Neighbouring For Climate

 In 2022, the program was developed through a series of co-design community workshops with neighbourhood connectors and residents. This process took an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach to reflect the needs and opportunities of Edmonton neighbourhoods. To test the newly designed program, the project team ran a pilot process with previous workshop participants and new interested individuals through the summer of 2023.

Feedback collected throughout the pilot was used to refine the toolkit and program. The program officially launched in spring 2024, distributing toolkits and signing up new Climate Connectors in the community at large.

Yes - developed through community engagement, these principles guide the tone and approach of the Neighbouring for Climate program, ensuring it reflects a shared vision to support a diverse range of Edmontonians.

Action Focused: Focus on “things to do” rather than only climate change education.
Easy and Tangible: Help neighbours tackle simple, achievable changes together.
Inclusive and Accessible: Include actions that anyone can do, regardless of age, ability, or resources available.
Shareable: Create a program that neighbours can use together and spread to others.
Celebrated: Find ways to spotlight the actions neighbours are taking together on an ongoing basis.
Beyond Climate: Highlight benefits and use language that sparks interest beyond just climate action.

Climate Connectors are people who have signed up to receive a Neighbouring for Climate toolkit. These are the people in the community who bring their neighbours together and/or instigate the use of the toolkit.

There is no cost to joining the program. You will receive one of our toolkits for free. We welcome everybody. We encourage folks from all backgrounds, ages and abilities. 

Becoming a Climate Connector is relatively easy: Submit the Register to become a Climate Connector form.

Please email us at changeforclimate@edmonton.ca

This is flexible: the program is designed to accommodate however much time you have to give. Once you initiate the program in your neighbourhood, it may take more time to make connections, review the contents of the toolkit, and get started on actions.

You may find a few keen neighbours to help out. If everyone gives a bit of time, that can amount to a lot of time. Each action card includes the level of effort required: 1=low; 2=mid and 3=high effort. But the cards do not include time estimates for that activity.

Check out the Participating Neighbourhoods Map. This shows which communities currently have an active Climate Connector.

We recommend reaching out to your community league to explore opportunities for collaboration. Here are suggestions on how you can proceed:

Contact Your Community League 

Reach out to your community league and inquire if they have a sustainability coordinator or a similar role or committee dedicated to environmental initiatives. They may already be aware of the Neighbouring for Climate program and keen to work with you on this.

Share Program Information

If your community league is not yet familiar with the Neighbouring for Climate program, we encourage you to share the program details with them. Direct them to our website where they can find comprehensive information about the program and its objectives.

Encourage Them to Get in Touch 

Invite your community league to contact us directly. They can reach out to us via email at changeforclimate@edmonton.ca, register on the website to request the toolkit, or co-host a program information session with us.

Yes. You can find information on our program, as well as other climate-related information at @YEGClimate on Facebook.

Depending on the action you are considering, a grant may be available. View Grants and Funding Supports on the City website. Visit the Alberta Ecotrust website for another source of funding, especially for larger projects.