Do you want to work with others in your area to take action on climate change? Are you keen to reach as many different people and groups as possible, and together have the most impact?  This program is for you! 

Yarra Council is partnering with Darebin and Moreland Councils to offer a nine session program to support people across our cities to work together to take effective action on climate change.

About the program

We believe that climate action is for everyone and comes in many forms including: campaigns, advocacy, community projects, conversations and more.

Whether you’ve been engaged with climate or environmental issues for a long time, or if you’re new, this program is for you if you’re wanting to:

• Deepen your level of climate action, wherever you are at
• Consider, or reconnect with, how you can take climate action in ways that suit your unique skills, experience, networks and interests
• Develop new skills to help your work have the most impact
• Use your existing networks, and/or develop new ones, to extend your reach and impact
• Meet and work with others in your community who are passionate about climate action 

What you’ll get from the program 

The Community Skills for Climate Action program will be led by experienced facilitators with experts brought in for various sessions. Participants will:

• Build strong relationships with people across our cities who are committed to taking climate action
• Hear from others who are active in climate action 
• Explore what collective local action and advocacy can look like in our cities, and how to reach out within and beyond your networks
• Gain skills to plan and run effective campaigns, use social media and other online tools to reach people from a range of backgrounds, and ensure your actions have the most impact
• Explore working effectively with others, sharing the load and self-care

Up to 75 people will be able to take part in the program — 25 from each Council area. 

Who should apply? 

• We’re seeking applications from enthusiastic people who:
• Live, work, study or are involved in community groups/organisations in our cities
• Are over 15 years old
• Are committed to take action on climate change throughout and after the program 
• Are able to attend all nine sessions. 

We value diversity and particularly encourage applications from people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, and from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities.

What’s the commitment?

The nine-week program will run on the following Thursday evenings from 7 - 9pm, between May and September (excluding school holidays): 

Session 1: 6 May 
Session 2: 20 May 
Session 3: 3 June 
Session 4: 17 June 
Session 5: 29 July 
Session 6: 5 August 
Session 7: 19 August 
Session 8: 2 September
Session 9: 16 September    

We ask that applicants commit to attending all nine sessions, which will be a mix of face-to-face and online delivery. The first session will be face-to-face (subject to COVID-19 restrictions). We understand some people may like to attend half the sessions with another person in their community group attending the rest, to help share the learnings. If you would prefer a split arrangement, please submit a joint application advising of the preferred split and including the other person’s name and contact details in Question 7.

How do I apply?

Applications for the 2021 program are now open. Please register your Expression of Interest by Sunday 18 April 2021.

Applicants will be advised whether they are successful in late April.

Apply now

Climate emergency

The Cities of Darebin, Yarra and Moreland have declared a climate emergency. This initiative is part of the cities’ work to mobilise the community in response to the climate crisis we face, and delivers on a commitment in Yarra Council's Climate Emergency Plan.

Find out more 

If you have any queries, please contact Samantha Green by emailing [email protected] or call 9205 5555.

Please also get in touch if you need an alternative way to apply other than using the online form.