The Manitoba government is investing more than $9.6 million in the Urban/Hometown Green Team program, which creates employment opportunities for young Manitobans while also improving neighbourhoods and parks in our communities.

"Our government is proud to invest in the successful Green Team program as we work together to keep our communities clean and welcoming across Manitoba," says Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith. "Youth employed by the program gain valuable experience that will help them develop into young leaders in the communities where they work."

Urban/Hometown Green Team grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, education authorities, Northern Affairs Community Councils (NACC) and municipal governments to hire youth between the ages of 15 and 29 to work on community projects between May and September.

The funding is provided to improve neighbourhoods, promote community involvement, and help develop young leaders. The projects also stimulate local economic activity and improve job creation in urban and rural communities, particularly through recovery from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the program will fund 744 projects across the province and employ approximately 2,500 youth. The program funds 100 per cent of wage costs for non-profit organizations, education authorities and NACCs, and 50 per cent of wage costs for municipalities on a cost-shared basis. The first Green Team projects for 2023 will begin in May.

For more information on the Urban/Hometown Green Team program, visit https://gov.mb.ca/grants/.