New Orleans is among over 90 cities worldwide receiving additional funding and technical assistance to empower young leaders in climate action.
NEW ORLEANS — Today, the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families reminded residents that the City of New Orleans has been selected for Round 2 of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund (BYCAF), reinforcing the City’s commitment to empowering young people as leaders in climate resilience. Through this initiative, New Orleans will receive an additional $100,000 in grant funding to support at least 17 youth-led climate projects, following its participation in the program’s inaugural round. Young residents ages 15-24, supported by youth-serving organizations, are encouraged to visit nola.gov/youthclimatefund to learn more about the program and submit project ideas.
“Our young people are some of our greatest champions for climate action, and their energy and innovation are critical to securing a more resilient future for New Orleans,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Round 2 of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund builds on our commitment to ensuring that young leaders have the tools, support, and opportunities to shape our City’s sustainability efforts. We are embedding youth engagement into city operations in a way that will create a lasting impact and allow youth-led projects to flourish beyond this program.”
The City’s participation in Round 2 is being managed by the Office of Resilience and Sustainability (ORS) and the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families (OYF), in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF).
EXPANDING YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN CLIMATE ACTION
This program is a key step in embedding youth participation in the City’s climate action strategy by:
- Providing youth with resources, mentorship, and funding to implement high-impact climate projects that align with the City’s Climate Action Plan.
- Creating a platform for young leaders to co-govern climate initiatives and partner with city officials on long-term sustainability goals.
- Developing a selection committee that includes City officials and community leaders to review applications and ensure an equitable grant process.
- Sustaining successful projects beyond initial funding, allowing for long-term integration into City programs.
“Youth-led climate initiatives are not just about the future—they are the present force driving real change,” said Asya Howlett, Director of OYF. “Investing in youth voice and action is not only in alignment with the New Orleans Youth Master Plan, it also means empowering the next generation of leaders with the resources they need to turn bold ideas into lasting impact. When we stand behind young changemakers, we stand for a more just, sustainable, and resilient world.”
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS & TIMELINE
The Open Call for project proposals launches on February 17, inviting young leaders (ages 15-24) and youth-serving organizations to apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to fund various youth-led climate initiatives that align with the City’s Climate Action Plan priority areas:
- Feb. 17: Public announcement of Round 2 for New Orleans.
- Feb. 25: NOLA’s BYCAF Informational Session Webinar
- Review the recorded webinar here.
- March 10 & 12: Virtual BYCAF Office Hours
- Sign up for Virtual Office Hours on Monday, March 10, 4-6 PM here.
- Sign up for Virtual Office Hours on Wednesday, March 12, 3:30-5:30 PM here.
- March 17: NOLA’s microgrant application deadline
- April 22: Global announcement of microgrant recipients (Earth Day)
- May/early June: In-person Kick-Off Celebration with Mayor (TBD)
- Aug. 29: Mayoral engagement event with grantees at Katrina 20 Summit.
- Oct. 31: Round 2 projects must be completed by this date.
- Late October/early November: Mayoral engagement event with grantees to wrap up Round 2
Micro-grants will be reviewed and awarded based on criteria such as:
- Climate Impact: Projects must align with New Orleans’ Climate Action Plan and resilience goals.
- Youth Leadership: Each project must have at least three young adults as project leads.
- Equity & Sustainability: Projects should prioritize diverse, community-driven solutions and have the potential for long-term integration into City efforts.
“Youth-led initiatives are essential to advancing New Orleans’ climate goals, and this program offers an opportunity to establish long-term support for youth engagement in climate action,” said Greg Nichols, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer. “We look forward to working with young climate leaders, equipping them with the resources they need to make a lasting impact.”
EMPOWERING YOUNG LEADERS FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE
Since its launch, the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund has supported more than 1,100 youth-led climate projects in cities worldwide. Round 2 builds on this momentum by strengthening partnerships between towns and youth, ensuring these efforts become a routine part of local governance.
This global initiative was kickstarted at COP28 as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Innovation Studio. The program is delivered by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) in partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, with C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy collaborating as learning partners.
HOW TO APPLY
Young residents ages 15-24, supported by youth-serving organizations, are encouraged to visit nola.gov/youthclimatefund to learn more about the program and submit project ideas. Applications open on February 17, and grants will be awarded in April 2025.
Proposed project applications must be submitted by a youth-serving organization that can accept grant funds. If the youth-led group is not an incorporated entity, they may partner with a fiscal agent who can take and administer funds.
For more information about the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, visit bloomberg.org.
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