YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FUND

CALLING ALL YOUTH LEADERS AGES 15 - 24!

The City will contract eligible youth-led projects, up to $4,999 each, across Oʻahu that design, develop, and implement solutions that meet pressing local needs aligned to City climate goals. Applications will be accepted starting late July — stay tuned and subscribe for updates!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Each project must be led by at least two youth leaders and one of the following types of organizations:

  • Youth-led organization (e.g. youth clubs or groups)

  • Youth-serving organization (adult-led organizations supporting young people)

  • Sponsor organization, such as City agencies, schools or other educational institutions, museums, or community organizations

All organizations must be a legally registered entity, be recognized as a non-profit or charitable organization under local laws (unless a public entity), and have a bank account in the organization’s name.

People plant coastal plants on a beach together.

PROJECT THEMES

Projects will need to be in an event, campaign, or educational format and should fall under one of the following three themes:

    • Trees, plants, and invasive species

    • Wetlands and streams

    • Ocean and coastal protection

    • Storms and flooding

    • Increasing temperatures and drought

    • Wildfires

    • Communications, media, and technology

    • Arts and music

    • Renewable energy

    • Mobility and clean transportation

    • Buildings and the built environment

    • Food

    • Potable/non-potable water 

    • Waste and recycling

    • Equity and environmental justice

    • Indigenous knowledge-informed solutions

YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FUND BACKGROUND

The City and County of Honolulu is honored to join Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, empowering young residents ages 15–24 to create and lead climate solutions that support the city’s priorities.

Through this program, Honolulu will launch an innovation competition that invites young people to share their ideas. The strongest proposals will receive funding from a $50,000 grant. City staff will work alongside participants throughout the process, helping them turn their ideas into real projects that improve public spaces, strengthen infrastructure, reduce disaster risks, and build a more resilient community.

Honolulu joins a global network of 300 cities across six continents that are working to strengthen partnerships between local governments and young people to address climate challenges. Honolulu is the only city selected from Hawaiʻi and one of seven municipalities representing Oceania.

News Release
Three logos of the City, Resilience Office and Youth Climate Action Fund.

A Message from Mayor Rick Blangiardi:

“We could not be more excited to tap into the enthusiasm and creativity of the youth of Honolulu to address climate change — which impacts us all, either directly or indirectly. Our young people are full of great ideas and we cannot wait to see how this tremendous opportunity accelerates their innovation and leadership. Thanks to the incredible generosity and vision of Bloomberg Philanthropies, Honolulu will remain at the forefront of confronting climate change, and we will prioritize projects that make a real, tangible, and practical difference in our communities.”