Hong Kong Watch Youth Initiative Programme 香港監察青年政治參與計劃

Youth Initiative Program 2026

Empowering the next generation of Hong Konger leaders in Canada and the US

Support the next generation of leaders.

Through the Youth Initiative Program, we invest in young people – developing future leaders who will strengthen democratic institutions and expand representation of the Hong Kong community in North America.

Support us today to empower young Hong Kongers to engage, lead, and make a lasting impact on our shared future.

Overview

The Youth Initiative (YI) Program is a flagship civic education and leadership program, designed by Hong Kong Watch to empower young Hong Kongers in the diaspora to actively participate in democratic life.

Since its launch in Canada in 2022, the program has trained over 60 young participants and successfully placed interns in the Parliament of Canada, with several alumni progressing into full-time roles in federal, provincial, and municipal governments.

In 2026, we are expanding the program across both Canada and the United States – equipping the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and networks to engage in public service, policy, and community leadership.

Why this matters

Young Hong Kongers arriving in North America bring resilience, global perspective, and a strong commitment to democratic values. However, many face barriers to entering civic and political spaces, including limited access to networks, mentorship, and institutional knowledge.

The YI Program addresses this gap by providing:

• Civic education on democratic institutions and public policy
• Direct exposure to political systems in Canada and the US
• Pathways to internships and careers in public service

At a time of increasing global authoritarian influence, investing in democratic leadership within diaspora communities is more important than ever.

Impact

Your support will help us:

• Train and mentor the next generation of diaspora leaders
• Expand access to civic education and political engagement
• Build a pipeline of talent into democratic institutions
• Strengthen the voice and representation of the Hong Kong diaspora

With your help, we aim to train 50+ young participants across Canada and the US in 2026.

How your donation helps

$100: Supports a participant’s access to training materials and workshops

$250: Supports a participant’s full training experience in Canada

$1,000: Supports participation in the Washington, DC training program

$2,000+: Supports internships, program expansion, and long-term leadership development

Program in Canada

The YI program in Canada continues to build on a strong foundation:

• A structured training series in Toronto (in person and online) covering government systems, public policy, and party politics
• Workshops on professional communication, political engagement, and career pathways
• Community engagement through civic education events
• Internship and volunteering opportunities with MPs and municipal offices

More information can be found here.

Program in the US

In 2026, the YI Program will expand into the US:

• A three-day training conference in Washington, DC (September 12-14) for selected candidates
• Visits to Congress and online seminars
• Additional in-person training sessions provided separately by the Bay Area HongKonger Community Center in California

More information can be found here.

Act now – we value your support. By investing in this program, you enable talented young Hong Kongers to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to the democratic institutions that shape our shared future.