Youth Climate Action Fund

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Are you a young person aged 15 to 24? Do you have an idea for a climate project? Would you like grant funding to deliver your project?

If so, please fill out an application form for Glasgow's Youth Climate Action Fund!
 

Background on the global programme

It is crucial that the voices of young people are at the forefront in the fight against climate change, and that the next generation are given the opportunity to bring their ideas for meaningful climate solutions to life.

This year, Bloomberg Philanthropies launched a Youth Climate Action Fund which is providing funding to support 100 cities worldwide to engage young people (aged 15-24) to design, produce, and govern urgent climate solutions in their cities. More information here.

As one of the participating cities, Glasgow has received grant funding of US$50,000 (approximately £39,000) to rapidly launch and support youth-led climate projects through the distribution of local microgrants (between £800-£3,900).

Youth Climate Design Jam event

On Friday 14th June, a Design Jam was hosted at City Halls for young people and organisations who were interested in the fund to develop projects ideas through different creative activities. These activities were developed around the questions in the application form, and designed to support participants with their project proposals.

After an opening address from the Leader of the Council to kickstart the workshop, participants explored what climate action means to them, developed ideas for climate projects through a journey map, and mapped out which themes of Glasgow's Climate Plan their ideas related to. After lunch, each project team completed an idea framer to dig deeper into their climate projects, before presenting their ideas to the whole group and getting live feedback from other young people and staff from the Youth Climate Action Fund team.

7 project teams from schools, community and arts-focused organisations attended on the day, and came up with fantastic ideas for climate projects they would like to deliver in their local areas. These covered a wide range of topics, from local and sustainable food growth to creating a climate mural trail across the city.

The presentation from the Design Jam can be found under 'Additional links' at the bottom of the page.

How can I apply?

You can apply through our online application form via a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or computer.

The application must include:

• Contact details so we can get in touch with you
• A description of your project idea
• Details about the impact of your project
• A brief timeline of the main project activities
• A simple budget describing how much funding you need and what the money will be used for

You will have the option to save your progress as you are filling out the form.

Applications for Rounds 1 and 2 of the Youth Climate Action Fund have now closed. We will get back to everyone who applied to Round 2 in mid-September.

Applications for Round 3 are currently open. Please make sure to submit your application by the end of the day on Sunday 29th September.

If you need support filling out the form or meeting the above deadline, please contact us at YouthClimateActionFund@glasgow.gov.uk.

What can the microgrants be used for?

Projects must be climate-focused and support at least one of the key themes of Glasgow's Climate Plan:

• Communication and Community Empowerment (such as designing climate education programmes, delivering climate hackathons, and creating youth climate action plans)
• Just and Inclusive Place (such as focusing on fairness and equality through climate action, carrying out research into local climate issues, and designing climate-friendly spaces)
• Well Connected and Thriving City (such as sustainable transport initiatives, bicycle-sharing and pedestrian-friendly programmes, and supporting mobility)
• Health and Wellbeing (such as air quality research and monitoring, local food growing initiatives, and active travel support)
• Green Recovery (such as improving repair, reuse and recycling within local areas, reducing flooding and heat risk, and enhancing nature and biodiversity)

All projects must be new and designed by young people aged 15-24.

Who is eligible?

• Projects must be led by at least 2 team members aged 15-24
• Projects must be represented by a youth-led or youth-focused organisation*
• Organisations must be based within the Glasgow City Council boundary

*A youth-led organisation is made up of at least three individuals aged 15 to 24 in leadership positions who actively participate in decision making within the organisation. Youth-focused organisations, while generally led by adults, provide core programmes and resources designed to meet the needs of young people. This can include community groups, third-sector organisations, schools, colleges and universities.

If you have an idea for a climate project but you are not sure how to partner with an organisation, please get in touch with us via email for support: YouthClimateActionFund@glasgow.gov.uk.

Key dates

• Youth Climate Action Fund Design Jam: Friday 14th June 2024
• Application form launch: Friday 21st June 2024
• Round 1 application deadline: Sunday 21st July 2024
• Round 2 application deadline: Sunday 25th August 2024
• Round 3 application deadline: Sunday 29th September 2024 
• Project selection: August-September 2024
• Project completion deadline: Tuesday 31st December 2024
• Share project reports: Friday 31st January 2025

If you miss the application deadline but are still interested in delivering a climate project, please contact us via email at: YouthClimateActionFund@glasgow.gov.uk.

Additional links

• Youth Climate Design Jam Slides (PDF) [9MB] (opens new window)
• Bloomberg Press Launch
• Glasgow's Climate Plan
• Glasgow Green Deal

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