Civic Zine Lab

In 2026, we are launching the Dear Future YEG Civic Zine Lab, a creative civic storytelling project inviting young people to share their lived experiences, hopes, and visions for Edmonton’s future.

Ways to Participate

In-Person Civic Zine Lab

Edmonton

Online Zine Contest

Canada-Wide

Selected works will be published in a community zine (print + digital) and shared with schools, community organizations and local policymakers to amplify youth voices.

Register
Contact Us

Call for Participants: In-Person Civic Zine Lab (Edmonton)

  • The Dear Future YEG Civic Zine Lab is a two-day, in-person creative workshop where 20 Edmonton-based youth will be selected to come together to explore civic identity, belonging and change-making through art and storytelling.

    Through guided workshops, mentorship from local artists and facilitators, and hands-on creation time, participants will co-create a community zine featuring:

    • Poetry and personal essays

    • Visual art and illustration

    • Photography and mixed media

    • Reflections on civic participation, mental health, access and belonging

    No prior artistic or writing experience is required, just curiosity, openness, and a desire to share your voice.

  • You are eligible if you:

    • Are 16-35 years old

    • Are an Edmonton local

    • Can attend both days of the Civic Zine Lab (dates TBD)

    • Are able to attend the zine launch event (date TBD)

    • Are interested in creative expression, community storytelling or civic engagement

    We strongly encourage applications from youth who are:

    • Racialized, Indigenous, immigrant or newcomer

    • 2SLGBTQIA+

    • Living with disabilities or chronic illness

    • First-generation students or youth navigating systemic barriers

    • Honorarium for participation

    • Meals provided during sessions

    • Travel costs covered or reimbursed (within Edmonton)

    • Professional headshots and interviews (optional)

    • Access to creative mentors and facilitators

    • Publication of your work in the Civic Zine (with credit)

    • Invitation to the public zine launch event

  • We are committed to making this space accessible and welcoming. We will provide:

    • Accessible venue and seating

    • Dietary accommodations

    • Clear workshop agendas and breaks

    • Content warnings and opt-out options for sharing

    You will be able to share access needs in the application form.

  • Can’t join us in person? Youth across Canada are invited to submit original creative work to the Dear Future YEG Online Zine Contest.

    We are looking for bold and imaginative submissions that explore:

    • Belonging and identity

    • Mental health and well-being

    • Access to education, work, and opportunity

    • Civic participation and youth voice

    • Your hopes for the future of your city or community

    Selected submissions will be featured in the Civic Zine and shared widely.

    • Youth aged 16-35

    • Living anywhere in Canada

    • Submitting original work (not previously published elsewhere)

    • Poetry

    • Short essays or reflections (up to 1,000 words)

    • Visual art or illustration (JPEG/PNG)

    • Photography

    • Mixed media or collage (scanned or photographed)

    • Top 5 submissions will each receive a gift card prize

    • Winners will be selected through a combination of public voting and judges’ review

    • Judges will include artists, community leaders, and youth advocates (lineup TBD)

    All participants will be credited if their work is published.

Call for Submissions: Online Zine Contest (Canada-Wide)

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or contact us.

If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply!

Register

  • No. The Civic Zine Lab and Online Zine Contest are open to youth at all skill levels. We value lived experience, perspective and storytelling over technical perfection.

  • You may request to use a preferred name or alias, or request anonymity. Please indicate this in the submission or application form.

  • You retain ownership of your work. By participating, you grant Dear Future YEG a non-exclusive right to publish, share and promote your work for educational, community and reporting purposes. You will be credited unless you request otherwise.

  • Yes. Participants must be available for both full days of the Civic Zine Lab and the Zine launch event. This ensures a shared experience and cohesive publication.

  • We understand that unexpected situations happen. Please communicate with the organizers as early as possible so we can explore accommodations where feasible.

  • We aim to meet a wide range of access needs, including physical accessibility, dietary accommodations, content warnings, breaks and flexible participation options. You can share your needs in the application form or by emailing us directly.

  • Winning submissions will be selected through a combination of public voting and review by a judging panel. The exact weighting and judging criteria will be shared before voting opens.

  • Yes, but each participant can only win one prize.

  • Civic Zine Lab participants are required to attend the launch event (date TBD). Online contest participants are invited but not required to attend.

  • Yes. Participants aged 16-17 may be required to complete additional consent documentation.

All contributors retain ownership of their work. By participating, contributors grant Dear Future YEG a non-exclusive right to use submitted or created materials for publication, promotion, education, and reporting purposes. Contributors will be credited by name or preferred alias.