Ottawa’s Organization for Civic Engagement

We are a community of citymakers collaborating to make Ottawa
the best city it can be.

Become a CityMaker
"

Empowering Ottawa CityMakers to Build Community since 2011

Through civic education and other facilitated activities, we connect people and institutions to share and collaborate on initiatives that aim to make Ottawa better, healthier, and more resilient.

Experiential Learning & Civic Literacy Programs

Community Consultations

Peer-To-Peer Sharing & Networking

Civic Engagement and Placemaking-Related Events

Discover Our Work

Building Community for a Better Ottawa

Synapcity provides civic literacy and civic engagement opportunities that bring Ottawa residents together to contribute to the public good while building community.

We help people from all horizons understand our city and give them a sense of belonging so that collectively, they feel confident and empowered to bring positive change.

Find Out More
Building Community

Our Impact

Through our civic engagement programs, passionate citymakers are empowered to make change.

Over 400 Civics Boot Camp Alumni

%

feel more confident and empowered *

%

of participants plan to start a new initiative *

*Civics Boot Camp Participant Survey

Our Alumni in the Community

Many amazing Ottawa social innovation initiatives started right here at Synapcity.

Scroll to see a few Alumni projects.

GottaGo Campaign

Joan Kuyek, Shawn Walker and Mariane Eriksson participated in Synapcity’s Civics Boot Camp in 2013 and started the GottaGo! Campaign.  This aims to create a network of safe, accessible, free, clean and environmentally responsible public toilets and water fountains in parks, major transit stops and key public places in Ottawa.

 

BeetBox Farm

Jeremy Colbeck is a Synapcity alumni, having joined our 2016 Civics Boot Camp. Since then, he has gone on to relaunch BeetBox Co-Operative Farm with David Mazur-Goulet and Lise-Anne Léveillé. Beetbox is a workers’ cooperative using sustainable farming practices to grow wholesome and organic vegetables. As of next year, their produce will be available exclusively through a weekly vegetable box program (CSA).

Lending Library

In 2014, Maria Gomez Umana graduated from the Synapcity Civics Boot Camp. She wanted to develop a stronger sense of community in her Kanata Lakes neighbourhood. Drawing on her passion for literature and culture, she decided to build a miniature library to put in front of her house. Now the library is a real neighbourhood hub.

Become a CityMaker

A city is the range of decisions and actions taken by people like you to make themselves and their neighbours happier, healthier, smarter and safer.

A city is its people therefore you are this city.

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Current Opportunities

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