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. 

Submissions close on October 5th, 11.59pm.

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 

Applications will be shortlisted by mid-October, 2025. 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.

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

Follow along the journey of your Change Engine winners:

Join us live!

Get a front row seat to the action.

Join us for an unforgettable night where Waterloo’s Changemaker’s pitch their visionary projects to our panel of judges in a live competition. 

What’s in it for you? 

  • Free food & refreshments 
  • A door prize worth $100
  • The chance to witness impactful ideas come to life and network with student leaders, and the WUSA Advocacy team.

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: Win 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. 

Past Winners

Curious how to budget your project? Here’s how last year’s winners distributed their funding. 

Stream 1 Winner: WYGO by Christopher Oka & Jocelyne Murphy

$5,000

Events: $2,000

  • Venue rental, Food costs, Marketing, Stakeholder/Participant relationships

Design/ Software Freeland: $2,000

  • Understanding Audience, Analyzing Event Data, Gathering Insights

Finale Event: $1,000

  • Longer term/ broader community, Stakeholder/Participant relationships
Stream 2  Winner: EcoPlastic AI Mobile App by Dev Katyal

$3,000

Launching Program: $500 

  • App fees, Website creation, Testers 

Campaigning: $600 

  • Posters, Pamphlets, Social Media Ads 

Events: $1,200 

  • Banners, Decorations, Prizes, Food 

Feedback Survey: $500 

  • Participation renumeration 
Stream 3 Winner: Campus Safety Initiative by Katie Traynor 

$1,000

Marketing/ Advocacy: $250 

  • Websites, Posters, Social Media posts, etc. 
  • Meeting with stakeholders 

Piloting Program: $700 

  • Required equipment 

Staff Appreciation: $100 

  • Food, gifts, etc. 

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 

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) 

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

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. 

  • Please use the funds exclusively to support your project’s goals. 
  • Be sure to include meetings and stakeholder fees in your budget proposal. 
  • Plan to use the full budget thoughtfully and effectively. Aim to create a project that can thrive and continue even after WUSA mentorship ends. You’re welcome to allocate part of the prize as an honorarium.
  • Remember, this is your project—WUSA is here to guide and support, but you’ll be leading the way. Think ahead and plan how you’ll distribute the funds throughout your project’s timeline 

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

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!  

The judges will consist of both students and staff.

The event will take place in January 2025, in the Black and Gold Room in the SLC.  

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

  • Large Projects: $5,000
  • Medium Projects: $3,000  
  • Smal Projects: $1,000 
  • Additional perks: Networking, social media spotlight, webpage features, and more!  

 

We’re happy to offer accessible formats and alternative methods for participating in the process. To learn more or request an accommodation, please contact Amrit Khaira, Advocacy Specialist, at akhaira@wusa.ca