The CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 program is a year-long leadership fellowship for civic-minded leaders from diverse communities and backgrounds across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

The CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows program is powered by Purpose Unlimited and is designed for leaders who have demonstrated experience in civic changemaking and want to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their networks and contribute to positive change across the region.

Selected DiverseCity Fellows will develop personalized leadership development plans, receive coaching and mentorship, participate in skills-building sessions and build cross-sector connections.

Upon completing the program, CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows will become part of a network of hundreds of DiverseCity alumni, mentors and city-builders across the GTHA.

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About CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows

The CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 program provides an opportunity for experienced community and sector leaders to develop their leadership capacity while working toward a more inclusive GTHA.

Throughout the fellowship year, participants will have opportunities to:

• Develop a personalized leadership development plan
• Receive coaching and mentorship
• Participate in leadership skills-building sessions
• Strengthen key leadership competencies
• Build cross-sectoral connections
• Expand their professional and civic networks
• Explore important social issues
• Strengthen their ability to drive positive change
• Join the DiverseCity alumni network after completing the program

The DiverseCity Fellows experience is intended for leaders who want to amplify their impact and contribute to their communities.

CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 Benefits

The CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows program offers several leadership development and networking opportunities.

Key benefits include:

Leadership Development: Fellows will create personalized leadership development plans and strengthen important leadership competencies.

Coaching and Mentorship: Participants will receive coaching and mentorship throughout the program.

Skills Building: Fellows will participate in sessions designed to develop practical leadership skills.

Professional Networking: The program provides opportunities to build cross-sectoral connections with leaders from across the GTHA.

Civic Engagement: Fellows can strengthen their ability to contribute to positive change in their communities and the wider region.

Alumni Network: Successful participants will join a network of hundreds of DiverseCity alumni, mentors and city-builders.

Who Should Apply for the DiverseCity Fellows Program?

The CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 program is intended for civic-minded leaders who are committed to making the GTHA a more inclusive and better place to live and work.

Applicants should generally be:

• Civic-minded leaders, typically in their mid-career
• Individuals committed to improving their region and communities
• Leaders with at least five years of demonstrated leadership experience
• Individuals whose leadership experience may come from professional and/or volunteer activities
• Creative problem-solvers
• Collaborative leaders
• Empathetic and inclusive leaders
• Results-oriented individuals

CivicAction’s programming seeks to reflect the needs, realities and lived experiences of equity-denied communities across the region, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and newcomer leaders.

CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows Eligibility

One of the most important CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows eligibility requirements is location.

Because the fellowship includes in-person elements, the DiverseCity Fellows program is only available to individuals living and/or working in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

The application identifies the following municipalities:

• Durham
• Halton
• Hamilton
• Peel
• Toronto
• York

Applicants should carefully confirm that their living and/or working location meets the program’s GTHA requirement before applying.

What Is the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area?

The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) includes municipalities such as:

Durham

Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge and Whitby.

Halton

Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.

Hamilton

The City of Hamilton.

Peel

Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon.

Toronto

The City of Toronto.

York

Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville.

CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows Application Requirements

Applicants for the CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 program must complete all five sections of the application form.

The required application materials include:

1. Current Resume/CV

Applicants must submit a current resume or CV highlighting relevant professional, personal and volunteer experience.

Requirement:

• Current resume/CV
• Maximum of 3 pages
• PDF format

2. Recommendation Form From an Employer

Applicants must provide one recommendation form completed by a current or previous employer.

3. Personal Reference Recommendation

Applicants must provide one recommendation form completed by a personal reference.

If an applicant is self-employed or unemployed, both recommendation forms can be completed by a personal reference.

CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows Application Questions

The DiverseCity Fellows application contains eight application questions.

Applicants can answer the questions in written or audio format.

If submitting audio responses, applicants should upload a separate audio file for each question and write N/A in the corresponding text box.

Video files should not be submitted because they will be too large to upload.

Question 1 — Civic Leadership

Applicants are asked to explain what civic leadership means to them and describe how they have demonstrated civic leadership in their community.

Word limit: 150 words
Audio limit: 1 minute 30 seconds

Question 2 — Leadership Experience

Applicants must describe the most significant work, personal or volunteer experience that has shaped them as a leader.

