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.
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, 2024
Applications close: November 20, 2024
Application screening and candidate interviews: November 21, 2024 – December 17, 2024
Mentoring, training and networking: January 2025 – June 2025
Pitch competition: July 2025
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.
Eligible candidates must:
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.
The following individuals are not eligible to apply:
Your project or start-up business must:
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.
Your project or start-up business must contribute to one or more of the following climate priorities:
All eligible applications will be reviewed by a jury panel.
Applications for the 2025 Women4ClimateTO Mentorship program are now open.
Submit your application online to participate as a Mentee or Mentor.
Applying to the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program Competition (the “Competition”) constitutes your acceptance of these Competition Rules. Rules may be subject to change.
Wednesday November 20, 2024: Deadline to submit completed online application form. Applications must be submitted online. Please contact women4climateto@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 6, 2024: Applications will be reviewed and screened.
December 7 – 11, 2024: Interviews of shortlisted candidates.
December 17, 2024: Notification of successful candidates.
The week of January 20, 2025: Official activities of the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program begin.
Applicants to the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program must be willing to commit to the following:
*Despite the information above, the provision of the $500 is at the sole discretion of the City and is subject to budget approval.
2024-2025 Dates | Activity |
---|---|
Oct 30, 2024 | Application launch – Small Business Forum |
Jan 23 | Orientation & Program Kick-off (In-person) |
Feb 6 | Climate Knowledge Lab Workshop (In-person) |
Feb 20 – Mar 23 | Mentorship Meetings: Climate Mentor (Virtual) |
Mar 6 | Networking Event: International Women’s Day (In-person) |
Mar 25 | Business & Finance Knowledge Lab Workshop (Virtual) |
Mar 31 – Apr 13 | Mentorship Meetings: Business & Finance Mentor (Virtual) |
Apr 15 | Marketing & Communications Knowledge Lab Workshop (In-person) |
April 21 – June 1 | Mentorship Meetings: Marketing & Communications Mentor (Virtual) |
April 22 | Networking Event: Earth Day (In-person) |
June 4 | Pitch Preparation Knowledge Lab Workshop (In-person) |
July12 – 13 | Pitch Competition (Format to be determined) |
July 15 | Celebration Event (In-person) |
Interested in becoming a Women4ClimateTO Mentor? Applications for the next cohort are now open.
Women4ClimateTO connects mentors from the public, private, and non-profit sector with mentees who are working to create a more sustainable future for Toronto. The fifth cohort of the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program will run from January to July 2025.
We are looking for women with expertise in the following fields to help mentor the next generation of climate leaders:
Mentor Commitment
Benefits of becoming a Mentor:
See what some of our past Mentors have to say:
“The Women4Climate program provided a great platform to connect with like-minded women who are not only interested in climate change and its many impacts on Toronto residents but also ready and willing to deal with it. Everyone brought ideas, energy and smarts, but more than that, a willingness to learn, share openly and support one another in achieving climate-related goals.”
Allison Daisley – Communicator and Founder, Daisley Communications, 2024 Mentor
“Being a W4CTO 2024 Mentor, coaching 5 incredible female climate action entrepreneurs, was a very rewarding and mind-opening experience, giving all of us an opportunity to benefit from each-others passion and expertise.”
Maria Shibaeva-Escarraga – Faculty, UofT and Independent Strategic Consultant, 2024 Mentor
Apply to be a Mentor by December 6, 2024.
Have any more questions? Contact us at women4climateto@toronto.ca
Launched in September 2023, the Women4ClimateTO Alumnae Network provides ongoing support to past participants of the Women4ClimateTO Mentorship Program.
The Alumnae Network aims to build an active, vibrant, and supportive community of female climate leaders dedicated to addressing the climate emergency in Toronto through:
The Women4ClimateTO Alumnae Network is only open to past participants of the Women4ClimateTO Mentorships Program at this time.
To see profiles of past program participants see the links below:
2024 Program Participants
2023 Program Participants
2022 Program Participants
2021 Program Participants