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Changemakers

Virtual Workshop Days
About EngageFest!
The Tamarack Institute is excited to gather with our Networks for Change to build our skills together and advance a bold vision for Canada rooted in the power of place and our shared learnings. We will bring together more than 150 social innovators, change makers, and community leaders working in place to end poverty in all of its forms for two days of networking, capacity building, inspiration, knowledge sharing, and to build a shared vision to further guide Tamarack's public policy and government relations efforts.
We are at an unprecedented moment in our history where a series of interconnected challenges are severely stressing the social and ecological systems that have allowed us to thrive. At the same time, growing inequalities and a loss of belonging are worsening impacts on individuals. Fortunately, we know that communities – the power in place – have the wisdom, experience, and assets to address these challenges and strengthen institutions to improve the quality of life and wellbeing for everyone.
Complex issues like economic poverty, climate change, community wellbeing and belonging, and opportunity for young people are woven into the fabric of the communities we live in. Tamarack exists to support the changemakers who are often under-resourced, stretched thin, and working in isolation but who are passionate, innovative, and deeply committed to making a difference. Communities are ambitious and deeply rooted in this crucial work, but they need governments at all levels to partner with them for impact, learn from what is happening on the ground, support their long-term efforts, and shift policies, resource flows, and institutions that often worsen challenges.
Engagefest! 2025 is all about communities and fostering real connections across the Networks for Change to advance the change needed to make the work happening in communities easier and more impactful. We will celebrate the amazing work that you are doing, share skills to improve the local advocacy, policy, and systems navigation efforts happening throughout the network, and build a bold policy agenda to guide Tamarack’s efforts with governments and institutions.
This virtual event is packed with inspirational leaders working in the community, government, and policy advocacy. We invite all participants, whether dedicated to climate transitions, poverty reduction, building belonging, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Reconciliation, youth leadership, or other areas, are encouraged to share their stories, knowledge, and expertise.
Engagefest! Attendees will:
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Explore tools and resources to shift power, advance policy change for impact, and make meaningful shifts systems.
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Apply learning strategies: Take home practical strategies, tools, guides, and examples to create change and make a sustainable impact in your community and initiatives.
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Celebrate impact: share your stories of impact with your peers; hear their community change stories, learn from each other’s challenges, and celebrate your impact!
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Learn ways to leverage local knowledge and community assets to transform systems.
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Walk away with strategies for igniting motivation to sustain collaboratives and nurturing collective efforts.
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Meet peers from across Turtle Island and beyond to discover their creative approaches to addressing social inequities and challenges.
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Shape Tamarack’s public policy and government relations efforts.
AGENDA
All times listed are in Eastern Standard Time. The agenda is subject to change.
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Day One: Skills for Change |
Day Two: Setting Our Bold Vision |
10:00 AM |
Optional Pre-Session (Coffee & membership) |
Optional Pre-Session (Policy discussion) |
11:00 AM |
Welcome / Setting the Stage |
Reconvene the Learning Community |
11:30 AM -12:00 PM |
Cross-scale & sector partnerships for impact |
Workshops Day 2 Setting a Policy Agenda for Communities pt1 |
12:00 - 12:20 PM |
Break |
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12:20 - 2:00 PM |
Day One Workshops Building our capacity to lead change |
Workshops Day 2 Setting a Policy Agenda for Communities pt2 |
2:00 - 2:20 PM |
Break |
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2:20 - 2:55 PM 2:55 - 3:15 PM |
Day One Keynote: Debrief |
Workshop Report Back & Discussions |
3:15 - 4:30 PM |
Day One Panel: Novel Policy Ideas from Members and Partners |
Setting Priorities & Positions for Impact |
4:30 - 5:00 PM |
Wrap-up |
Synthesis & Wrap-up |
Workshop Descriptions Coming Soon

Register Now
Engagefest! 2025 is dedicated to the collaboratives that make up our Networks for Change (Ending Poverty, Building Belonging, Youth Futures, and Climate Transitions).
Members of the network are invited to bring two participants to Engagefest! to learn together and shape our efforts to shift policies and systems to end poverty in all its forms.
If you have questions about your member or who to bring, please reach out to justin@tamarackcommunity.ca