Apply to the soar storytelling program

Publish a story of resilience from your community!

Stories of Arctic Resilience (SOAR) is about sharing the ideas, experiences, and actions that are helping Arctic communities respond to challenges and shape their own futures.

In partnership with the Arctic Mayors’ Forum as part of the Enhancing Northern Connectivity project, Harvard Arctic Initiative’s SOAR program is inviting early career participants from Arctic communities to tell a story of resilience from their own community or a community they are closely connected to. This could be a story about people or an organization solving a local problem, responding to climate impacts, strengthening cultural continuity, preparing for emergencies, supporting community well-being, or creating new opportunities.

Participants will work with the Harvard Arctic Initiative team to turn their story into an online ArcGis storymap – a digital story that can bring together writing, maps, photos, interviews, audio, video, and other materials. Contributors will receive technical support and training throughout the process as they research, shape, and present their story.

Deadline extended: 1st November, 2026
15-20 minutes to complete

For more information about the SOAR Storytelling Program, please consult these materials before starting your application:

Read the Brochure and terms of reference

SOAR Storytelling Program

Thank you for your interest in the Stories of Arctic Resilience (SOAR) Storytelling Program.

SOAR will bring together early career participants from across the Arctic to develop stories about resilience in their communities. Participants will explore resilience and preparedness and receive training in research, interviewing, communication, and storymap development. No previous research, writing, or storytelling experience is required. Training and support will be provided.

If your community or municipality is nominating you, please ask them to submit the nomination form here: Nomination Form

In lieu of a nomination, attach a reference letter at the end of this application from an employer, teacher, community leader, or similar.

  • Application deadline: 9 October 2026
  • Program dates: December 1, 2026 – May 3, 2027
  • Estimated completion time: 15–20 minutes

If you have problems or questions regarding the submission of your application, please reach out carter@arcticmayors.com

Applicant information

Full name
Optional.
Optional. Include your country code.
If different from where you currently live.

Connection to an Arctic community

You may live there, have grown up there, have family or cultural connections, attend school there, work there, or remain involved in other ways. Maximum 200 words.

Interest in the program

How would you like to provide your response to the question above?
Choose one. The corresponding response field will be required.

Preliminary story idea

You do not need a fully developed story before applying. Your idea may change during the program.

Possible topics: emergency preparedness or response; climate change adaptation; food security; infrastructure; housing; health and well-being; culture and language; land-based knowledge and practices; environmental stewardship; youth leadership; community planning; local governance; transportation; energy; economic development; or another community initiative or response.

If known.
Explain the challenge or change, how people or organizations responded, why the story is important, and what other communities might learn. Maximum 300 words.

People and organizations involved

This could include community members, elders, youth, municipal staff, local leaders, researchers, emergency responders, organizations, or project participants. It is acceptable if you do not yet know.
Do you currently have a local contact or organization that may be able to support your story?
If yes, provide their name, role, and organization. Providing a name does not mean the person has formally agreed to participate.

Relevant experience

Experience may come from school, employment, volunteering, community or land-based activities, creative work, social media, photography, interviewing, writing, research, or lived experience. Professional experience is not required. Maximum 200 words.

Program participation

The six-month program is expected to include one approximately two-hour online session each month, interviews or conversations with community members, preparation of written and visual materials, and a final storymap presentation and group reflection.

Are you able to participate for the full program period?
Do you expect any internet, technology, accessibility, or other barriers that may affect your participation?
This information will not automatically affect your eligibility.

Technology and communication

Do you have regular access to the following?
A computer or tablet
Internet
A phone or device that can take photos or record audio

Optional information

These optional responses may help the program team create a cohort with varied geographic, cultural, educational, professional, and other experiences.
Do you identify as Indigenous?
Optional.
Optional.
Current situation (select all that apply)
Optional.
Optional.
Highest level of education completed
No specific level of formal education is required. Optional.
How did you hear about SOAR?
Select all that apply.
Optional.

Reference letter

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
Required only if you are not being nominated by your community or municipality. Upload a letter from an employer, teacher, community leader, or similar explaining why you are well-suited for the program.

Applicant declaration and consent

  • Please confirm that the information in this application is accurate;
  • submitting does not guarantee a place;
  • selected participants must attend sessions and develop a community resilience storymap;
  • appropriate consent is required before publishing interviews, photographs, recordings, or community materials;
  • AI may support spelling, grammar, translation, or clarity but must not invent or misrepresent information;
  • final stories will undergo editorial and/or community review;
  • you have read Harvard’s Arctic Initiative Terms of Reference in the program brochure and agree to the code of conduct;
  • and you consent to Harvard’s Arctic Initiative storing and processing this application during 2026–2028 and contacting you about SOAR.
Declaration and consent
You must check this box to submit.