The ONE Campaign is inviting passionate individuals in Canada to apply for the ONE Canada Global Activists 2026–2027 cohort. This volunteer opportunity is designed for people who want to advocate for stronger investments that create economic opportunities, improve health outcomes and support a healthier future across Africa.
The program offers participants the chance to strengthen their advocacy, communications and leadership skills while becoming part of a wider international network of activists working to advance global justice.
Applications for the 2026–2027 cohort are open to eligible residents of Canada, with the program scheduled to run from October 2026 to October 2027.
About the ONE Canada Global Activists Program
The ONE Global Activists program brings together people who are passionate about tackling global inequality and advocating for policies and investments that can improve lives, particularly across Africa.
As a Global Activist in Canada, participants will have opportunities to learn about advocacy, Canadian and international politics, development finance and media engagement. They will also be supported in taking meaningful action within their communities and engaging decision-makers on issues connected to ONE’s advocacy priorities.
The program is particularly suited to individuals who want to turn their interest in global development into practical advocacy experience.
What Will Global Activists Do?
Selected participants will become part of a network of advocates working to support ONE’s campaigns and public advocacy efforts.
Depending on their interests and activities, Global Activists may have opportunities to:
- Participate in advocacy campaigns focused on global development and Africa.
- Engage with elected officials and other decision-makers.
- Represent ONE at relevant events and activities.
- Take part in community-based advocacy actions.
- Help raise awareness of issues affecting global development and economic opportunity.
- Use communications and social media to mobilize people around advocacy campaigns.
- Connect with other activists in Canada and the wider ONE Global Activists network.
- Contribute creative ideas and actions that support ONE’s advocacy priorities.
The program therefore combines learning, networking and practical advocacy experience rather than being limited to classroom-style training.
Training and Skills Development
One of the major benefits of joining the ONE Canada Global Activists program is access to training designed to help participants become more effective advocates.
Training will cover areas such as:
Advocacy
Participants can develop practical knowledge of how advocacy campaigns are designed and implemented, including how individuals and communities can influence public policy.
Canadian and Global Politics
The program provides opportunities to better understand Canadian politics and the broader international political environment in which global development decisions are made.
Media and Communications
Activists can strengthen their ability to communicate important issues through media, public speaking, social media and other communication channels.
Development Finance
Participants interested in international development can develop a stronger understanding of development finance and the investments required to support economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa.
These skills can be useful for individuals interested in communications, international development, nonprofit work, advocacy, public policy, community organizing and social impact.
Networking Opportunities
Joining the program also means becoming part of a broader community.
Global Activists in Canada will have the opportunity to connect with other activists across Canada as well as members of the ONE Global Activists network in:
- Canada
- Europe
- Africa
- The United States
This international network can provide opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from other advocates and build connections with people working on similar global issues.
Opportunities to Meet Elected Officials
Participants may have opportunities to represent ONE and engage directly with elected officials.
This can provide valuable practical exposure to political advocacy and help participants understand how campaign messages can be communicated to policymakers.
For people interested in public policy, government relations, international development, communications or political advocacy, this can be an important learning experience.
Community Action and Advocacy Support
Global Activists will receive dedicated support to develop and carry out creative community actions that contribute to ONE’s advocacy work.
This means participants are not expected to work completely independently. The program provides support as activists develop activities designed to raise awareness, engage communities and encourage action around important global issues.
Key ONE Campaign Issues
Applicants are asked to identify the ONE Campaign issues they are most passionate about.
These include:
Foreign Assistance
Advocacy around international assistance and the investments needed to support development and reduce inequality.
Global Health
This includes issues such as:
- Vaccines
- Ending malaria
- Tuberculosis
- HIV/AIDS
- Strengthening global health systems
Partnerships Between Canada and Africa
Applicants can express an interest in strengthening relationships and partnerships between Canada and African countries.
Energy Partnerships With Africa
The program also welcomes people interested in creating stronger energy partnerships with Africa.
