LEADING TOGETHER: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ADVANCING EQUITABLE CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Where local governments and communities meet to lead together for a just and resilient future.
A Community Climate Transitions Cohort
June 2026 - October 2026
JOIN US TO ACCELERATE EQUITABLE CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Leading Together: Local Governments Advancing Equitable Climate Resilience is a unique, action-oriented learning cohort designed for municipalities and Indigenous rights holders across Canada who are ready to move from climate planning to implementation. Unlike traditional learning programs, Leading Together builds your capacity to lead from within, bridging governance gaps, embedding equity, and advancing real-world, community-driven adaptation.
By participating, cohort members will have access to deep, practice-based support through interactive workshops, one-on-one coaching, peer learning circles, tools and resources to deepen their local collaboration and impact.
The cohort is being delivered by the Tamarack Institute with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund and the Government of Canada.
What’s on this page
What Makes Leading Together Unique
Leading Together blends systems change, relationship-based governance, and hands-on implementation, all tailored to the complex realities of local governments.
Municipalities and Local Governments are not lacking climate plans — they face a deeper challenge: how to turn plans into action that is equitable, trusted, and built to last.
Phase one of Leading Together revealed that the biggest barriers are not technical — they are relational, institutional, and systemic.
Progress often stalls when organizations are not aligned, equity is not embedded, trust is fragile, systems remain siloed, and impact is not communicated in ways that build public will.
But we also saw what works:
When power is shared, lived experience is centered, and relationships are strong — climate action accelerates.
We learned that internal readiness drives external success, leadership that addresses power unlocks implementation, trust-based partnerships create ownership, cross-sector collaboration enables real solutions, and storytelling sustains momentum.
This is the shift we are building on:
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From plans to implementation
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From consultation to co-creation
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From silos to coordinated systems
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From technical solutions to community-rooted action
Phase two is designed to support this next step. Because climate action rooted in community doesn’t just deliver results. it builds trust, strengthens belonging, and transforms systems for the long term.
What You’ll Achieve
This is more than a learning journey - it's a space to move your work forward.
By the end of this cohort, you will:
- Move from plan to implementation: Launch or accelerate a climate initiative that is grounded in equity, lived experience, and community ownership.
- Lead with confidence in complex environments: Navigate internal dynamics and political realities with clarity and influence.
- Turn equity into practice: Embed equity into governance, decision-making, engagement, and evaluation — not as an add-on, but as a driver of effective outcomes.
- Build lasting partnerships: Strengthen relationships with Indigenous rights holders, communities, and partners.
- Mobilize cross-sector action: Break down silos and align efforts across systems.
- Build public support and momentum: Communicate impact through compelling stories and shared metrics that resonate with communities, decision-makers, and funders.
Co-Creating Community Climate Risk Tools
Launching a Cross-Sector Wildfire Resilience Table
In Williams Lake, BC, the city partners with T’exelc (Williams Lake First Nation), the BC Wildfire Service, and Scout Island Nature Centre to co-create a wildfire mitigation plan. The initiative includes community workshops, cultural and controlled burns, and education on Indigenous fire stewardship practices.
Strengthening Social Resilience Networks
Mobilizing Youth for Nature-Based Coastal Protection
In Shediac, New Brunswick, the town works with EcoShediac, the local Francophone school board, and Université de Moncton to engage students in restoring dunes and planting coastal vegetation to prevent erosion. Youth participate in field days and storytelling campaigns, building pride and ownership in their role as climate leaders.
Embedding Equity in Local Climate Governance
In Brantford, Ontario, the City Council revises its Climate Change Task Force structure to include seats for equity-denied groups and Six Nations of the Grand River representatives. Working with Brantford Native Housing and the Grand River Community Health Centre, they co-develop engagement strategies to ensure that marginalized voices guide adaptation priorities.
Through Leading Together, your team won’t just gain new knowledge, you’ll put that learning into practice by strengthening relationships, testing ideas, and taking measurable steps toward climate equity and resilience.
What to Expect from the Learning Journey
Themes We’ll Explore Together
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Implementation Barriers: How to identify, prioritize, and overcome local challenges to climate adaptation and resilience;
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Equity in Practice: How to embed equity and amplify Indigenous knowledges from the outset through intentional co-leadership and engagement;
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Collaborative Leadership: How to support shared governance and collective ownership across diverse partners and lead by stepping back;
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Data & Storytelling: How to leverage data and narratives to communicate impact, gain support, and influence systems;
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Resilience Through Relationships: How to build durable, trust-based partnerships that go beyond consultation toward co-design.
