Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions 2025

An icon of a hand holding a leaf. Text says Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions.

Update Dec. 6 2024: Applications to become a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions are now closed. We're looking forward to launching the program with a new cohort of champions in early 2025.

The City of Kingston is seeking local neighbourhood leaders to engage with residents on local environmental issues and inspire climate action. The Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions will inspire, motivate, and encourage other residents to undertake community-focused actions to support the City’s Climate Leadership Plan and climate adaptation and mitigation in our community.

Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions

Participants will receive training (in-person or virtual) through a series of webinars on climate change science, climate change communications, and climate action in Kingston. The training will follow the guidelines and principles set out in Kingston’s Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions Toolkit which all Champions will receive a copy of following their training. The aim of the Toolkit is to guide Champions in identifying specific Kingston Climate Leadership Plan goals their neighbourhood could target and develop a plan to reach these goals.

Climate Action Champions are required to commit approximately 50 hours per year (4-5 hours per month) toward climate outreach, project development, meetings with City staff and project execution.

The City of Kingston’s program will require participants to present their project’s deliverables, needed materials, their project evaluation plan, and a budget before receiving funding and entering into a funding agreement with the City. Participants will be eligible to receive a maximum of $2,000 per project.

Champions will meet with City staff monthly to discuss their neighbourhood projects and receive feedback and support.

As a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion, you will:

  • Engage your neighbours in discussions about environmental and climate-related topics and issues as well as lead constructive and meaningful conversations about the challenges of climate change and potential solutions.
  • Connect and inspire your neighbours to participate in your climate action project and reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Contribute to advancing the City’s Climate Leadership Plan and leading climate action in our community.

Program Eligibility

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Live in Kingston
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Able to commit at least 4 to 5 hours per month to climate outreach and attend monthly meetings with City staff
  • Able to work as part of a team and have a strong leadership capacity
  • Currently engaged in climate action work; or
  • Engaged in neighbourhood or local community work; or
  • A post-secondary student interested in climate action
  • Existing connections with neighbourhood networks/groups are an asset
  • Fluency in a non-English language is an asset

Applications from community leaders and residents from communities experiencing social, economic and other barriers, including people of colour, newcomers, LGBTQ2S+ persons, women, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities / disabled, will be given priority.

An icon of a hand holding a leaf. Text says Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions.

Update Dec. 6 2024: Applications to become a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions are now closed. We're looking forward to launching the program with a new cohort of champions in early 2025.

The City of Kingston is seeking local neighbourhood leaders to engage with residents on local environmental issues and inspire climate action. The Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions will inspire, motivate, and encourage other residents to undertake community-focused actions to support the City’s Climate Leadership Plan and climate adaptation and mitigation in our community.

Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions

Participants will receive training (in-person or virtual) through a series of webinars on climate change science, climate change communications, and climate action in Kingston. The training will follow the guidelines and principles set out in Kingston’s Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions Toolkit which all Champions will receive a copy of following their training. The aim of the Toolkit is to guide Champions in identifying specific Kingston Climate Leadership Plan goals their neighbourhood could target and develop a plan to reach these goals.

Climate Action Champions are required to commit approximately 50 hours per year (4-5 hours per month) toward climate outreach, project development, meetings with City staff and project execution.

The City of Kingston’s program will require participants to present their project’s deliverables, needed materials, their project evaluation plan, and a budget before receiving funding and entering into a funding agreement with the City. Participants will be eligible to receive a maximum of $2,000 per project.

Champions will meet with City staff monthly to discuss their neighbourhood projects and receive feedback and support.

As a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion, you will:

  • Engage your neighbours in discussions about environmental and climate-related topics and issues as well as lead constructive and meaningful conversations about the challenges of climate change and potential solutions.
  • Connect and inspire your neighbours to participate in your climate action project and reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Contribute to advancing the City’s Climate Leadership Plan and leading climate action in our community.

Program Eligibility

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Live in Kingston
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Able to commit at least 4 to 5 hours per month to climate outreach and attend monthly meetings with City staff
  • Able to work as part of a team and have a strong leadership capacity
  • Currently engaged in climate action work; or
  • Engaged in neighbourhood or local community work; or
  • A post-secondary student interested in climate action
  • Existing connections with neighbourhood networks/groups are an asset
  • Fluency in a non-English language is an asset

Applications from community leaders and residents from communities experiencing social, economic and other barriers, including people of colour, newcomers, LGBTQ2S+ persons, women, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities / disabled, will be given priority.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions - Application Form

    Thank you for your interest in becoming a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion.   

    Applications are open to adults (18 or over). Applications from individuals from communities experiencing social, economic and other barriers, including people of colour, newcomers, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, women, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities / disabled will be given equity in the application evaluation process. 

    The Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions program is designed to encourage local leaders to engage with residents and inspire climate action at the neighbourhood level. Champions will help to inspire, motivate, and encourage other residents to support the Climate Leadership Plan’s strategy and help achieve the help lead projects that contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation.  

    Participants will receive training through two sessions on climate change science and climate action in Kingston Neighbourhoods. After the training, participants will receive a Neighborhood Climate Action Champions Toolkit to help them engage their neighbours in discussions about climate change and develop innovative neighbourhood-focused climate action projects. Participants will be eligible to receive up to $2,000 in funding to support the implementation of their climate action projects. 

    Participants will meet with City staff monthly to discuss their neighbourhood projects and receive feedback and support.   

    Time commitment: Climate Action Champions are required to commit at least 50 hours (4-5 hours per month) toward climate outreach and project development and execution.   

    Please allow 10 to 15 minutes to complete this application.  

    If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions program or the application process, please contact ChangeForClimate@CityofKingston.ca. 

    Applications close Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. 

    If you require assistance or accommodation, kindly contact  ChangeForClimate@CityofKingston.ca or call 613-546-4291 ext. 1163 for assistance. 

    Notice of Collection: All information received will be compiled and considered by staff for use under the purposes of this site. Information will be collected and used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other relevant privacy legislation. All comments made on this site are available to the public and may form part of public records. 

Page last updated: 09 Dec 2024, 01:18 PM