What is the Climate Champions Program?
The City’s Climate Champions Program pairs community-based organizations with a Climate Champion intern to implement a project that will help their communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. This program was created in response to perspectives shared during the community engagement process for the City's climate adaptation strategy, Climate Ready Oʻahu.
We believe the best solutions to protect our communities from climate risks come from within those communities. The Climate Champions program supports this vision—partnering with local organizations and residents across Oʻahu to build the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to adapt to our changing climate together. Through this program, community members take the lead in developing real, local solutions that reflect the unique needs of their neighborhoods. Along the way, we're strengthening the bonds between the City and the people who call Oʻahu home — laying the groundwork for a more resilient, equitable future for everyone.
Climate Champions 2026-2028 Program
Organizations: Request for Proposals now open!
This round of the Climate Champions program will be funded through the City and County of Honolulu’s Climate Resiliency Fund, and the Resilience Office is now seeking proposals from Oʻahu community-based organizations! The Request for Proposals (RFP) can be found on Hawaiʻi Awards and Notices Data System (HANDS), searchable as “Climate Champions 2026” (RFP-MAY-2003203).
Through Climate Champions, organizations receive support to:
Implement a project of their choice related to climate adaptation or resilience
Hire two seasonal interns to implement the project
Participate in a cohort with other local organizations
Explore other learning opportunities with the Resilience Office
RFP Informational Session
An optional virtual informational session will be held May 26, 2026, from 12-1 p.m. for organizations interested in this opportunity. Registration is not required.
To join the meeting, click this link. Or, go to zoom.com, click “Meet” and then “Join a meeting” and enter the following meeting information: Meeting ID: 818 8087 8909 Passcode: 987167
Internships: Applications opening this summer
We are not yet accepting applications for Fall 2026 Climate Champions interns, but prospective interns are encouraged to check this page for updates in Summer 2026, and follow along via newsletter and social media.
2026 - 2028 Program Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
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We acknowledge that climate adaptation and community resilience can take many forms. We encourage organizations to be creative in their project proposals. Proposals should identify how the project would promote the resilience of communities and/or ʻāina in the face of climate impacts by demonstrating relevance to one of the climate adaptation strategies outlined in Climate Ready Oʻahu (CRO). For examples of past projects, visit the “Meet our Past Champions” page linked below.
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For the 2026-2028 program, the Resilience Office will be able to award $100,000 each to five community-based organizations around Oʻahu. Funds can be used to support project materials and supplies, staff time, compensation for the Climate Champions intern, and participation in program activities organized by the Resilience Office. Organizations can decide how to allocate program funds over the course of the two-year contract.
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No, Climate Champions 2026-2028 is not a grant program. The Resilience Office is not able to administer grants in accordance with Section 9-205 of the City and County of Honolulu’s Charter. Because funding for Climate Champions comes from the City and County of Honolulu’s Climate Resiliency Fund, interested organizations must submit a project proposal to be awarded funding via competitive contract with the City. If selected for Climate Champions, organizations will be responsible for implementing their proposed project and taking part in program activities for the two-year contract period. The Request for Proposals is live! Proposals are being accepted on the Hawaiʻi Awards and Notices Data System (HANDS) website.
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The Climate Champions solicitation listing is live on the Hawaiʻi Awards and Notices Data System (HANDS) site until 6/15/2026 at 12:00 PM. On the Climate Champions listing, the City will provide detailed instructions and template materials that will help you navigate each step of the proposal submission process. Attending the optional virtual informational session May 26, 2026, from 12-1 p.m. will also help you to understand the submission process.
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Each round of Climate Champions is organized as a two-year program with a cohort of five organizations. The Resilience Office will organize orientations, check-ins, workshops for interns, and other cohort activities to support relationship-building and peer learning among interns and host organizations. Participants will also receive ongoing support from the Resilience Office throughout the program.
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The Resilience Office will work with organizations to recruit and hire seasonal Climate Champions interns for Fall 2026 and Fall 2027 (one per year) once the 2026 organizations have been selected. When submitting a proposal to become part of the 2026 cohort, organizations should describe the project that they plan to implement and how they would meet program requirements. You are not expected to hire an intern before submitting your proposal.
