Canadians passionate about change to improve the world around them will now have the means to put their ideas into action with the arrival in Canada of the Pepsi Refresh Project. In the year ahead, Pepsi will give away more than $1 million dollars to help fund Canadians’ ideas for moving the world forward in a positive way.

Here’s how it will work: Canadians (individuals or organizations) can visit www.refresheverything.ca to learn more about the program and to download a Submission Toolkit. Then, on June 1, they can submit their idea for a grant in one of six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighbourhoods and Education. Ideas must be beneficial, achievable, constructive and “shovel-ready”. On July 1, voting opens on the site – meaning that Canadians, not Pepsi, get to decide who has the best ideas and who gets the grants.

Every other month, 10 grants will be awarded to the ideas that secure the most votes from Canadians. $200,000 in grants is available every other month as follows: one $100,000 grant; two $25,000 grants; three $10,000 grants; and four $5,000 grants.

To implement the project, Pepsi is partnering with two expert organizations dedicated to making a positive difference in the world: GOOD, a leading platform for thought and action revolving around pushing the world forward; and Global Giving, an online marketplace that connects people who have community and world-changing ideas with people who can support them. Additionally, Pepsi has assembled an external panel of innovative thinkers in social good to help guide the program. The Canadian Pepsi Refresh Advisory Board members are luminaries in their field, chosen for their track record of success and commitment to moving the world forward.