Proclaimed by the City of Ottawa and held annually during the first week of May, Youth week highlights the incredible contributions of young people in sports, civic engagements, the arts, and the community. This city-wide initiative brings together community partners, organizations, and above all else, youth from across Ottawa to inspire, connect, and showcase their talents.
For more than a decade, Untapped has been one of Youth Ottawa’s most impactful and celebrated initiatives. A flagship event that showcased the creativity, leadership, and problem-solving power of young people across Ottawa.
Originally launched as a large-scale youth action and social entrepreneurship showcase, Untapped brought together hundreds of students each year who had spent months developing projects through Youth Ottawa’s Social Enterprise Program (SEP) and partner school board programs. These projects reflected deep thinking, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to making communities stronger. The 2024 Untapped Youth Action Showcase, hosted at the National Arts Centre, marked a high point in this legacy. Delivered in partnership with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) Social Entrepreneurs Program, the event welcomed over 550 students in grades 4–12. Youth presented entrepreneurial ventures designed with social purpose; demonstrating, year after year, that young people are not just future leaders, but capable change-makers right now.
Like many youth-serving initiatives across the city, Untapped has been affected by broader funding changes. As a result, the Untapped Youth Action Showcase will no longer proceed in its previous large-scale format. However, the spirit of Untapped is very much alive.
Moving forward, Untapped is evolving into a new form; one that reflects Youth Ottawa’s commitment to sustained youth engagement, leadership development, and real-world connection. Untapped is now the name of Youth Ottawa’s monthly youth networking and programming series, hosted at Ottawa City Hall. These monthly Untapped sessions are designed to be:
This evolution allows Untapped to reach youth more regularly, more equitably, and with deeper long-term impact, while continuing to honour the legacy of what Untapped has always represented: youth potential, activated.
The Mayor for a Day Contest gives Ottawa high school students a unique opportunity to step into the role of the city’s leader, gaining firsthand experience in municipal governance and city-building. Winners have the chance to shadow Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, learn about city initiatives, and engage with key decision-makers to discuss Ottawa’s future.
Last year, we congratulated Asim and Assia on winning the contest!
Their action-packed day included:
Shadowing the Mayor and engaging in discussions about city priorities.
Touring City Hall, meeting City Manager Wendy Stephanson, and attending a meeting with the Mayor’s communications team.
Attending a facility update and tour with members of Ottawa City Council and stakeholders at the new 34-acre waterfront community, Zibi Project.
This year, we’ve continued to expand the contests to include additional leadership opportunities:
CEO for a Day
Shadow a leader in a key sector:
Each of these immersive experiences provides a behind-the-scenes look at how municipal leaders and organizations shape Ottawa.
A selection committee made up of members of the Ottawa Youth Council Network, have selected the winners for 2026.
Applications are now closed for 2026
