About Women4Climate Toronto
The Women4Climate Toronto Mentorship Program empowers and supports female climate leaders who are working to develop and implement innovative solutions to address the climate emergency in Toronto.
Ten to 12 women will be selected to join Toronto’s 2024 cohort of the Women4Climate Toronto Mentorship Program. Through a combination of mentoring, training and networking opportunities, participants will be provided with the resources and supports necessary to take their climate-related project, product or business start-up to the next level. Upon successful completion of the mentorship program, participants will receive a $500 honorarium to help advance their climate action initiative.
Following the mentorship program, the City of Toronto and its partners will host a pitch competition that will recognize the top three climate-related projects with the greatest potential to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable and resilient urban future in Toronto. The women with the top three projects will receive a cash award and additional support to advance their work. The winner will receive $20,000 and two runners-up will each receive $5,000.
Applications open: October 30, 2023
Applications close: November 20, 2023
Application screening and candidate interviews: November 21, 2023 – December 15, 2023
Mentoring, training and networking: January 2024 – May 2024
Pitch competition: June 2024
Over the course of six months, participants will benefit from a combination of mentoring, training and networking opportunities. As a participant, you will:
Following the mentorship program, the City of Toronto and its partners will host a pitch competition where the women with the top three projects will receive a cash award and additional support to advance their work. The winner will be awarded $20,000 and two runner-up projects will receive $5,000 each.
Toronto’s population is made up of diverse communities and groups. The City of Toronto values the contributions made by all residents and is committed to its motto, “Diversity Our Strength”.
The City of Toronto recognizes the barriers presented by discrimination and the disadvantages faced by equity-deserving groups and vulnerable populations. In particular, the City recognizes the unique status and cultural diversity of Indigenous communities and their right to self-determination.
Women4ClimateTO acknowledges the importance of intersectionality and encourages applications from female-identifying and two-spirited applicants of diverse cultures, races, religions and abilities.
Support the achievement of at least one of the targets or goals identified in these key City strategies*:
*Additional City strategies, plans and initiatives that may contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and/or improvement of Toronto’s resilience include: Biodiversity Strategy; City Asset Management; City Wide Real Estate Transformation; Electric Vehicle Strategy; Green Roof Bylaw; Long-term Waste Management Strategy; Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy, Parkland Strategy; Pollinator Protection Strategy; Ravine Strategy; Strategic Forest Management Plan; Toronto Green Standard; and Wet Weather Flow Master Plan.
All eligible applications will be reviewed by a jury panel.
Apply to the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program by completing an online application form.
Applications for the 2024 Women4ClimateTO Mentorship program have now closed.
Applying to the Women4Climate Toronto Mentorship Program Competition (the “Competition”) constitutes your acceptance of these Competition Rules.
Monday November 20, 2023: Deadline to submit completed online application form. Applications must be submitted online. Please contact Jessica Chow at Jessica.Chow@toronto.ca for accessibility accommodations. No mail, emailed, or hand-delivered applications will be accepted unless arranged in advance. Only complete applications will be considered.
November 21 – December 5, 2023: Applications will be reviewed and screened.
December 6 – 10, 2023: Interviews of shortlisted candidates.
December 15, 2023: Notification of successful candidates.
The week of January 22, 2024: Official activities of the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program begin.
2024 Dates | Activity |
Week of Jan 22 | Orientation & Climate Knowledge Lab Workshop (In-person) |
Jan 27 – Feb 19 | Mentorship Meetings: Climate Mentor (Virtual) |
Week of Feb 20 | Business & Finance Knowledge Lab Workshop (In-person) |
Feb 26 – Mar 24 | Mentorship Meetings: Business & Finance Mentor (Virtual) |
Mar 7 or 8 | Networking Event: International Women’s Day (In-person) |
Week of Mar 25 | Marketing & Communications Knowledge Lab Workshop (Virtual) |
Mar 29 – Apr 29 | Mentorship Meetings: Marketing & Communications Mentor (Virtual) |
Apr 18 or 19 | Networking Event: Earth Day (In-person) |
Week of May 13 | Pitch Preparation Knowledge Lab Workshop (In-person) |
June 8 – 9 | Pitch Competition (Format to be determined) |
June 13 | Celebration Event (In-person) |
Learn more about these emerging climate leaders and their innovative projects.
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Winner Pahk Solutions |
Runner-up Splash on Earth |
Runner-up The Wasteland Plan Foundation |
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Carbon Conversations TO |
Earth Analytics |
Toronto Home Retrofits |
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Oceanic Impact |
Al-enabled Urban Insect Farms |
Seedy Farm |
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#WhereDoesYourRainGo Poster/Essay Contest |
Building Residents Capacity for Textile Waste Reduction |
Women4ClimateTO mentors are professionals from the public and private sector with expertise in a variety of different fields including climate action, business, finance, marketing and communications.
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Mary Cochrane Associate Director, Demand Generation EY Canada |
Sunali Swaminathan Senior Brand and Marketing Manager, Evergreen |
Selina Young Indigenous Affairs Office, City of Toronto |
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Ohemaa Boateng Executive Director, Black Creek Community Farm |
Giselle De Grandis Manager, Business Development and Market Strategy, Hydro One |
Amber Nasrulla Communications Advisor, Strategic Communications, City of Toronto |
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Shatha Qaqish-Clavering Director, Strategy and Operations, Climate Positive Energy Initiatives, University of Toronto |
Nancy Ruscica Manager, Outreach and Engagement, Environment and Climate, City of Toronto |
Susana Vaz Manager, Business Growth Services, Economic Development and Culture, City of Toronto |
Learn about our 2022 Women4Climate Toronto mentees and their projects below:
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Jen Cerullo Sustainable Athletic Events with the Toronto Waterfront Marathon |
Simran Bahia Waste Hackers |
Learn about our 2021 Women4Climate Toronto mentees and their projects below:
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Winner STIL Solutions, Sustainability through an Inclusive Lens |
Improving Waste Diversion Rates at Toronto’s Events |
Fill Up! |
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Westra Project |
League for Green Leaders |
Hydro Intelligence |
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TO Refillery Mobile |
Inwit |
ANEW |
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The Bike Brigade |
Linked |
Bee Open Spaces
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