Sharing African Stories
Participants can also focus on communicating African stories and perspectives and helping ensure that African experiences receive greater visibility in public conversations.
Applicants may also identify another area of interest if it does not fall directly within the listed categories.
Who Should Apply?
The program is intended for people who are passionate about global justice and interested in taking action on issues affecting Africa and international development.
People with experience or training in areas such as the following may find the opportunity particularly relevant:
- Public speaking
- Social media
- Event planning
- Writing, including blogs and opinion articles
- Grassroots organizing
- Political campaigns
- Legislation and budgets
- Advocacy
- Community engagement
- Communications
However, applicants are not restricted to people with experience in every one of these areas. The application allows individuals to identify the areas where they have relevant training, education or experience and to indicate areas where they would like additional training.
For more information visit HERE.
Leadership Experience
Applicants are also asked about leadership positions they currently hold or have previously held in other organizations.
This gives applicants an opportunity to demonstrate their involvement in organizations, communities, campaigns, volunteer activities or other initiatives where they have taken responsibility or helped lead others.
Commitment Required
The ONE Canada Global Activist program requires participants to dedicate a few hours each month to the program.
There may also be occasional requirements to attend:
- In-person events
- Trainings
- Advocacy activities
- Other program-related activities
Applicants must therefore be able to commit to participating between October 2026 and October 2027.
Before applying, prospective applicants should consider whether they can realistically maintain this commitment alongside school, employment, volunteering or other responsibilities.
Important Eligibility Requirement
One of the most important conditions for this opportunity is that applicants must be residents of Canada.
The application form specifically requires applicants to confirm that they are residents of Canada.
Therefore, although the program focuses significantly on issues affecting Africa and welcomes people interested in partnerships between Canada and Africa, being based in Canada is a requirement for participation.
People living outside Canada, including applicants currently residing in other African countries, cannot qualify for this particular Canada-based cohort simply because they are interested in African development.
Age Requirement
The ONE Canada Global Activist program is open to all ages, while placing particular focus on youth.
The application asks applicants whether they are 35 years old or younger.
This means the program is not presented as an opportunity exclusively for people under 35, but younger applicants are an important target group.
African Diaspora Participation
Applicants will also be asked whether they are members of the African diaspora.
This question is included as part of the application and allows ONE to understand the backgrounds and communities represented among applicants.
However, the application information does not state that being part of the African diaspora is a requirement for applying. The central geographic eligibility condition is Canadian residency.
Previous ONE Global Activists
Applicants are asked whether they have previously participated as a ONE Global Activist in Canada during either the:
- 2024–2025 cohort; or
- 2025–2026 cohort.
This indicates that the application is designed to identify both new applicants and individuals who may have previously participated in the program.
Program Period
Successful participants are expected to commit to the program for approximately one year.
The stated program period is:
October 2026 – October 2027
Applicants should therefore be prepared to participate throughout this period and meet the program’s monthly time commitment.
Application Deadline
The deadline to complete the application is:
August 31, 2026
Applicants should complete the entire application form before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
Before submitting, applicants should make sure that all required personal information and application questions have been completed accurately.
Information to Prepare Before Applying
Applicants should be prepared to provide information including:
- Preferred pronouns
- First and last name
- Email address
- Phone number
- City
- Region
- Postal code
- Country
- Current occupation
- Whether they are part of the African diaspora
- Whether they are 35 or younger
- Previous participation in the ONE Global Activists program
- ONE campaign issues they are passionate about
- Their motivation for joining the program
- Areas of training, education or experience
- Other organizations they are involved with
- Their ability to commit between October 2026 and October 2027
- Current or previous leadership roles
- Areas where they would like additional training
Applicants should think carefully about their motivation and experience before beginning the application because several questions require written responses.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Applicants can improve the quality of their application by clearly connecting their interests and experience to the goals of the program.
1. Explain Your Motivation Clearly
When answering why you want to become a Global Activist, avoid giving a generic response.
