General GreenHouse FAQ
Why do students engage with GreenHouse?
- Many of our students join GreenHouse to work on a social or environmental problem that they are passionate about. They focus on learning how to craft their idea into a social impact project or venture and figure out how they can benefit their community.
- How do students engage with GreenHouse?
- There are a multitude of ways that students can engage with GreenHouse. Our two core programs are Social Innovators in Training and Changemaker Labs.
- Social Innovators in Training (SIIT):
- Students enrolled in GreenHouse's Social Innovators in Training (SIIT) program work with other like-minded innovators interested in creating social or environmental change through their own projects, ventures, or initiatives.
- Don't have an idea? No problem, SIIT is still for you! Many of our students join SIIT to find inspiration to work on an idea that they are passionate about!
- Changemaker Labs for Green Youth:
- Changemaker Labs for Green Youth is a program to drive climate action and advance Canada’s transition to net zero by 2050! Our vision is that you will engage in skill development and networking in the green economy while providing meaningful support for municipal climate action. Each term focuses on mobilizing different Transformational Change outlined in the TransformWR Climate Action Strategy. Choose from ‘inspire & act’ conversations, community tap-ins, content creation labs, and design sprint challenges. No experience or previous knowledge is required; join our engaging community and be part of the movement!
- Students can also join GreenHouse by engaging in workshops or classroom-based collaborations.
- What types of innovations does GreenHouse support?
- There are many paths to making a social or environmental impact. At GreenHouse, we support the development of products and services, but we also support policy innovations and awareness/advocacy campaigns, setting us apart from other social incubators on campus!
- We broadly define social and environmental impact using the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We also recognize that some projects don’t fit neatly into one SDG or may encompass themes not included in the SDGs. If you’re unsure whether your project is a good fit, just ask!
Social Innovators in Training
- What does programming look like?
- SIIT runs every term for 10 weeks.
- We meet once a week for an hour and a half followed by a free community dinner.
- Every week we discuss ways to improve your venture and tackle all the challenges you might face with building a startup.
- At the end of the term, SIIT students have the opportunity to pitch for funding from the Social Impact Fund.
- Most content presented in SIIT is applicable at any stage of startup development. That means that you can participate in SIIT multiple times as you and your ideas grow and evolve..
- When is the right time to join?
- Applications are usually open at the beginning of the term or a few weeks before the term begins.
- Who can join?
- SIIT is open to University of Waterloo students and recent alumni from any faculty and any level of study.
- Learn more about SDG's here
Changemaker Labs
- What does programming look like?
- CL is split into two sections throughout the term to help students learn and mobilize the goals of the TransformWR Climate Action plan!
- 1st half of term: Weekly Inspire & Act conversations: The first half of the term is focused on setting students up for success by building a foundation of knowledge on campus, in the community, and from First Nations perspectives.
- 2nd half of term: Weekly Content creation labs & Design Sprint challenge options: The second half of the term focuses on taking action, through design sprints or content labs. CL is designed to tap in and out as your schedule allows.
- CL is split into two sections throughout the term to help students learn and mobilize the goals of the TransformWR Climate Action plan!
- When is the right time to join?
- Anytime during the first half of the semester. Applications close after reading week.
- Who can join?
- Changemaker Labs is open to undergraduate students from any post-secondary institution in Waterloo Region (University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College).
- A limited number of spots are reserved for graduate students, high school students, and non-enrolled youth. Please reach out for more details.