Logo with three puzzle shaped speech bubbles on the left each with mountains, a city skyline, plants, and people reaching for the sky depicted. The works Youth Climate Innovation Lab to the right.

Summer 2023 | Cohort 3: Reimagining Climate Resilience

Read the Program Impact Report (2022-2024)

The Summer 2023 cohort of the Youth Climate Innovation Lab was a cohort-based climate program that brought together youth ages 18-30 from across so-called Metro Vancouver to learn, upskill and create bold actions to address climate challenges and advance a just transition. This program gave youth the opportunity to collaborate with municipalities, civic institutions and community organizations on real-life climate projects that directly contributed to the local climate agenda in Metro Vancouver.

The third iteration of the program focused on climate extremes and resilience. Youth participants partnered with local organizations leading Metro Vancouver’s efforts to address climate extremes and make our city more resilient to climate change.

In partnership with local municipalities and community organizations, two climate projects were introduced to our cohort. In project teams, cohort members provided unique insights and youth perspectives on climate problems faced by our project partners. These youth-driven ideas culminated in presentations at a final Community Event on August 31, 2023.

Project Summaries

Project Partner: Worker Solidarity Network
In partnership with Worker Solidarity Network, this project team surveyed essential workers about how climate extremes have shaped their experiences in the workforce. The team conducted surveys, interviews, and a policy analysis to inform Worker Solidarity Network’s future advocacy campaigns.

Project Partner: City of Vancouver
In collaboration with the City of Vancouver, this project team conducted a series of surveys and interviews to better understand how extreme weather impacts youth and what barriers they face to accessing effective cooling methods. The data collected will be presented to policymakers at the City of Vancouver, so that the city can design and deliver better cooling strategies for its youth population.

Session Dates

Part 1 – Retreat / Learn, Investigate and Ideate

  • Session 1 – Friday, July 14
  • Session 2 – Saturday, July 15
  • Session 3 – Sunday, July 16

Part 2 – Projects / Apply and Take Action!

  • Session 4 – Wednesday, July 19
  • Session 5 – Wednesday, July 26
  • Session 6 – Wednesday, August 2
  • Session 7 – Wednesday, August 9
  • Session 8 – Wednesday, August 16
  • Session 9 – Wednesday, August 23

Final Event Community Night – Week of August 28

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

This program wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of:

Logos for Vancity, the Houssian Foundation, the Trottier Family Foundation, and The Youth Harbour.

This program wouldn’t be possible without the guidance and support or our steering committee:

The logos for the Vancouver Economic Commissions, the Social Purpose Institutes at United Way, OneEarth, the Community Energy Association, Climate Caucus, the City of Vancouver Climate Emergency, and the City of Coquitlam.