What is The Change Engine

The Change Engine is a platform for YOU to make a meaningful change on campus. It’s more than just a competition – it’s a way for students to pitch advocacy projects that solve real issues. 

Students with selected pitches will receive funding, mentorship, and support to bring their advocacy ideas to life.  

Whether your idea tackles social justice, sustainability, student wellbeing, or any other campus concern, the Change Engine gives you the tools to get it off the ground. 

Who can participate?

The Change Engine is open to all University of Waterloo undergraduates, regardless of program or year. Whether you’re an experienced student leader or just passionate about making a difference, this competition is your opportunity to take the wheel and drive change. 

Submissions close December 8th.

The Change Engine is YOUR chance to turn big ideas into real change.
Advocacy megaphone icon
Advocacy
leadership icon
Leadership
campus improvement icon

Campus Improvement

Why does advocacy matter?

Advocacy is how students can drive real change, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. It’s about identifying challenges, developing solutions, and rallying support to make those solutions a reality.

At WUSA, advocacy has led to significant improvements, from better mental health services to more support for gender-based and sexual violence.

When you engage in advocacy, you’re helping to shape the future of the student experience – not just for yourself, but for everyone.

Students discussing mental health strategies.
A dark blue downward-curving arrow pointing to the left.

How it works

A shape with an angular, irregular outline featuring multiple straight edges and sharp corners, resembling a geometric abstract form. The shape is white with a black drop shadow, creating a three-dimensional effect against a background with no distinct features.
Flowchart showing steps to submit, pitch, fund, and execute an advocacy idea on campus. Step 1: Submit your advocacy idea. Step 2: If selected, pitch your plan to judges. Step 3: Win funding ad mentorship to execute your project. Step 4: Bring your ideas to life on campus!

Why join the Change Engine

The Change Engine offers you a platform to lead, learn, and make a tangible difference on campus.
As an Impact Driver, you will:

  • Create Real Change: Be a key part of executing a project that impacts campus.

  • Develop Advocacy Skills: Learn how to effectively champion important campus issues.

  • Build Your Portfolio: Add a substantial project to showcase your skills and impact.

  • Win Funding & Mentorship: Earn up to $5,000 and guidance from experts.

  • Gain Recognition: Be featured on WUSA’s website and social media as an ‘Impact Driver’

Prize details

Candidates may submit their project idea to one of three streams, with prizes and mentorship designed to bring your vision to life. Once applications close, our advocacy team will review submissions and shortlist two projects per stream.  

These selected teams will then compete in the final event, where they’ll pitch their ideas to judges and a live audience. At the end of the night, one winner from each stream will be chosen to receive the prize and the resources to turn their idea into action. 

Additional perks for all winners include mentorship sessions, marketing support, social media spotlight, webpage features, and more. 

Illustration of a gold medal with "Stream 1" text, adorned with colorful stars and a red ribbon.
Stream #1

$5,000

Perfect for large-scale projects with multiple execution components. This type of project may require additional resources and external participation. 

A gear-shaped badge with "Stream 2" text, red ribbons, and colorful star accents.
Stream #2

$3,000

Supports medium-sized initiatives that address campus challenges in innovative ways. May not require much external participation and feedback. 

A badge with "Stream 3" text, surrounded by stars and circles with red ribbons.
Stream #3

$1,000

Perfect for impactful, smaller scale projects requiring seed funding. 

How to apply

To submit your application, fill out the registration form!

Form includes following questions:

  • Candidate names and emails 
  • Your advocacy pitch including the issues you are addressing, the goal of this project, and your plan for how to achieve the stated goal 
  • Your execution plan and estimated timeline 
  • The funding stream you are applying for and plan for allocation of prize funds 

The submission deadline is midnight on December 8th.

Applications will be shortlisted by mid-December, 2024. Please check your email regularly for updates. Selected applicants will need to confirm their participation once selected. 

Please note: At least one representative must be present at the pitch competition event.

Key dates and timeline

  • Submission deadline: December 8th, 2024

  • Submission Selections: December 13th, 2024

  • Pitch Competition: Mid-January, 2024
  • Announcement of winners: Night of the Pitch Competition
  • Winners will have until August 2025 to complete their projects

Note: While this is the point until which the Change Engine supports the initiatives, you are still free to take your project further beyond that timeline.

Have questions or need accommodations? Contact Amrit Khaira, Advocacy Specialist

FAQs

This is an opportunity for University of Waterloo undergraduate students to transform their advocacy ideas into tangible impacts on campus, creating real change for their peers. We encourage students to take their grassroots advocacy concepts and make a difference. You’ll have the chance to implement your ideas with the support of prize money and mentorship!  

This is only open to undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo.  

Individuals cannot participate in the event on behalf of a service or club at the University. However, individual members of those groups are welcome to submit ideas if they do so in their own time and not during paid work hours. The submissions must come from them personally or as a group of students, separate from the service itself. This event is not open to graduate students, faculty, or alumni.  

You may present individually or up to a group of five individuals. 

  1. Clear Goals and Objectives: a positive and clear message, addressing a specific problem.
  2. Empowerment and Elevation: Focus on empowering themselves, and or others (students) through initiatives or campaigns.
  3. Communication: using multiple tactics and strategies such as setting meetings, building connections, campaigning, boothing, social media campaigns, awareness campaigns, resource sharing to communicate your project.
  4. Strategic Planning:   
    • Vision/Mission: Define or reaffirm. 
    • Goals: Set SMART objectives. 
    • Strategy: Develop action plans. 
    • Implementation: Assign roles and timelines. 
    • Execution: Put the plan into action. 
    • Monitoring: Assess progress regularly.
    • Review: Adjust based on feedback. 
  5. Partnerships and Collaboration:  local organizations, student groups, and community leaders to amplify efforts and resources. 
  6. Resource management: understand how to use your resources wisely. 

Bring your great ideas forward! To participate in The Change Engine, you’ll need to submit your application, fill out the registration form!

This package includes: 

  • Application Questions 
  • Submission of Presentation 

The WUSA Advocacy Team will reach out to you if your idea is selected to participate in The Change Engine. Other great ideas may get an opportunity to get spotlighted on WUSA webpages!  

Submissions will be graded based on the following criteria: 

  1. Relevance or Impact to Campus Community (20 points) 
    • (10 points/20 points if aligned with Annual Priority Area) 
  2. Innovation and Creativity (20 points) 
  3. Research and Methodology (20 points) 
  4. Feasibility and Timeline of Execution (30 points) 
    • (More points are allotted for quicker execution) 
  5. Organization and Presentation (10 points) 

The judges will consist of both students and staff.

December, 8th at 11:59PM. 

The event will take place on (Jan) in the Black and Gold Room in the SLC from 5:00PM-7:00PM.  

What kind of funding and support will the winning team receive? 

  • Large Projects: $5,000 + 3, 1 hour mentorship sessions from an Advocacy Specialist 
  • Medium Projects: $3,000  
  • Smal Projects: $1,000 
  • Additional perks: Networking, social media spotlight, webpage features, and more!  

 

The teams will receive prize money, which they can decide how to allocate toward their project. They will need to submit a detailed plan outlining their intended use of the funds before the money is disbursed to them. 

Teams will need to have their projects completed by August 15th 2025.  

For any accommodations you may need or if you have any other questions, please contact Amrit Khaira, Advocacy Specialist, at akhaira@wusa.ca