Ottawa Makes Waves to Raise Awareness

The second microgrant program of Impact Hub and WWF in Canada increased ocean health awareness and action in the Ottawa region.

How did the collaboration begin?

In 2015, WWF Canada and Impact Hub Ottawa came together to co-create and launch Ottawa Wave Makers. The first-of-itskind micro grant program was truly a collaborative effort: WWF Canada provided the funding, and Impact Hub contributed program management and participant engagement. After achieving great success in its first year, the decision was made to build on program learnings and run the Ottawa Wave Makers a second time in 2016.

What was the approach?

A micro grant program provides citizens with small grants to turn their ideas into action. In its first year, eight Wave Maker projects were selected and five in 2016. Within the five months of support from Impact Hub Ottawa, each project delivered an important message on why ocean health matters and how previously disengaged citizens can play a critical role in ensuring sustainable ocean habitats.

What skills did WWF and Impact Hub bring to the table?

Communications & outreach for the call for ideas: Impact Hub used social media and face-to-face interactions to target a wide variety of Ottawan audiences.
Selection process & judging criteria: Developed in consultation with WWF Canada, the selection process and criteria.
Ongoing grantee support: Impact Hub was the primary point of contact for all grant receivers, which included offering business/social enterprise advice, facilitating introductions and providing communications support.

What was the resulting impact?

Raised societal awareness: Social media, blogs, and news channels helped increase reach and awareness around the theme of healthy oceans.
Implemented successful projects: Despite Wave Makers’ diverse backgrounds, all reported a positive experience and attributed a large portion of their success to support provided by WWF Canada and Impact Hub Ottawa.
Deepened understanding of ocean issues: Citizens directly involved in Wave Maker projects gained new knowledge and experience, while Wave Makers reported that they developed a greater understanding of ocean issues and the importance of engaging local citizens to protect our oceans.

Project Examples

1. Banning the Bead: A scientist mobilized Ottawans to conduct the first ever data sampling for microbead/microplastic pollution in the Ottawa River. The project included a media campaign to educate communities and consumers on the issue of microplastics. The goal was to influence the federal government to pass legislation banning the usage of microbeads in personal care and cosmetics products.

2. Digital Food Supply Chain: Transparent Kitchen is a startup that offers digital services to enabled Ottawa restaurants to showcase the supply chain for the sustainable seafood on their menus.

3. Ocean Explorer’s Test Kit: Water Rangers created test kits for citizen scientists to take to the ocean where they carried out scientific research to learn about the health of oceans. The project includes the kit, a field guide, in-person training sessions, and an online video.