As our initiative grew, so did the recognition that these values—identity, empathy, reflection, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding—were urgently needed right here at home.
Originally launched in 2020 as a global youth initiative focused on creative skill-building, inclusive leadership, and the transformative power of cultural storytelling, GELP has now reached over 35,000 youth across 25 countries through leadership summits, arts-based residencies, and cross-cultural learning experiences.
We don’t simply deliver content. We co-create meaningful, expressive experiences through art, dialogue, and celebration—supporting youth as they connect to themselves, to one another, and to the communities they serve.
At the GELP, we design programs that cultivate communication, collaboration, and cultural reflection, using the arts as a bridge for learning and connection. Through initiatives such as storytelling circles, newcomer-led mural projects, spoken word showcases, and digital reflection platforms, we create opportunities for youth to explore who they are, where they come from, and how they can lead with purpose. Every program—whether a Campus Chapter, Cultural Residency, Art-Integrated Leadership Camp, or the Global Virtual Summit—is rooted in creative practice, personal growth, and public engagement. Together, these initiatives empower young people to build leadership skills, strengthen their cultural identity, and connect meaningfully with their communities.We don’t simply deliver content. We co-create meaningful, expressive experiences through art, dialogue, and celebration—supporting youth as they connect to themselves, to one another, and to the communities they serve.
The GELP Foundation offers a range of programs designed to be free, inclusive, and community-centered, with a focus on removing barriers for Indigenous, racialized, and newcomer youth. Through Campus Chapters, we engage students at post-secondary institutions across British Columbia in leadership activities and cultural exploration. Our Cultural Residencies partner with Indigenous Friendship Centres, libraries, and cultural organizations to deliver community-led art initiatives that celebrate identity and storytelling. The Art-Integrated Leadership Camps offer immersive experiences where youth develop leadership skills through creative learning and self-expression. We also host the Global Virtual Summit, connecting young leaders around the world through online workshops focused on storytelling, leadership, and cultural exchange. Finally, through GELP Skool, our digital storytelling platform, youth can share their art, reflections, and leadership journeys with a wider audience, building a community grounded in creativity and connection.
The GELPÂ Foundation is registered as a not-for-profit society with the British Columbia Registrar of Societies and Corporations Canada under the Canada not-for-profit Corporations Act.
GELP’s goal is to promote leadership development and to equip global leaders with the tools to create change and impact within their communities.
