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Climate Action Fellowship: A Leadership Cohort

Do you want to connect with the Burnaby community? 

Have you been impacted by climate change and want to take action? 

Do you want to collaborate with others on solutions to the climate crisis? 

Are you curious about how the City of Burnaby is addressing the climate emergency? 

Are you ready to centre equity and prioritise systems change in your approach to climate action?

If so, you could be our next Climate Action Fellow!

What is the Climate Action Fellowship?

Urban Resilient Futures Burnaby (URF) puts people at the centre of climate action. Stewarded by Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in partnership with the City of Burnaby and Vancity, the initiative is working with Burnaby residents and stakeholders to accelerate a just transition to a resilient, low- carbon future.

The Urban Resilient Futures Initiative is launching the inaugural Climate Action Fellowship which will co-power Burnaby residents and institutional leads to become climate champions in their communities. The Fellowship is a 12-week cohort of Burnaby residents, agencies and climate-leading organizations who will collectively catalyze climate action, including creating greater cohesion and collaboration across organizations, institutions and groups most impacted by climate change.

By encouraging residents to take actions together in groups, projects can also enable participants to build social capital, explore what climate action means to their personal identity and make connections between climate and other community priorities such as health, equity and community. This type of group-based action is more likely to sustain progress over the long-term because it is rooted in community aspirations and relationships.

Why Apply?

By participating in the Climate Action Fellowship cohort, you will become a Climate Action Fellow and:

  • Be a part of a cohort-based learning experience with other passionate change leaders

  • Connect to a robust climate network in Burnaby championing climate action 

  • Engage in multi-modal learning opportunities through thought-leader sessions, field trips, festivals and hands-on collaboration

  • Deepen relationships with the City of Burnaby and other values-aligned organisations who are catalysing climate action in the Lower Mainland

  • Work towards a capstone project and have potential access to funding

  • Unlearn and relearn together ways to take an equity-centred and systems change view to diversify approaches to climate action

Application Deadline (CLOSED)

If this sounds like an opportunity you have been waiting for, apply by Monday, April 3, 2023. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis so apply now.

Note: 

  • Applicants may receive a call from the intake team in the event we have questions regarding your application

  • Applicants will be notified either way by Thursday, April 7, 2023

Key dates and locations

Dates: 

  • Virtual kick-off - Thursday, April 13 (60 min)

  • Week 1 - Thursday, April 20 - 4-7 PM 

  • Week 2 - Thursday, April 27 - 4-7 PM 

  • Optional field trip - Saturday, April 29 - Ecological Grief Symposium 

  • Week 3 - Thursday, May 4 - 4-7 PM

  • Optional field trip - Friday, May 5 - Sunday, May 7 - Burnaby Festival of Learning

  • Week 4 - Thursday, May 11 - 4-7 PM 

  • Week 5 - Thursday, May 18 - 4-7 PM

  • Week 6 - Thursday, May 25 - 4-7 PM

  • Week 7 - Thursday, June 1 - 4-7PM

  • Week 8 - Thursday, June 8 - 4-7 PM

  • Week 9 - Thursday, June 15 - 4-7 PM

  • Week 10 - Thursday, June 22 - 4-7 PM

  • Showcase - Thursday, June 29

Locations:

  • Weekly sessions will be hosted in person at a centralised location in Burnaby with close proximity to transit lines
  • Final address will be provided at least one week before the cohort begins

Field Trips:

  • Field trips and festival will depend on the host location and will be confirmed once the cohort is finalised

FAQ

How do I apply?

Applications are now closed.

I don’t live or work in Burnaby, can I still participate?

We recognize that municipal borders are a convention of colonial administrations. We welcome applications from anyone who has a strong connection to the land currently known as Burnaby or the communities that exist on the land.

How much does it cost?

There is no fee associated with the program as it is generously funded by our partners, Vancity and the City of Burnaby.

Do I have to attend all sessions?

We ask all participants to attend a minimum of 8 weekly sessions and the showcase in order to successfully complete the Climate Fellows Program and receive their certificate of completion.

What is expected of participants?

Participation, open communication, respect, and kindness. As we kick off the program, we will be co-creating a set of community agreements with the cohort.

What is the profile of the ideal participant?

  • Interested in collaborating and connecting with other residents of Burnaby
  • Curious/concerned about the climate emergency and its impacts 
  • Interested in pursuing a climate action project within your community
  • Keen to learn about the many aspects of climate action including climate science, climate justice, engagement, facilitation and community building

Will I receive honoraria? / What type of financial support is available?

To make this program accessible, we have a nominal budget to help cover costs (e.g. transportation, childcare, etc.). If you require support to participate, please specify this on your application.

What does a typical weekly session look like?

Weekly sessions run 4 - 7 PM, excluding field trips which may happen outside of those hours:

  • Welcome and introduction to group and/or facilitator
  • Facilitated overview
  • Activity
  • Debrief/Q&A/reflection period
  • Project work with staff/speakers/mentors
  • Close

What are the program dates?

Please refer to the key dates and locations above.

Will programming be in person or will there be a hybrid model as well?

Weekly sessions and field trips will be in person, aside from the one-hour virtual kick-off. 

How much time will I spend working on the program? 

We ask all participants to attend a minimum of eight weekly sessions and the showcase in order to successfully complete the Climate Fellows Program and receive their certificate of completion. Sessions are three hours weekly on Thursdays. Project work will vary week to week, but participants should expect to spend roughly two to four hours outside session time.

If you have questions regarding the fellowship, please contact: Melvin Singh (melvins@sfu.ca) and/or Noni Nabors (nnabors@sfu.ca).

Partner Organizations