Climate Action Catalyst
Do you want to volunteer and take action for your community and for your future?
Through Youth Challenge International’s Innovate MY Future program, GTHA youth, aged 16-24, collaborate in local teams to tackle climate issues and design community-based projects to make an impact.
Join us to become a Climate Action Catalyst to build skills, network and take climate action in your community!
Climate Action Catalyst volunteers receive training and support from YCI to design and implement a climate action project in their communities and gain resume-building skills and experience along the way. They also gain exclusive access to training, mentorship and grant funding as well as the opportunity to apply for technology devices to support virtual participation in training sessions and to collaborate with teams.
What you’ll do:
- Join YCI’s Climate Action Network: You’ll join YCI’s growing network of 300+ youth and change-makers taking climate action across the GTHA to learn with and support each other to amplify impact in your communities.
- Access exclusive learning and support resources: Gain skills through experiential climate and design-thinking training and workshops and be eligible for accessibility support, grant funding and more.
- Take tangible action on climate change: You’ll join a local team of Climate Action Catalysts to design, plan and execute a climate action project that addresses climate issues facing your community now.
- Meet and collaborate with professionals in the climate change sector: Your team will be matched with a partner organization who will pose a local climate issue for your project to address and you will be provided ongoing coaching and mentorship throughout the program.
- Jumpstart your career: Climate Action Catalysts build market-ready skills, network with influential partners, municipalities and local youth throughout your experience, and receive a letter of recommendation at the completion of the program.
You’ll fit right in if you:
- Are dedicated and dependable with availability on weeknights to actively volunteer with a local team through virtual platforms.
- Have strong digital savviness and virtual collaboration skills with an interest in deepening these skills.
- Are curious about systems change, design-thinking and climate action, and you’re hungry to learn more about how you can make a positive impact in your community.
- Possess a passion for climate action and desire to learn from local experts on climate change policy development, advocacy and action planning.
- Are a highly organized and motivated self-starter with experience and/or strong interest in civic engagement on social and/or environmental issues.
- Have strong attention to detail, organizational planning, time management and multi-tasking abilities and desire to further enhance these skills.
- Are able to work well with a team and possess strong interpersonal skills.
The details and time commitment:
- This is an 8-month volunteer program and volunteers contribute 120 volunteer hours in total, which is approximately 4 hours of volunteer time each week from July to February, to attend trainings and coaching meetings and to collaborate with YCI, your local partner and your team.
- The program will run virtually for the foreseeable future. We will meet every Tuesday evening 5:30-7:30 in July and August, and then every other Tuesday from September – February.
Eligibility:
- You’re 16-24 years old.
- You live in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) and are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.
- You want to build skills and become a climate action advocate in your community.
- You can commit to:
- Volunteering approx. 4 hours per week from July- February and attend regular virtual trainings and meetings.
- Completing a climate action project in collaboration with a team and attend a final event in February 2022.
How to apply:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Successful applicants will be contacted within two weeks to schedule an interview. Submit early and don’t miss the chance to participate in this unique experience!
NEW: Applicants have the option to apply as a Team. If applying as a Team, please indicate this in your application.
Innovate MY Future is generously funded by the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps program.