May–June 2026
Onboarding & Orientation
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Meet your peers and set collective intentions.
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Map your local project focus.
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Complete the Climate Readiness Assessment Tool.
June 2026
Cohort Session #1: Inclusive Engagement & Collaborative Leadership (Part 1)
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Conduct Equity, Accessibility, and Reconciliation (EAR) audits to assess organizational readiness and systemic barriers.
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Apply an equity lens to shape policies, staff training, and communication.
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Facilitate priority-setting exercises to identify areas for shifting culture and leadership practices.
July 2026
Cohort Session #2: Inclusive Engagement & Collaborative Leadership (Part 2)
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Strengthen internal capacity for leading equity-informed climate initiatives.
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Learn how to frame equity goals to gain buy-in from the council and senior management.
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Begin developing long-term strategies for institutional change and cross-departmental alignment.
August 2026
Cohort Session #3: Embedding Equity and Lived Experience in Adaptation Planning
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Identify ways to build external relationships with equity-deserving groups.
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Apply principles of reciprocity and asset-based community development (ABCD).
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Use co-design and co-leadership to build joint ownership of climate initiatives.
September 2026
Optional Peer Input Process Session
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Engage in collaborative problem-solving with other cohort members.
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Co-design practice-informed solutions to immediate implementation challenges.
September 2026
Cohort Session #4: Cross-Sector Partnerships for Implementation Readiness & Resilience Progress Milestone
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Map opportunities for shared implementation with key partners.
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Apply distributed leadership to support inclusive and sustainable partnerships.
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Review case studies connecting climate action with housing, health, and economic inclusion.
October 2026
Cohort Session #5: Building Public Support Through Stories of Collaboration
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Learn to tell stories of collective impact that highlight equity and partnership.
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Use inclusive messaging and data storytelling to build public trust.
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Create accessible tools such as story-based dashboards and co-authored reports.
1. You’re a staff member of a local government or local governance system, which can include municipalities, First Nations, Métis or Inuit governance structures, counties, townships, and more across what we now call Canada.
2. You’re ready to take action on local climate resilience. Your team is working or planning to work on practical projects or strategies that build community resilience to climate change.
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responding to climate risks and disasters;
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improving emergency response;
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strengthening infrastructure and asset management;
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protecting health, ecosystems or biodiversity;
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Stewardship of the natural environment and biodiversity;
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supporting workforce or industry transitions; or
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engaging residents in climate and emergency efforts.
3. You can name a local challenge(s) or implementation barrier(s) that you wish to address through the cohort journey.
For guidance on what we mean by "implementation barrier," please refer to the Glossary section.
4. You’re committed to centring climate equity in your adaptation and resilience work.
For guidance on what we mean by "climate equity," please refer to the Glossary section.
5. You have the local capacity and commitment to participate in the cohort journey.
What do we mean by “local capacity and commitment”?
After three years of hosting cohorts, we have learned that one of the difficulties of participating is having the capacity to fully participate and make the most of the experience. We strongly encourage those applying to consider their resources to participate in a monthly journey and whether the timing is right for them.
Click the dropdown for each criterion to see how we define each of the requirements. If you are still unsure about meeting any of these, please reach out to Stephen Ngonain at stephen@tamarackcommunity.ca (EN/FR) to discuss.
Commitment at a Glance
Expect to engage in the following:
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Five 2-hour Community of Practice (CoP) calls
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One optional 1-hour peer input session
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3 coaching sessions over the cohort
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A minimum of one hour of monthly reading materials (with options to go deeper)
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Regular opportunities to connect with and check-in in with your Tamarack Lead
Selection Timeline
Launch call for applications: March 25, 2026
Info/Q&A session: May 07, 2026
Application deadline: May 18, 2026
Acceptance Notifications: May 29, 2026
Info/Q&A Session Sign-up
Curious about the Cohort?
Join our upcoming info/Q&A session to learn more about the application process, cohort structure, and how this journey can support your climate adaptation goals.
Please complete the info/Q&A session sign-up form.
Cohort Language and Accessibility
The primary language of delivery of the cohort sessions and communications will be English. However, to support broader access:
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Some cohort materials, including the landing page and application form, will be made available in both English and French.
