Spur Change 2023 National Conference - Inter-Council Network-Réseau de coordination des conseils

The Spur Change annual national conference is a signature event to bring together Canadian small and medium organizations (SMOs) and educators in the Canadian global development sector.

To answer participants’ call for a space for deep, relationship-based exploration and peer knowledge sharing, this year, the 2023 annual conference will be held as eight separate, smaller regional events.

Four of these SMO and/or educator gatherings will be SMO and educator-led in May and June 2023. These events, led by SMOs, educators, or combined groups of the two, should be focused on peer-knowledge sharing. Peer-knowledge sharing can take many forms, but centers around creating spaces where we learn from other practitioners in our field with the understanding that everyone can contribute and learn from each other. For the selected event leads, up to $5000 towards a peer-knowledge sharing event will be offered via a subcontractor relationship. Find more details below.

These four SMO and educator led events can be based in either Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Québec, or Saskatchewan.

Updates

Check out this section to stay in the know with the latest news!

Applications are now closed. Thanks to everyone who applied!

Submissions are being reviewed by our selection committee over the coming weeks. Selected event leads will be contacted in early April.

* Last updated March 21, 2023.

Theme

Each event, or “Spark,” will have its own main themes, programming and feel, but will center around the theme of People and Planet, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP). (Specifically Action Area 4: environment and climate action)

Basic event delivery details

This application is for up to $5000 to offset costs of staffing and program delivery (can be combined with other funding).
A subcontractor relationship and scope of work will be established for each event.
Event must be delivered between May 1 and June 30, 2023.
Coordination and support from the Spur team includes communications elements, basic monitoring and evaluation, and financial processes. Event support may be determined on a case by case basis.

Application process

Submission must be received between February 15 and March 15 2023. Submission deadline is 8pm ET | 5pm PT on March 15, 2023.
Any format is accepted– for audio visual, 1- 5 minutes in length / for written, 1-5 pages.
Applications must include a simple budget.
Consortia are allowed, teams of multiple people allowed (please note that SMO & educator & youth combined groups will be prioritized).
Existing events permitted, and combining with existing funds permitted.
Events are expected to include a minimum of 25 attendees.
Results will be announced in early April, 2023.

Selection Criteria

The submission must:

Demonstrate audience knowledge.
Demonstrate an engaging way to explore the theme of People and Planet through a peer-knowledge sharing event.
Demonstrate similar event type delivery experience.
Demonstrate a thoughtful approach to inclusion and accessibility.
Include a simple budget (example provided in budget section and outlined in the FAQs).
Applicants must be either SMOs, educators, or a combined team. Ideal teams will include youth (under 35).
Event leads must be based in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Québec, or Saskatchewan. Events must also take place in these regions.

Contact Us

For any and all questions, reach the Spur Change team at spurchange@icn-rcc.ca where we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.