ActivateYYC is taking on a new focus: helping communities transform pedestrian connections like shortcuts, catwalks, mazes, and mews — with grants awarded up to $1600. We are looking for fun, volunteer-driven projects that engage the community and create meaningful changes to shared spaces. We want to help you re imagine these spaces across Calgary as places of greater activity and connectivity.
You will work through the three phases, with support from the ActivateYYC team as needed and inspiration from the #ReimagineCatwalks Playbook. The goal is to engage neighbours in a makeover of a shortcut that is quick, low cost, and transformative. The three phases are:
Shortcuts, catwalks, mazes & mews or simply “shortcuts” are an important piece of community infrastructure. They enable residents to efficiently reach key local destinations like schools, parks and shopping. They also shorten the distance to reach the edge of a physical community.
If you’re wondering, “Should I apply for ActivateYYC?“, here are a few things to ask yourself:
- Are you a community builder (or do you want to be)?
- Do you have great ideas for improving shortcuts in your neighbourhood?
- Are you a huge fan of Calgary and its communities?
- Do you want to get involved in a community project?
If any of these statements sound like you, you would be a great fit for the ActivateYYC initiative!
How it all started
ActivateYYC started as a tactical urbanism microgrant initiative, first launched in May 2017. It helped Calgarians temporarily change spaces to encourage people to “walk, play and be neighbourly”. Over the two year period, ActivateYYC microgrants led to 769 volunteers completing 75 projects, across the city, engaging more than 13,671 Calgarians.
