The Climate Leadership Academy offers ambitious councillors a unique coaching opportunity to develop their political skills, knowledge and confidence, in order to become leading climate pioneers in local government.
Apply now.
How does it work?
A cohort of 20 councillors will attend three tailored residential weekends with panels and workshops shaped by climate pioneers within local government and receive coaching from experts in the private, voluntary, and public sectors.
Participants will finish the course with the skills and knowledge to overcome the challenges in designing and delivering ambitious, local climate projects, and enable remarkable progress towards their organisation's Net Zero goals. The three residential weekends will take place between September - November 2023.
Some 97% of participants from the 2022 cohort agreed the content covered was relevant and applicable to their council and local context.
The opportunity to network with 19 other equally committed Councillors from across both the country and political spectrum alone would make this commitment worthwhile” — 2022 Participant.
Course programme
The range of panel and interactive workshop sessions may include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Decarbonising Homes and Buildings
- Decarbonising Transport
- Financing the Transition
- Nature & Adaptation
- Green Jobs and Skills
- Leadership skills
- Negotiation skills
- Engagement skills
- Understanding officer dynamics
- Political planning and stakeholder management
- Creating effective narratives and storytelling
Dates & Location:
The Climate Leadership Academy will take place over three residential weekends in three cities. The core dates are:
- Weekend 1 - September 2023
- Weekend 2 - October 2023
- Weekend 3 - November 2023
As places are limited, all applicants must commit to attending all three weekends. Exact dates and locations will be announced before candidates are accepted onto the scheme.
What is the cost?
The cost of the programme is free to attend, fully subsidised by UK100. Attendance at all three weekends is mandatory due to limited spaces.
If participants cannot attend a weekend they will be liable to cover the course cost as per our attendance policy (as outlined in our FAQs).
Accommodation and meals will be provided by UK100 over the course of each weekend.
Travel costs will need to be met by Councillors’ authorities.
Who should apply?
The Climate Leadership Academy aims to support and encourage Leaders, cabinet members, or committee chairs. It is suitable for councillors in any tier, party or location in the UK and applications from multiple councillors from the same council will be considered. To apply for this programme your council must be a member of UK100.
Why should I apply?
Hear directly from graduates of the 2022 cohort:
“It was a real pleasure to take part...Political colours were conspicuous by their absence, with everyone respectful of fellow participants' ideas and contributions. In my opinion, despite what must have been a significant cost, the level of engagement and camaraderie that the academy achieved clearly justified it being both 'in-person' and residential. I have already used the knowledge and contacts I acquired from the Academy to aid my work.”
“The quality of the speakers was first class, the organisation immaculate by the friendly and extremely well informed UK100 team and the space to safely discuss solutions for my borough with a cross-party cohort immensely valuable.“
“I have been really inspired and energised by the weekends and have a lot of ideas to take back to my authority and to share with officers and cabinet colleagues.”
How to apply?
Please complete an application form and equality & diversity form, and return them to membership@uk100.org with the subject line “Your name - Climate Leadership Academy Application”
The closing date for applications is Midday, Friday 16th June 2022.
Due to the high volume of applications we will be unable to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We aspire to inform successful applicants by w/c 26th June.
Climate Leadership Academy FAQs
1. Who should apply?
The Climate Leadership Academy aims to support and encourage Leaders, cabinet members, or committee chairs. It is suitable for councillors in any tier, party or location in the UK and we will consider applications from multiple councillors from the same council. To apply for this programme your council must be a member of UK100.
2. How much does the course cost?
The course is fully funded by UK100 and free to applicants. We will cover your accommodation and food on the course. With travel costs to be met by your council.
3. What if I cannot attend all three weekends?
This is a mandatory requirement to be on the course. If you are unable to attend all three, unfortunately you will not be able to take part. If after accepting a place on the programme participants are unable to attend a weekend their council will be liable to cover the cost as per our attendance policy. If you are unable to attend in the case of illness or bereavement, please inform UK100 immediately.
4. How will I know if I am successful?
Once successful candidates have been selected, we will aspire to contact all applicants by the w/c 26th June. Due to the volume of applications, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
5. What if I am not selected to take part in the Climate Leadership Academy?
We expect the programme to be heavily oversubscribed, so we are unable to work with everyone who applies to be part of the Climate Leadership Academy in 2023. However, we aim to offer a third cohort of applicants the opportunity to take part in this training programme in 2024 and we offer multiple other events for our members throughout the year as advertised in the membership newsletter and on our website.
6. What follow-up support will participants receive after the residential weekends?
The support offered through the Academy extends beyond the residential weekends. We offer a graduate support network, further coaching, as well as opportunities to become spokespeople via UK100 events with members, national advocacy with Government and opposition parties, and the press.
If you have any queries please contact harriet.wadsworth@uk100.org
