The Edmonton Youth Economic Ecosystem Collaborative
Systems Change & Community Empowerment Initiatives
The Edmonton Youth Economic Ecosystem Collaborative
The Edmonton Youth Economic Ecosystem Collaborative (EYEEC) is a collaborative of members (individuals and organizations) working with youth and other stakeholders to improve economic conditions for young people (15-30 years) in Edmonton, especially youth facing barriers, by supporting changes to systems that will make it easier for youth to access and sustain meaningful employment, career development, training or entrepreneurship opportunities.
Collaborative Partners:
The City of Edmonton​
Skillcity Institute
Youth Representatives
CAREERS: The Next Generation
The Neighbourhood Empowerment Team
Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters
You will gain first-hand experience by applying knowledge and problem-solving skills while developing self-awareness and immense personal growth through collaboration with peers, project-based mentors, and working with different organizations and professionals in various industries.
Projects to date
Youth Representatives
EYEEC worked with youth to plan and implement 2 large engagement opportunities, one in 2021 to identify barriers and opportunities and the other in 2022 to brainstorm solutions to those barriers.
We heard from 250 youth who generated over 300 ideas, that called for their elevated involvement and increased collaborative work with the workforce development organizations, private businesses, funders, educators, and other
government ministries.
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The specific ideas emerging from these sessions for stakeholders were increasing diversity and inclusion in recruiting and in workplace settings, and more funding for
internships that lead to permanent employment, flexible and accessible programs for clients seeking career and employment support, and a more consistent, relevant
curriculum for career exploration and employment readiness supports in junior and senior high settings. Including youth voice and decision-making at the table was widely affirmed.
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Solutions for the whole economic development sector include working more collaboratively to identify gaps and opportunities. Working towards collective advocacy
and changes that will have the most significant impact on youth, employers, and workforce development organizations emerged out of the conversations and research.
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EYEEC sees a role in convening a cross-sector of stakeholders to have real conversations about policies, funding, programs, and focus areas that could address the long-standing youth unemployment and inequitable economic opportunities for young people in Edmonton and hopefully scale this to Alberta as well.
2021 and 2022 Report & Snapshot
View the full reports and snapshots from 2021 and 2022 below:
2021 Report & Snapshot
2022 Report & Snapshot
