing their unique perspectives, skills, and experiences to create positive change. By involving youth in civic engagement and community development projects, we aim to promote social integration, build mutual respect, and foster peaceful coexistence between refugees and their host communities.
We are committed to creating opportunities for refugee youth to take on leadership roles, participate in volunteering, and engage in community projects that enhance the well-being of both the refugee and host populations. Through our Youth Engagement in Community Building programs, we strive to create a future where all youth, regardless of background, can play a vital role in shaping inclusive and vibrant communities.
How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Youth Engagement Programs
RefPIC’s Youth Engagement in Community Building programs are designed to provide refugee youth with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to participate in community development and civic engagement. Our programs focus on fostering leadership skills, promoting volunteering and service-learning, and creating platforms for youth to engage with local communities, contribute to community projects, and build social networks.
Key components of our Youth Engagement in Community Building programs include:
Volunteer and Service-Learning Opportunities: Providing refugee youth with opportunities to engage in community service projects that benefit both their peers and the broader community, fostering a sense of responsibility and belonging.
Youth Leadership Training: Offering training programs that develop leadership skills and empower youth to take on active roles in community initiatives and decision-making processes.
Civic Engagement Programs: Facilitating youth involvement in civic engagement activities such as neighborhood improvement projects, environmental stewardship, and community advocacy.
Social and Cultural Exchange Activities: Organizing activities that promote cultural exchange between refugee youth and their peers in the host community, encouraging mutual respect, understanding, and social cohesion.
Why Youth Engagement in Community Building Matters
Refugee youth bring a wealth of talents, skills, and perspectives to their new communities, but often face barriers to full participation in community life. Without access to engagement opportunities, refugee youth may feel disconnected and isolated, hindering their ability to build relationships, gain confidence, and integrate successfully.
Youth Engagement in Community Building programs are critical for breaking down these barriers and ensuring that refugee youth can play active roles in shaping the communities they now call home.
By promoting volunteering, leadership, and civic engagement, RefPIC helps youth build social networks, develop essential life skills, and contribute meaningfully to community development. These programs also foster social cohesion and mutual understanding, helping to bridge cultural divides and promote peaceful coexistence.
For host communities, engaging refugee youth in community-building activities strengthens social ties, enriches cultural diversity, and promotes positive youth development.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Youth Engagement in Community Building
As RefPIC continues to expand its Youth Engagement in Community Building programs, we are committed to providing refugee youth with the opportunities and support they need to make meaningful contributions to their communities. By focusing on volunteering, leadership development, and civic engagement, we aim to foster social inclusion and community resilience for both refugee and host populations.
Our Triple Nexus Approach—which integrates humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding—ensures that our youth engagement programs not only address immediate needs but also contribute to long-term community development, social cohesion, and empowerment.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our primary goals in Youth Engagement in Community Building include:
Promoting Youth Volunteering: Create opportunities for refugee youth to engage in community service projects that contribute to the well-being of both refugee and host communities.
Fostering Youth Leadership: Develop leadership skills and empower refugee youth to take on active roles in community-building efforts and civic engagement.
Encouraging Civic Participation: Facilitate refugee youth involvement in civic engagement activities, such as environmental stewardship, neighborhood improvement projects, and community advocacy.
Building Social Cohesion: Promote social and cultural exchange between refugee youth and their peers in the host community, fostering mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
How We Deliver Impact
Volunteer and Service-Learning Opportunities: RefPIC provides volunteering and service-learning opportunities that engage refugee youth in community service projects, helping them build social connections and foster a sense of belonging.
Youth Leadership Training: We offer leadership development programs that empower refugee youth to take on leadership roles in community initiatives and contribute to community development.
Civic Engagement Programs: RefPIC facilitates refugee youth participation in civic engagement activities, encouraging them to contribute to community-building efforts and advocacy projects.
Social and Cultural Exchange Activities: We organize cultural exchange activities that promote mutual understanding and respect between refugee youth and host community members, fostering social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Who Benefits
Refugee and Displaced Youth: Youth benefit from access to volunteering, leadership development, and civic engagement opportunities that help them build skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging in their new communities.
Host Communities: Host communities benefit from the contributions of engaged refugee youth who actively participate in community-building efforts, enriching the community and promoting social cohesion.
International Stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from programs that promote youth leadership, community engagement, and social integration, contributing to global development goals.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.
In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.
National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.
International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.
Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.
For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.
Get Involved/Call to Action
Support Youth Engagement in Community Building: Advocate for youth leadership and community-building efforts by supporting RefPIC’s engagement programs.
Volunteer: Share your expertise in youth development, community-building, or civic engagement to help refugee youth make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to provide youth engagement programs that promote leadership development, community service, and social integration.
Donate: Your financial contributions help fund youth engagement programs, ensuring that refugee youth have access to volunteering, leadership, and community-building opportunities.