Collège Nordique receives VIF Program funding to support Francophone youth in the Northwest Territories

Collège Nordique is one of 13 organizations selected across Canada as part of the 2026–2027 VIF Program – Organizational Grants stream, coordinated by Réseau dialogue.

Thanks to $70,000 in funding, Collège Nordique will implement the project “Talent Incubator: a Northern model of educational innovation for Francophone youth in the Northwest Territories.”

This project aims to address a very real challenge in the North: the lack of structured spaces where Francophone youth can learn, create, and thrive in French, in a context shaped by geographic isolation and linguistic diversity. Although many are dynamic and engaged, several young people leave the territory due to a lack of local opportunities for personal, professional, and community development.

A structured pathway to support projects and personal development

At the heart of the project, Collège Nordique is introducing a growth pathway, an accelerator of growth for Francophone youth in the North, a structured program that will take place every other Saturday.

Each day will be designed as a complete development space:

• well-being activities in the morning,
• personal work sessions in the afternoon,
• and evening gatherings to share progress, learning, and challenges encountered.

Participants will also have the opportunity to contribute to a podcast in order to document their journey, strengthen collective learning, and develop their communication skills.

The program will be rolled out starting in mid-April, with activities beginning in June. Two cohorts of youth aged 18 to 30 will be welcomed, a first in the summer and a second in the fall.

Supporting mobility and opening to the world

In addition to the pathway, a second component will directly support project development. Four initiatives led by participants will be selected and will receive $2,000 each to attend a conference or training outside the Northwest Territories, in French.

To be eligible, participants must have attended at least 75% of the sessions and present their project. This support aims to encourage openness, skill development, and the visibility of Northern Francophone initiatives.

Personalized support through mentorship

A mentorship component will complement the participants’ experience. This pairing between youth and mentors will support the development of projects or professional pathways.

Although optional, this component will provide a space for personalized support and may also be highlighted through the podcast, showcasing the relationships and learning that emerge from these exchanges.

“This project responds to a real need we observe every day: providing Francophone youth with meaningful spaces to connect, exchange, and envision their future in French. The Talent Incubator will help strengthen their sense of belonging while equipping them with the tools to grow with confidence in their personal and professional journeys,” said Mounir Barry, Director of Student Experience and Quality Assurance at Collège Nordique.

By fostering perseverance, linguistic security, and the development of concrete projects, this initiative will help shape a new generation of leaders rooted in their identity and committed to the sustainable development of Northern Francophone communities.

“The Talent Incubator fully reflects Collège Nordique’s vision: creating learning environments grounded in Northern realities that support the vitality of the Francophonie and the development of communities. This project allows us to support a new generation of leaders who can showcase their identity and their territory,” added Patrick Arsenault, Executive Director of Collège Nordique.

Published on March 23rd 2026