YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FUND

CALLING ALL YOUTH LEADERS AGES 15 - 24!

The City is supporting eligible youth-led projects, up to $4,999 each, across Oʻahu that design, develop, and implement climate solutions that meet pressing local needs.

Applications are now being accepted through September 7th, 2026!

APPLICATION FORM

Download the fillable application below and submit via email to ycaf@honolulu.gov by 11:59 p.m. on September 7, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us before you submit!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Each project must be led by at least two youth leaders between 15-24 years old and one of the following types of mentor organizations:

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

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

  • Schools (public, private, charter), universities, and other educational institutions serving youth ages 15-24

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.

DEFINING YOUR PROJECT

Projects should be in an event, campaign, or educational format. Projects must also align with one of the three Project Themes below, and one of the Project Categories listed under that Theme.

    • 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

FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR MENTOR ORGANIZATIONS

Funding may not be issued to individuals. For organizations to receive project funds, they must meet the requirement(s) in the applicable tier.

TIER 1: $1,000 - $2,499

TIER 2: $1,000 - $2,499

TIER 3: $2,500 - $4,999

For organizations that accept credit card transactions, no further conditions must be met.

For organizations that don’t accept credit card transactions and need payment via check, VSS registration is required to process this payment method.

For organizations that propose a project that will invoice over $2,499, the organization will only be able to receive a check and must be registered with VSS and HCE. If not already HCE compliant, it is highly unlikely this would be approved with enough time to complete services by 03/31/2027.

For additional requirements, please review the application form above. For information on VSS and HCE, see the Resources section of the webpage.

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, the City is launching an innovation competition that invites young people to share their project 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.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

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.”