the participaction community challenge
presented by novo nordisk
June 1 – 30, 2026
| This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada. |
 |
the participaction commUnity challenge
presented by novo nordisk
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.
Let’s make room to move!
In June 2025, people across the country got active to help their communities compete for the title of Canada’s Most Active Community and the grand prize of $100,000 to support local physical activity and sport initiatives.
2025 Community Challenge accomplishments:
- Individual participants: More than 846,000 people got active throughout June.
- Activities registered: Over 10,000 Challenge-related events, activities, initiatives and programs that helped reduce barriers to physical activity were recorded.
- Participating organizations: Over 1,500 organizations participated across Canada.
- Participating communities: 672 communities from every province and territory competed for the title of Canada’s Most Active Community.
- National winner: Richmond, B.C.
- Grand prize: $100,000 to support local physical activity and sport initiatives
Now it’s time to rally your community for the 2026 Challenge!
Get ready to get active this June to help your community be named Canada’s Most Active Community and receive funding to support local physical activity and sport initiatives!
What is the ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk?
The Community Challenge is a national physical activity and sport initiative that encourages everyone in Canada to get active throughout June in search of Canada’s Most Active Community, which wins funds to support local sport and physical activity initiatives, and the most active community in each province and territory. The Challenge mobilizes communities across the country and strengthens their capacity to support people in getting active where they live, learn, work and play. It also helps facilitate low-barrier, inclusive opportunities for physical activity and sport participation among people in Canada while rewarding engaged communities that get active. Since the Challenge began in 2019, we’ve awarded over $1.5 million in cash prizes to 49 winning communities across Canada to support local physical activity and sport initiatives.
Who can participate in the Community Challenge?
The Community Challenge is open to everyone in Canada! Local governments, schools and community organizations can register their June physical activity and sport initiatives, programs and events and track the numbers of participants on the Challenge web portal from June 1 to 30. After June 30, we will invite 40 finalist communities to apply to be named Canada’s Most Active Community.
How does the Community Challenge promote equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
Everyone living in Canada should have access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities that help them grow and thrive—physically, emotionally and socially. The Community Challenge helps facilitate low-barrier, inclusive opportunities for people in Canada to participate in physical activity and sport. Our Community Challenge grant program helps to level the playing field by supporting local governments and community organizations in promoting and delivering sport and physical activity opportunities to equity-denied groups, including Black and other racialized people, Indigenous peoples and communities, newcomers to Canada, older adults, people experiencing low income, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Since the Community Challenge began in 2019, we’ve provided over $7 million in grants to organizations across Canada to provide opportunities for people to get physically active and participate in sport. Together, we’re building stronger and healthier communities.
Coming soon: 2026 Community Challenge grant program
Application period: January 13 to February 10, 2026
Grants of up to $1,000 available
As part of the 2026 Community Challenge, we’ll be giving grants of up to $1,000 to northern and remote municipalities/local governments, community organizations and schools across Canada. The grants are designed to help them promote and provide physical activity and sport opportunities to equity-denied groups, including Black and other racialized people, Indigenous peoples and communities, newcomers to Canada, older adults, people experiencing low income, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Northern and remote municipalities/local governments, community organizations and schools can apply for these grants between January 13, 2026, and February 10, 2026. Please review the grant application guidelines and questions before preparing your application.
Learn more in our upcoming webinar
Topic: How to complete a grant application and prepare for the 2026 Challenge.
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET
Our grant program helps community organizations and equity-denied groups participate.
- Last year, we provided more than $800,000 in grants to 945 organizations to increase equity-denied groups’ participation during the 2025 Challenge.
- 96% of grant recipients agreed that the funds they received helped them build their capacity to provide physical activity and sport opportunities for their communities.
- 78% of grant recipients agreed that the grants helped them attract more people to their programs, initiatives, events and activities.
97% of participating communities reported gaining at least one benefit and 72% agreed they would still be benefiting six months later.
- 72% indicated that there was increased interest in physical activity or sport within their communities during the Challenge
- 61% indicated having increased ability to reach and engage equity-denied groups in physical activity and sport.
- 54% indicated increased participation and registration in their programs.
- 46% indicated that new partnerships were formed or existing ones were strengthened.
Community organizations can access various tools and resources to help them plan and promote their June activities while also getting rewarded for their efforts.
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Richmond, BC
Hay River, NT
Salisbury, NB
Red Deer, AB
North Grenville, ON