Supporting Racial Diversity in Sustainability: Mentoring Programme Launches New Cohort
Following the success of our pilot programme, ISEP and the Diverse Sustainability Initiative (DSI) are proud to launch a second cohort of our mentoring scheme for People of Colour (PoC) working in sustainability and environmental professions with a focus on career progression.
ISEP’s pilot programme in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and funded by ESRC (October 2024 to May 2025), offered powerful insights into the lived experiences of PoC in the sector—highlighting not only the importance of mentoring but also the specific challenges mentees face, such as navigating limited progression opportunities and underrepresentation in leadership roles. Watch the webinar on ISEP’s Watch Again page which features the research findings, and a panel of mentees and mentors.
This next cohort builds on those findings, with a strengthened focus on what mentees and mentors truly value in these relationships. The scheme is designed to break down systemic barriers and foster inclusive career development within the UK’s sustainability profession—an industry still among the least racially diverse in the country. According to the 2022 Racial Diversity in Environmental Professions report co-funded by Students Organising for Sustainability UK, ISEP and the Natural Environment Research Council, just 4.81% of professionals identify as Black, Asian, or from other minority ethnic backgrounds, compared to 12.64% across all sectors.
Research from the Mentoring Pilot Scheme will be published shortly.
🔘 Up to 12 month mentoring journey focused on early-career PoC professionals within ISEP
🔘 Tailored support for both mentees and mentors, including resources, and networking opportunities
🔘 Community-driven development: insights from the pilot directly inform this new phase
🔘 Scalable vision: this initiative is a step towards wider support for other underrepresented groups in the sector
We have built a mentoring model that is impactful, inclusive, and scalable helping shape a sustainability workforce that better reflects the diverse communities it serves.
Links to our Application Forms and criteria can be found below:
Mentee Application Form (ISEP members only, >1 year currently in employment)
Mentor Application Form (MISIP and FISEP only)
Reach out via our dedicated email: careermentoring@isepglobal.org
If you identify as a Person of Colour and want to connect with a wider community of professionals, join the DSI PoC Network today: www.diversesustainability.net
