MISSISSAUGA, ON - March 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Two post-secondary student teams have been named 2016 Scotiabank Youth Empowerment Challenge Regional Champions by this country's largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, and proud program supporter, Scotiabank.

The Scotiabank Youth Empowerment Challenge encourages post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that address the needs and opportunities facing youth. This brand new national challenge focuses on the education, learning skills and life-long success of youth (aged 25 and under) across Canada.

"Congratulations to Ryerson University and the University of Windsor and all of the teams for their incredible work on the Scotiabank Youth Empowerment Challenge. The commitment and creativity of these students is truly inspiring," said Terri Williams, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility at Scotiabank. "Scotiabank is proud to support the challenge as part of our commitment to building the skills of young Canadians. I want to wish the regional winners the best of luck in the national competition in Toronto."

The following Enactus student teams from Ryerson University and the University of Windsor stood out to the judges at the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition -- Central Canada on March 11 because of their dedication to empowering youth in their community:

Enactus Ryerson built a geodesic growing dome to help combat food security in Naujaat, Nunavut and created a curriculum based on financial literacy, business, horticulture and health to support sustainable greenhouse operations. Their project called Growing North has trained 214 youth with this curriculum and the team has launched a co-op program that already has a graduating student.

Enactus Windsor successfully piloted their entrepreneurial project, YouThrive, in an at-risk high school and empowered students to create jobs for themselves. Through 10 weeks of one-on-one consulting and education in financial literacy, marketing and budgeting, the team directly impacted 811 youth and generated $48,000 in revenue.

"These teams are making a real impact on the long-term sustainability of their communities by focusing on youth," said Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. "They are a perfect example of how Enactus' socially-conscious student leaders are building a better Canada."

These teams will now move on to the national level of competition taking place May 2-4 at the 2016 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto, Ontario.

ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, this country's largest student leadership development organization, is shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,650 entrepreneurial post-secondary students led 288 community empowerment projects and business ventures this past year in communities coast-to-coast. As a global network of 36 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.

About Scotiabank
Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities around the world.

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