A bright, new cohort chapter for Community Energy Ambassadors

CERTs launched the Community Energy Ambassador program in 2023 to engage people with tools, training, and support to spark clean energy change in their communities.

“The idea came about when new federal legislation was offering incentives for local clean energy projects,” recalls CERTs Co-Director Melissa Birch. “We wanted to make sure communities had the knowledge and support they needed to take advantage of those opportunities.”

Since then, CERTs has created a library of free, self-paced resources, webinars, slideshows, handouts, and a full online training. Participants who complete the training can become officially “CERTified” as Community Energy Ambassadors.

As the program has grown, its focus has shifted from specific incentives to helping individuals collaborate and get involved at every level of Minnesota’s clean energy landscape.

“Today it’s less about individual projects and more about people coming together,” says Birch. “We’ve seen a lot of excitement around the cohort model, where participants learn as a group and leave with fresh ideas to carry forward.”

Community Energy Ambassador cohorts typically meet online, but interest in one-day, in-person “bootcamps” like the one in Fergus Falls has been strong.

“The idea is that these in-person sessions allow participants to complete most of the content in a single day while also connecting, brainstorming, and building off one another’s ideas,” Birch says. “It’s a fun and energizing way to learn together.”

The Fergus Falls group wrapped up their day with project brainstorming and shared inspiration. Participants left with guidance on next steps, encouragement to stay connected, and a follow-up email with additional materials and links to submit project proposals.

“Approaching the Community Energy Ambassadors program as a group activity that can be accomplished in one sitting is a promising model,” says Walters. “It helps people build relationships around clean energy and carry that momentum into their communities.”

CERTs plans to continue growing the program, with more events and a formalized set of learning modules to make the training even more accessible. 

“We’re continuing to develop both the self-paced and the cohort models, while also focusing more on bringing groups together,” Birch explains. 

As the organization looks to the future and federal priorities change, Birch emphasizes that CERTs will remain dedicated to making Minnesotans' lives better with clean energy.

“No matter who you are or how you show up, clean energy is for everyone,” she says. “The dream is to help more Minnesotans see the value in it and benefit from it, no matter their background or beliefs.”