Upcoming Events
February 25th AND March 14th
Civic Academy Series
This year, the Metro Vancouver Alliance (MVA) is proud to present a two-part Civic Academy Series focused on the most urgent challenges facing our communities: housing and climate. Designed as hands-on, movement-building spaces, these academies bring together community members, organizers, and researchers to turn lived experience into collective action, just ahead of a pivotal municipal election year.
Housing Civic Academy
February 25, 2026 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
The housing crisis demands action now. At the Housing Civic Academy, participants will work alongside MVA’s Housing Research Action Team to examine how housing policies are impacting residents across Metro Vancouver. Together, we’ll develop clear, community-driven demands and solutions to put directly to municipal candidates, so they commit to policies that reflect what our communities urgently need.
Member stories will bring to life the concrete ways cities are planning for, or against, affordability:
1.The real community impact of the “Downtown Eastside Revitalization Plan”
2.How zoning rules slow and stop affordable non-profit housing development
3.Tools to unlock affordable housing partnerships with faith groups
Come prepared to share your organization’s priorities and make a plan to act for housing that builds thriving communities.
March 20th - 21st 2026
Foundations of Community Organizing Training
Based on the Industrial Areas Foundation's (IAF) 85+ years of experience uniting communities to create meaningful social change, this training provides an introduction to the IAF foundational leadership practices and principles of community organizing. If you have not taken this training in the last 6 months and/or are new to MVA, this is the training for you! You will get an overview of the basics of how MVA organizes, and get caught up to speed on where we are in our work right now.
May 25-29th 2026
IAF National Training
Victoria BC, Canada
The National and Regional Training sessions are an intensive 5-day program for people committed to understanding the craft, theory and practices of community organising; power, leadership, interest, relationships and organisation. NOTE: Participants are recommended to have completed the two-day Foundations of Community Organizing training prior to this session.
Third Monday of each month | 7:30–9:00 pm • Six sessions
Growing Your Leadership With MVA and Beyond!
Our society needs emerging leaders. MVA needs emerging leaders.
And those leaders deserve strong mentoring and resources to grow
their impact. That’s why we’re investing in younger leaders, not only
for the work of Metro Vancouver Alliance (MVA), but also to
strengthen their broader roles in society.
Past Trainings & Workshops
Foundations of Community Organizing (IAF‑based global method)
Learn the most globally renowned method of community organizing with the Industrial Areas Foundation.
Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization
The purpose is to address the legacies of colonialism through collaborative action with Indigenous leaders and organizations.
