“Climate change is the overarching crisis of our time, providing both challenges and opportunities for us to tackle. The Climate Leadership Program (CLP) will build the capacity of participants to take leadership and initiate climate action in their personal lives and organizations in Alberta.

We are looking for 20 people who are on leadership pathways in organizations that do not necessarily have climate change as their core focus. For example, past program participants have had continuing roles in: education, health care, the private sector, Indigenous communities, government, the labour movement, the energy sector, cooperatives, not-for-profits that focus on newcomers, and so on. The retreat based program will run from March to July, 2019.

Over five weekends in Kananaskis, Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton the CLP participants will work with and learn from active Albertan climate leaders. One weekend will centre on land based learning, which will be without readily accessible shelter, and subject to changing weather and environmental conditions. Participants will learn about efforts to tackle climate change already taking place in Alberta, explore what other relevant jurisdictions are doing on this front, develop collaboration and action planning skills, and explore how they can use their professional and personal resources to incorporate climate as a lens to leverage positive solutions and collaboration to address climate change. At the conclusion of the program, participants will have developed a strategic plan for how their organization/sector can both support climate action by others and how they can bring a climate lens into their work to help advance action on climate change in Alberta. If you are someone whose goal is to recognize and take opportunities for climate action where possible, then this program may be for you!

The CLP is for people 25 and older, who have been active in their organization/sector for at least two years and who intend to continue to be involved there over the next 3-5 years. We strongly support the participation of people who identify as members of equity seeking communities, that include low income, queer, indigenous, newcomer disabled, people of colour, faith groups and many others. The land based learning weekend has been designed to be accessible to the mobility and comfort needs of all participants. Please mention any concerns about the land based learning, or any other parts of the program that will affect your participation when applying. There is a sliding scale fee, $1000 (professional development), $400 (employed), $200 (lower income) and fully funded scholarships, as appropriate. Arrangements for childcare are available to support participants’ individual situations.

We will be accepting applications as we receive them. Please apply before Feb. 25 while the program still has space.

If you’re asking yourself, “Should I apply for the Next Up Climate Leadership Program?” the Frequently Asked Questions for the Climate Leadership Program will answer many of your questions. It contains the cost, dates, locations, applicant criteria and more.”