Ankura Alliance is a grassroots, youth-centric organization empowering young people across Canada to grow into climate leaders and stewards, and to take meaningful action through the power of arts, creativity, culture, and community.
What We’re Growing Towards
Remove barriers to climate action
Use arts, culture, and arts education as a welcoming, accessible entry point into environmental stewardship, with all programming offered free or at low cost (through support of donors and grants) to reach as many youth as possible.
Center cultural knowledge and lived experience
Honouring the long-standing sustainability practices that youth carry from their cultures and communities, which mainstream climate advocacy often overlooks, and creating space for youth to bring Indigenous, intergenerational, and global knowledge into the Canadian climate movement.
Build creative environmental literacy
Use arts programming as a low-barrier entry point into the climate movement, offering hands-on workshops that engage youth who may be disinterested in or intimidated by traditional climate spaces. This programming makes climate action more approachable, builds understanding of key environmental issues, and encourages youth to rethink their relationship to materials and consumption.
Create third spaces and community
Cultivate a welcoming space beyond home and school where youth can learn new skills, connect with like-minded peers, and build lasting friendships rooted in a shared care for community and the environment.
Support emerging youth artists
Offer culturally grounded, sustainability-focused artist residencies and mentorships with paid honorariums, equipping youth with skills in environmental stewardship and sustainable creative practice, and pathways into the climate movement.
Foster hands-on environmental engagement
Host community cleanups, ravine hikes, and other outdoor activities that connect youth with local ecosystems and strengthen their ties to the communities they live in.
Broaden who sees themselves in the climate movement
Broaden participation in the Canadian climate movement by affirming that meaningful contribution is not limited to environmental or STEM career paths, and that every skill, interest, and background has a role to play.
What Makes Us Different
For youth, led by youth
Ankura Alliance is shaped by the young people it serves. Youth guide our programs, voices, and decisions, so our work reflects what they care about and need.
Culturally grounded
We celebrate Canada’s diversity and value the intergenerational and global sustainability knowledge youth bring from their own cultures and communities.
Arts-based and research-informed
Creativity is our common ground and our low-barrier entry point to climate education and action. We pair it with credible research and collaborate with researchers so our programming is both engaging and accurate.
Accessible by design
Our programs are free or low-cost and held in welcoming spaces with accommodations available so every youth can participate fully.
No pressure to pursue environmental or STEM careers
Every youth has a place in the Canadian climate movement. We invite them to contribute to stewardship in whatever way fits their life, interests, and skills.
Who We Serve
Ankura Alliance welcomes all youth (ages 13-29) and prioritizes those who face barriers to environmental and arts opportunities, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, youth with disabilities, newcomers, and youth from low-income households.
Our Founder
Vishwa Patel is a Toronto-based artist, facilitator, and community cultural programmer (BFA, OCAD University, Minor Sustainability) with seven years of experience designing inclusive and sustainability-centred programs with nonprofits and museums. Vishwa has curated dozens of exhibitions, facilitated artist residencies, and hosted dozens of creative workshops.
