The GNN Story
Our journey toward building a greener, more connected Toronto community.
ABOUT US
Building Connections for a Sustainable Future
Green Neighbours Network (GNN) is a grassroots network uniting individuals and groups across Toronto and the GTA to create greener, healthier, and more sustainable neighbourhoods. Launched informally on April 16, 2018, and incorporated as a federal not-for-profit in May 2020, GNN supports initiatives that promote a fair and just transition to a low-carbon future.
Born from meetings in 2017 among local green groups, GNN emerged as a sustainable community network with a vision of a healthier, friendlier, and more resilient city. We engage with neighbours to build stronger communities and drive meaningful climate action.
Our Vision
We aim for a fully sustainable city of diverse, walkable neighbourhoods enjoying equal access to abundant, ecologically-rich green spaces and the benefits of a vibrant, local, circular economy.
Our Mission
We build relationships with our members by supporting, connecting and celebrating their work, both individually and through collaborative projects. We also seek alliances with other organizations merging environmental, economic and social benefits.
Our Values
In addition to embracing the values of integrity, transparency and accountability, we place a special importance on “neighbourly” values – cooperation, respect for differences, friendliness and having fun together. Thus, we aim for a consensual approach to decision making.
Learn more about our Code of Conduct & Ethics.
Four Levels of Action for Community-Driven Change
As explained by Will Grant of Southern Oregon Drawdown.
The Power of the Network
Green Neighbours Network of Toronto (GNN) is a network of individuals and independent community groups working together with a common goal: to help make Toronto greener, healthier, and more sustainable. We envision a city of vibrant neighbourhoods, a city that leads in the worldwide urban movement against climate change.
As Network members, we can each do more by:
Together we can do more to address the environmental challenges of our time. There’s lots to do! Why not sign up, join us, and get involved?
How GNN Began
From a Dream to Reality in Five Steps
Nov 2016 – 6 people from 3 green groups met over lunch
The dream: A network of ward-based green groups across the city
The vision:
- Neighbourhood groups will drive the Network; grassroots up
- Network is for linkage; groups will do their own thing
- Network will ask groups, what do you need? How can the Network help
Next step: A party with an agenda.
Jan 2017 – 16 people from 9 green groups met at a potluck party with an agenda
The agenda: Do you feel that your group, or new emerging groups, could be more successful with the support of a broader network of ward-based groups?
The answer – yes!
May 2017 – 15 people from 12 green groups met over dinner
To consider the risks/benefits of a Network …
- Things that hinder, things that help green groups
- How can linkage with other groups help groups?
- How can we make it happen?
- A Transitional Team was formed to plan a neighbourhood green group network, and present the plan in the fall
October 2017 – 23 people from 16 green groups met over dinner
To hear the Transitional Team present their plan for the network …
- purpose & mandate
- leadership structure & core teams
- website plan – with a map of member groups
- outreach trials – one-on-one meetings and interactive “dotmocracy” activity
- show of hands – unanimous support!
Next step – Recruit member groups, launch the network!
April 2018 – 40 people from 30 green groups met over dinner
And we launched Green Neighbours Network of Toronto. From dream to reality in 5 steps! GNN was incorporated as a federal not-for-profit in May 2020.
Launched interactive website with Volunteer Matching System, GNN member profiles, online event calendar, blogs, and more. Continued Green Hearts in Action podcasts. Tabled at community events across the GTA. Enlarged Communications team amplifying engagement on all channels. Co-host of 2025 EcoFair Toronto. Online Silent Auction organizer raising funds for GNN
Launched Green Hearts in Action podcast. Hosted outreach events and secured two interns for Biodiversity Counts. Co-hosted EcoFair 2024 (1,200 attendees, 60 exhibitors). Won 2024 Greener City Award for litter survey. Held Silent Auction Fundraiser. Honored Krissan Veerasingam with GNN Green Hearts Award.
Hired three interns for Reducing Litter at its Source project. Surveyed restaurants on single-use plastics. Hosted outreach events. Co-hosted EcoFair 2023 (1,100 attendees, 63 exhibitors). Launched Green Hearts for Valentine’s Day. Helen Mills won GNN Green Hearts Award. Recruited UofT Geography student for citywide green group mapping.
Launched Greener Toronto Fund to support grassroots projects. Partnered with WalkRollMap.org for sidewalk safety. Hired eight interns for Reducing Gas at Home and on the Move. Hosted outreach events. Co-hosted EcoFair 2022 (1,022 attendees, 44 exhibitors). Recruited York University students for member group support.
Held first AGM and Member Celebration. Co-hosted hybrid EcoFair 2021 (426 attendees). Hired three interns to improve social media, website, and database. Launched new logo and website. Formed GNN Political Engagement Team. Applied for summer job grants. Published eight newsletters.
Incorporated as a federal non-profit. Participated in Community Sewing Face Mask Project. Hosted online and in-person outreach events. Secured first Canada Summer Jobs intern. Co-hosted virtual EcoFair 2020 (1,000 attendees). Piloted a $1,000 micro-grant program. Launched GNN Retrofits Team to promote energy efficiency.
Celebrated first anniversary. Hosted volunteer training and outreach events. Promoted GreenPAC’s 100 Debates for the Environment. Created bylaws and recruited first Board of Directors. Co-hosted EcoFair 2019. Published 12 newsletters.
Internally launched GNN. Founded Zero Waste Team. Published first GNN Newsletter. Hosted outreach tables at environmental fairs. Partnered with ClimateFast and Toronto Green Community on Low Carbon Neighbourhood project funded by The Atmospheric Fund.