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French-speaking participants will have the option to receive coaching in French, supported by Tamarack’s bilingual coaching team.
If you have specific language needs or questions about participation, please reach out to Stephen Ngonain at stephen@tamarackcommunity.ca (EN/FR) to discuss.
Ready to Lead Together?
Apply by May 18, 2026, to join a national movement of local leaders creating just and resilient futures for their communities.
About Tamarack Membership
To join Leading Together, participants must currently be or become a Tamarack member. Check out more information on Tamarack’s membership tiers, perks, and costs.
Please note that Tamarack members include teams, collaboratives, and organizations that are members of any of our Networks for Change, such as Climate Transitions, Ending Poverty, Building Belonging, and Youth Futures.
Please indicate in your application whether you are currently a Tamarack member or would like to become one. For existing Tamarack members at the Everything Tier, the cohort will not add any additional costs to your Tamarack membership. Members at the Essential Tier may be required to pay an extra fee to participate. Support is available through CCT’s Community Contributions Fund for those who may face financial barriers to participating.
If you have questions about memberships or costs associated with the cohort, please get in touch with Stephen Ngonain at stephen@tamarackcommunity.ca (EN/FR).
“The resources, teaching, networking, coaching sessions, and incredibly sensitive and personal responsiveness of Tamarack (not to mention the world-class resources) have helped us gain confidence and endurance… Being part of the Tamarack network and focusing on what is possible has kept me positive and proactive.”
CCT Member
“Participation in the Community Climate Transitions Cohort significantly increased our knowledge and toolbox of information for Town staff to draw upon as we move through the process of developing a (community-wide) Climate Change Action Plan. The program also strengthened an existing relationship between the Town and a local climate change volunteer organization.”
CCT Member
“CCT provided frameworks and networking opportunities that were instrumental in fostering our community's collaborative relationships. The CCT Network's structured approach to shared learning and its emphasis on collective impact were particularly beneficial.”
CCT Member
Learn More About Past Cohorts
Since 2024, we have had 73 communities participate in our English- and French-language cohorts. Read our three-year impact report and the linked blog posts here (2022, 2023, and 2024) to learn more about the communities and our accomplishments together.
Climate adaptation
Climate adaptation refers to the action of adjusting to the current and/or expected impacts of climate change. It refers to making changes to processes, practices, and structures that will help limit harm posed by a changing climate. Actions can include both those that are short- and long-term and incremental and transformative. This definition was adapted in part from the UNFCCC and Grantham Research Institute.
Climate resilience
Climate resilience refers to the actual capacity to prepare for and recover from the current and/or expected impacts of climate change. Resilience is more associated with a worldview that advocates for system-wide changes and long-term capability-building to enhance the ability to absorb changes and recover from their impacts. This definition was adapted in part from the UNFCCC and Grantham Research Institute.
Climate equity
Collaborative
A group of partners in a community (e.g., municipality, community groups and non-profits, individuals with lived/living experience, businesses, etc.) working together towards a common goal.
Implementation barrier
A challenge or setback that hinders local adaptation or resilience actions or projects from seeing progress. While barriers can vary across contexts and projects, there are many common barriers such as human resources, financing, and governance. For more details on common implementation barriers, see Table 4 in section 2.6 of Canada in a Changing Climate: Synthesis Report.
Contact the Team
Have questions about the cohort? Please reach out to Please reach out to Stephen Ngonain at stephen@tamarackcommunity.ca (EN/FR).
COHORT APPLICATION FORM
Thank you for your interest in applying to the 2026 Leading Together: Local Governments Advancing Equitable Climate Resilience cohort. This learning journey supports municipalities and Indigenous rights holders that are ready to implement local climate adaptation initiatives, deepen inclusive partnerships, and advance equity-centred, systems-based solutions.
Before completing this form, we recommend drafting your answers in a separate document, as the form may not retain responses if the page refreshes.
Privacy Policy: The Tamarack Institute is committed to the integrity and safeguarding of personal data. We will not share your data with third parties outside of Tamarack. The information you share with us is needed to identify you, consider your application for the 2026 cohort, verify the information provided in your application, communicate the outcome of your application, and, if you are successful, commence the onboarding process.
For additional information or assistance filling this application form in English/French, please get in touch with Stephen Ngonain at stephen@tamarackcommunity.ca.