The Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF) invests in communities where youth gangs are an existing or emerging threat and supports initiatives that clearly target youth in gangs or at greatest risk of joining gangs. Priority is given to projects that address specific risk and protective factors associated with youth violence and gang membership and will demonstrate results that reduce and prevent the risks of future gun violence and gang activity. The NCPC works with provinces and territories to identify those communities most affected by gang-related problems. Funding will be directed to community-based organizations and municipalities that are addressing these issues.
The objectives of the YGPF are to:
- Invest in communities where gangs are an existing or emerging threat
- Invest in initiatives targeting youth in gangs or at greatest risk of joining gangs
- Address specific risk and protective factors associated with youth violence and gang membership to mitigate the risks of gun violence and gang activity
- Provide alternatives to gangs in order to help youth develop pro-social competencies and attitudes
- Support knowledge and evidence-based community interventions that target gun violence and gang-related issues by tackling their root causes
In order to achieve these objectives, the YGPF supports projects that:
- Provide youth with the knowledge, skills and support needed to resist joining gangs.
- Address the individual, family, school and community risk factors associated with youth violence (e.g. individual/family counselling, mentoring, problem solving and conflict resolutions skills, socialization and recreational opportunities).
- Work with youth already involved in gangs to help them leave their gang.
- Provide the support ex-gang members need to avoid returning to the gang lifestyle (e.g., remedial education and skills development).
- Add to the body of knowledge on evidence-based good practices for addressing gun violence and gang-related issues from a Canadian perspective.
Project evaluation
Evaluation is a key activity in the implementation of the National Crime Prevention Strategy. In addition to the regular monitoring and reporting required of all funded projects, the NCPC supports the robust and rigorous evaluation of selected projects or groups of projects. The NCPC provides assistance to develop evaluation plans that are appropriate to the type of project being undertaken.
The results of project evaluations contribute to building the evidence and knowledge about effective crime prevention. Through project evaluations, the NCPC identifies promising and innovative crime prevention practices and approaches. The dissemination of knowledge results enables Canadian communities, researchers, and policy-makers to develop more effective crime prevention initiatives, locally and nationally. For more information on project evaluation, please see NCPC publications – Building the evidence.
More resources
For more information
To discuss whether funds are available and details related to accessing them, please contact the NCPC National Office at 1-877-302-6272 or send an email to prevention@ps.gc.ca.
To be kept informed of news regarding the NCPC Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF) and other crime prevention information, please register with the NCPC distribution list.