Upcoming Events
March 14th
Climate Civic Academy
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.
Climate Civic Academy
March 14th | Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph St, Vancouver)
Extreme climate events are already reshaping our lives, and city policies determine who is protected and who is left behind. Join the MVA Climate Civic Academy to step into collective action for climate justice at a critical moment.
This hands-on academy brings together MVA’S Climate Research Action Team community members, organizers, and researchers to examine how municipal decisions affect residents during heat waves, floods, wildfires, and other climate emergencies. Together, we’ll build a shared analysis and develop a community-driven action plan to push Vancouver’s next municipal government to take bold, accountable climate action.
This is not a passive learning session. It’s a space to organize, build power, and translate lived experience into concrete demands in a pivotal election year. People from across Metro Vancouver are welcome, and you’ll leave equipped with organizing tools and strategies you can bring back to your own community.
The climate crisis is here, and the choices cities make matter now more than ever. Join us to turn urgency into action and help shape the climate future our communities deserve.
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.
