Alberta Climate Resilience Cohort

The Alberta Climate Resilience Cohort will enable communities to advance climate‑resilient infrastructure projects through expert guidance, peer learning, and tailored technical support. 

 Delivered in partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC), Albertan communities and non-profit housing providers were invited to submit by August 31, 2026. Participants were finalized in October 2026.

Introducing Participants in the Alberta Climate Resilience Cohort

12 local governments/community-related organizations have been selected to participate in the Alberta Climate Resilience Cohort — a collaborative initiative designed to advance local infrastructure projects that address current and future climate risks. This cohort brings together communities from across Alberta that are working to improve the resilience of local buildings, facilities, public spaces, and critical infrastructure through practical adaptation planning and implementation.  

Through expert technical support, peer learning opportunities, and collaboration with climate resilience specialists, participants will develop projects that help communities prepare for climate-related challenges such as extreme weather, wildfire, flooding, heat, and changing environmental conditions. 

 

Each participant is advancing a unique project that integrates climate resilience considerations into community infrastructure, helping ensure local investments remain safe, functional, and effective in a changing climate. These organizations represent a diverse range of community types, geographies, and resilience priorities across Alberta. 

Looking Ahead

Over the coming months, cohort participants will work closely with resilience experts and peers to refine project concepts, identify climate-related risks and opportunities, and develop actionable pathways toward implementation. 

Alberta municipalities and Indigenous communities are taking meaningful steps to prepare for future climate challenges, and we are proud to support them throughout that journey. 

---

What is Offered?

This program includes:

• Up to 60 hours of technical support from CRIS‑contracted experts
• Three expert‑led webinars focused on climate risk, infrastructure resilience, and applied project development
• Peer learning and working group sessions with Alberta communities facing similar challenges
• Guidance to support funding readiness and next steps

All program activities are delivered virtually.

Who Can Submit?

1. Municipalities and Indigenous communities and organizations based in Alberta that serve a population under 30,000 are eligible to submit and participate in program activities.
2. Eligible housing providers: a non-profit, co-operative, and municipal housing organization or a non-profit organization delivering community housing services

To be eligible, infrastructure or housing project must be identified in a capital, operational, or asset management plan and projects must focus on one or more priority climate risks: 

• Wildfire or wildfire smoke
• Extreme heat
• Drought

SCOPING SUPPORT

Scoping support is available to help communities define an eligible project and prepare a strong CRIS service request. MCCAC offers follow up support on Expressions of Interest to help clarify priority climate risks, identify an appropriate project scope, and understand what CRIS can provide, reducing barriers for communities with limited internal capacity. Please reach out to contact@mccac.ca for scoping support. 

Program Timeline

The Alberta Climate Resilience Cohort will run from September 2026 to February 2027, with pre‑application scoping support available in advance of the cohort start. 

Get Started

1. Visit the CRIS Cohort website
2. Review the Guidebook
3. Submit an Expression of Interest or application
4. The cohort runs from September 2026 to February 2027

Participation in the CRIS Cohort program is fully funded through the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS), delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute and funded by the Government of Canada.