Instead, explain what specifically motivates you to work on issues such as global health, Africa-Canada partnerships, foreign assistance, energy partnerships or sharing African stories.
2. Highlight Relevant Experience
Think broadly about your experience.
Relevant experience could include:
- Volunteering
- Student leadership
- Community projects
- Social media campaigns
- Writing
- Public speaking
- Event organization
- Advocacy
- Youth initiatives
- Nonprofit activities
- Political or civic engagement
3. Show Your Interest in Advocacy
The program is specifically designed around advocacy, so applicants should demonstrate that they are interested in creating change and engaging people around important issues.
4. Be Specific About Training Needs
The application asks whether there are specific areas where you would like to receive training.
Use this question to identify genuine areas where developing additional skills would help you become a stronger advocate.
5. Demonstrate Your Ability to Commit
Because the program runs from October 2026 to October 2027 and requires a few hours each month, applicants should demonstrate that they understand the commitment and can participate consistently.
Application Process
Interested individuals should first review the official ONE Canada Global Activist information sheet and Frequently Asked Questions before completing the application.
The application is completed online and requires applicants to answer questions about their interests, experience, leadership background, availability and motivation.
Applicants must confirm that they are residents of Canada.
The application must be completed by August 31, 2026.
Privacy and Communications
As part of the application process, applicants are provided with privacy information concerning how their information is handled.
The form also gives applicants the option of signing up for communications from ONE about opportunities to take action on global inequality and related issues.
Applicants can choose whether they want to receive these communications.
The application also notes that submitting the form involves agreement to ONE’s privacy policy, including provisions concerning the transfer of information to ONE.org’s servers in the United States.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The ONE Canada Global Activist program provides an opportunity to move beyond simply learning about global development issues and become involved in advocacy.
For participants, the program can provide a combination of:
- Advocacy training
- Political and policy knowledge
- Communications experience
- Media skills
- Networking
- Community engagement
- Leadership development
- Opportunities to interact with elected officials
- Exposure to international development and development finance
- Participation in a global activist network
The experience may be particularly valuable for people interested in careers or future opportunities involving international development, nonprofit organizations, communications, public policy, advocacy, government relations and social impact.
Final Thoughts
The ONE Canada Global Activists 2026–2027 program is an opportunity for people in Canada who want to become more active in advocating for global justice, stronger Canada-Africa partnerships and investments that support economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa.
Participants can gain practical advocacy and communications skills, connect with activists across Canada and internationally, engage with elected officials and receive support for community-based actions.
The program runs from October 2026 to October 2027, requires a commitment of a few hours per month and may include occasional in-person events and training.
Most importantly, prospective applicants should remember that Canadian residency is a mandatory eligibility requirement.
If you are a Canadian resident who is passionate about Africa, global health, international development, advocacy or social justice, and you can commit to participating throughout the 2026–2027 program period, this could be a valuable opportunity to develop your advocacy skills while contributing to campaigns for global change.
Application deadline: August 31, 2026.
Official application: https://act.one.org/survey/global-activist-application-canada-2026/
Opportunity Category
Category: Volunteer / Advocacy Leadership Program (ONE Global Activist program)
Who Qualifies?
Primary eligible group: Individuals who are residents of Canada.
Age: The program is open to all ages, with a particular focus on youth. Applicants are asked whether they are 35 or under.
Background: Applicants can come from different professional, educational and community backgrounds. Experience in public speaking, social media, event planning, writing, grassroots organizing, political campaigns, legislation/budgets or related areas can be relevant.
Geographic eligibility: This specific ONE Canada program requires applicants to be resident in Canada. It is therefore not open to people applying solely from Kenya or other African countries while residing outside Canada.
African diaspora: Applicants are asked whether they are members of the African diaspora, but the application information does not state that African-diaspora status is a requirement.
Commitment: Successful applicants must be able to participate from October 2026 to October 2027, dedicating a few hours per month and potentially attending occasional in-person events and training.
Deadline
August 31, 2026
Official Application
https://act.one.org/survey/global-activist-application-canada-2026/
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