ICLEI Peer Network
Connect and Collaborate With Municipal Peers Across CanadaICLEI Peer Network
Connect and Collaborate With Municipal Peers Across Canada
The ICLEI Peer Network is a virtual space where municipal practitioners working to advance climate action in their communities can connect with peers from across Canada. It is designed as a supportive space for staff to discuss emerging issues, exchange insights, and get re-energized. Does this sound like something you could use? Municipal practitioners can join this Canada-wide network for free.
ICLEI Peer Network Q&A
Ahead of the first Peer Network meeting, ICLEI Canada’s Executive, Managing, and Engineering Directors share their thoughts on this new initiative.
Why a Municipal Peer Network?
Municipal staff across Canada are working hard to advance climate and sustainability goals. But climate emergencies, competing priorities, limited resources, and emerging issues—such as the rise in misinformation and polarization—don’t make it easy for them. In addition, these staff generally have limited opportunities for peer-to-peer support, whether because they work in small teams, operate in silos, or simply lack dedicated spaces for open exchange with colleagues facing similar challenges. Many rely on yearly conferences to connect with peers, exchange ideas, have candid conversations, and build their support network. They also make the most of free webinars and online workshops—but these types of events rarely allow for the type of meaningful connection and exchanges needed to address the complex challenges they face in their day-to-day work.
A Flexible Format Grounded in Current Needs and Events
At ICLEI Canada, we are aware that relationships and support networks can accelerate local climate action. While events like the Livable Cities Forum create valuable opportunities for municipal staff to connect, exchange ideas, and build lasting professional relationships, we know that in-person networking isn’t always accessible and that one-off events aren’t enough. Many municipal practitioners have also expressed the desire to purposefully connect more than once per year. That’s why we created the ICLEI Peer Network. Each facilitated meeting is designed to provide an opportunity for open discussions around timely and relevant themes brought forward by members.
About the Network
The ICLEI Peer Network is a virtual space designed for municipal staff to connect regularly on challenges and emerging trends in the climate and sustainability sector. It offers a platform for candid discussions, peer-to-peer exchanges, and shared problem-solving. The Peer Network is an ICLEI Canada initiative designed to fill a gap many municipal practitioners have identified. We are excited to make the Network available and free of charge, as a way to foster meaningful connections and advance local climate action. 2025 will serve as a trial period to assess its impact, and we have a strong feeling it will become an invaluable resource. We hope you will join us.
Interested?
Here is What You Can Expect
The ICLEI Peer Network is a virtual space for municipal staff to get in touch with peers from across Canada, openly discuss timely topics in a supportive environment, and get re-energized in their work. You can expect:
- Candid conversations on the challenges and barriers municipal staff are facing right now;
- A space for facilitated peer-to-peer exchanges; and,
- An opportunity to get inspired and re-energize to advance local climate action.
Each session is designed to leave you feeling informed, motivated, and not alone in your work.
Here is What You Need to Know
- It’s free
- Meetings occur three to four times per year
- Meetings will take place online via Zoom (other options may be explored with Network members)
- Meetings are not recorded to foster open discussions
- Meetings will take place in English with the option for simultaneous translation
- The Peer Network is only open to municipal and Indigenous community staff (registration requests are monitored accordingly)
- To join, simply fill the registration form below
Once you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email and calendar invitations to upcoming meetings within a week (please join at least one week before the next meeting to ensure you receive your confirmation in time to join). We encourage you to join all meetings but feel free to decline calendar invitations for meetings you know you cannot attend.
For Canadian Municipal Staff Only
Please note that the Peer Network is only available to municipal and Indigenous community staff in Canada. This includes staff who work for counties, towns, cities, regional municipalities (MRCs in Québec), band offices, and other Indigenous community offices.
Upcoming Peer Network Meetings
- Misinformation at the Local Level: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET online
- Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET online
- Wednesday, November 26, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET online
Discover more resources
Reach us
iclei-canada@iclei.org
Suite 204
401 Richmond St. W
Toronto, ON
M5V 3A8
We respectfully acknowledge that ICLEI Canada’s work happens across Turtle Island which has traditionally been and is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples since time immemorial.