Sustainability is an increasingly important concern in Canadian communities and around the world. Across the globe our ecosystems and the human systems that depend upon them have come under considerable stress as we strive to meet the needs of a growing population. To address this issue, United Nations Member States adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 and singled out education as one of the critical pillars for preparing present and future generations to combat inefficient natural resource use and socio-economic challenges that accompany them.

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The primary goal of the Sustainable Youth Challenge is to develop key sustainability and career competencies in youth by infusing creative problem-solving and innovation within a team-oriented, problem-based learning program. In addition, participation in SYC empowers youth to make informed decisions and take responsible actions for environmental integrity, economic viability, and a just society for present and future generations. Curriculum-linked lessons and resources for grades 9-12 will guide students through inquiries into key concepts of sustainable development, the role of agriculture as a uniting thread of the SDGs, and case studies illustrating innovative youth solutions to sustainability challenges. Students will then engage in collaborative problem-solving and design processes to innovate their own solutions to a sustainability challenge identified within their local food systems.