Word limit: 200 words
Audio limit: 2 minutes

Question 3 — Inclusive Leadership

Applicants should provide an example of when they demonstrated inclusive leadership, explain the challenges they faced and discuss what they learned.

Word limit: 150 words
Audio limit: 1 minute 30 seconds

Question 4 — Leadership Competency Strength

Applicants must select one leadership competency that best describes them and provide an example of when they demonstrated it.

Word limit: 100 words
Audio limit: 1 minute

Question 5 — Leadership Competency to Strengthen

Applicants must select one leadership competency they want to strengthen and explain how developing it could benefit them.

Word limit: 100 words
Audio limit: 1 minute

Question 6 — Why DiverseCity Fellows?

Applicants should explain why the CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows program is right for them at this stage of their leadership journey and what unique contributions they would bring to the program.

Word limit: 100 words
Audio limit: 1 minute

Question 7 — Biggest GTHA Challenge

Applicants must identify what they believe is the biggest challenge facing the GTHA and explain how they would use skills, perspectives, ideas and contacts gained through the fellowship to address it.

Word limit: 200 words
Audio limit: 2 minutes

Question 8 — Additional Accomplishments

Applicants can list other accomplishments they would like CivicAction to consider, such as awards, fellowships or published works.

Word limit: 100 words
Audio limit: 1 minute

Documents Required for the DiverseCity Fellows Application

Before submitting the CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 application, applicants should prepare the following documents:

• Current CV/resume — maximum 3 pages, PDF format
• First recommendation form — completed by a current or previous employer
• Second recommendation form — completed by a personal reference
• Audio files, if choosing audio responses instead of written answers

Applicants should ensure that required documents are completed and uploaded in the appropriate sections of the application.

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How to Apply for CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28

Interested candidates can apply through the official CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 application form.

Application:

Applicants should complete all five sections of the application and upload the required documents in PDF format.

For additional information about the program, applicants can visit the CivicAction leadership website or contact the fellowship team by email.

Program information:

Email: leadership@civicaction.ca

How to Save Your DiverseCity Fellows Application

Applicants who cannot complete the application in one sitting can use the Save my progress and resume later option available on the application form.

Applicants can return to a previously saved application using the resume option.

Save or resume application:

Important Application Submission Information

Applicants should carefully review their application before clicking SUBMIT.

According to the application instructions, if you do not get redirected to a confirmation page after clicking the SUBMIT button, a field in the application may be missing.

Applicants should correct any missing information and submit the application again.

The submission is not considered received until the applicant is directed to a confirmation page.

CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 Selection Profile

The DiverseCity Fellows program is particularly relevant for experienced leaders who can demonstrate meaningful civic, professional or volunteer leadership.

A strong applicant should be able to clearly communicate:

• Their understanding of civic leadership
• Their leadership experience
• Their commitment to inclusive leadership
• Their ability to collaborate
• Their experience solving problems
• Their leadership strengths
• Areas where they want to develop
• Their connection to the GTHA
• Their vision for addressing regional challenges
• Their potential contribution to the DiverseCity Fellows community

Applicants should use real examples from their professional, volunteer and lived experiences when responding to the application questions.

Why Apply for the CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows Program?

The CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 program is an opportunity for experienced civic leaders to develop their leadership capabilities while connecting with other changemakers across the GTHA.

For leaders who have already spent several years contributing to their communities or sectors, the fellowship can provide an opportunity to reflect on their leadership, identify areas for growth, develop new connections and strengthen their ability to create positive change.

The program also creates a pathway into a wider network of DiverseCity alumni, mentors and city-builders.

Final Thoughts

The CivicAction DiverseCity Fellows 2027/28 program offers an opportunity for experienced civic-minded leaders to strengthen their leadership skills, receive coaching and mentorship, develop cross-sector connections and contribute to positive change across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

If you have at least five years of demonstrated leadership experience, live and/or work in the GTHA and are committed to building a more inclusive region, the DiverseCity Fellows program may be an opportunity worth exploring.

Before applying, prepare your 3-page CV, two recommendation forms and responses to all eight application questions. Carefully follow the word and audio time limits and make sure you receive a confirmation page after submitting your application.