About the Summit The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) invites community leaders, practitioners, and organizations to submit proposals to present at the Leading Change Summit 2026: The Ripple Effect. This three-day summit will bring together shelter staff, community partners, and service providers from across Alberta to strengthen trauma-informed, violence informed, and culturally responsive approaches to violence prevention and intervention. Grounded in the understanding that meaningful change happens through connection and shared learning, The Ripple Effect will explore how individual actions, community leadership, and cross-sector collaboration can create a lasting impact for survivors of violence. Call for ProposalsCall Opens: May 1, 2026 | Submission Deadline: May 19, 2026 What We’re Looking For! We are seeking interactive workshops, panels, and knowledge-sharing sessions that center community voice and support survivors from Indigenous, newcomer, and diverse ethnocultural communities. Sessions should be practical, engaging, and grounded in real-world experience. Priority Topics We are particularly interested in proposals that explore: Culturally responsive violence prevention and intervention Indigenous-informed and community-led approaches Supporting newcomer and ethnocultural communities Addressing systemic barriers in services Building intercultural partnerships and community connections Who Should Apply We welcome proposals from individuals and organizations who bring community knowledge, cultural wisdom, and lived and/or professional experience supporting individuals and families impacted by violence. This may include: Ethnocultural and newcomer-serving organizations Indigenous-led organizations, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers Community leaders and cultural practitioners Organizations supporting immigrant and refugee communities Researchers, educators, and frontline practitioners in violence prevention Why Present? Presenting at the ACWS Summit is an opportunity to: Share knowledge and promising practices with a provincial network Contribute to strengthening Alberta’s response to gender-based violence Build connections across sectors and communities Be part of a collective movement toward meaningful systems change Become A Sponsor!Learn More Why Sponsor the 2026 Leading Change Summit? Your sponsorship doesn’t just support an event, it positions your organization as a visible, values-driven leader in one of Alberta’s most urgent social issues. The Leading Change Summit brings together the people shaping policy, practice, advocacy, and community safety across the province. By aligning your brand with this work, you demonstrate a powerful commitment to building safer, healthier futures for all Albertans. What Your Sponsorship Makes Possible With your support, ACWS can strengthen the frontline workforce, elevate survivor-centred innovations, and accelerate the cross-sector collaboration required to address gender-based violence in meaningful, lasting ways. You help drive the ripple effect, change that spreads far beyond the event itself. Click Here for the Full Sponsorship Package! Interested in sponsoring the 2026 Leading Change Summit? Email conferences@acws.ca.
