As cities across the nation continue contending with the effects of climate change, Long Beach has kicked off the second iteration of funding for the ClimateLB Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Program.
This initiative finances the design and production of timely climate solutions created by youth ages 15 to 24. The ClimateLB Program also aligns with the goals of the Long Beach Climate Action Plan, Strategic Plan for Youth and Emerging Adults and Racial Equity and Reconciliation Plan.
“The ClimateLB Program centers our local youth and the critical role they play in creating a more livable and climate-resilient Long Beach and increases support for youth-led sustainability initiatives in West Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “By more than doubling the grant funding this year, we are underscoring our commitment to investing in youth leadership opportunities and encouraging innovation and civic engagement, both of which are necessary to solve the difficult climate challenges our communities face.”
The program will give $85,000 in grant funding, with $5,000 microgrants being distributed to 17 local youth-led climate projects. Proposals from youth-serving organizations addressing climate change mitigation, environmental justice, equity and adaptation actions in West Long Beach will be prioritized by the City.
According to the City, the selected projects must examine one or more of the themes below:
- Youth-Led Reforestation and Tree-Planting Projects: Projects that mobilize youth volunteers to plant trees, improve urban green spaces and increase urban canopy coverage for better air quality and climate resilience.
- Youth-Led Climate Education Efforts: Educational initiatives led by youth that target local schools and communities to increase awareness and understanding of climate issues.
- Youth Climate Ambassadors Programs: Programs that engage youth to provide information on local climate and environmental resources to local businesses, nonprofits and residents.
- Youth-Designed Public Art and Awareness Campaigns: Partnerships with youth artists to create public art installations and awareness campaigns that convey the urgency of climate action and the City’s climate goals.
Program applications can be submitted now through Monday, March 17. Grant awardees will be announced in early April, the microgrant funds will be supplied in early May and the full grant awards must be spent by October 31.
The Youth Climate Action Fund is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies alongside United Cities and Local Governments and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University and dispensed by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
In 2024, the program gave $5,000 microgrants to eight youth-led local projects centering around reforestation and tree-planting, climate education, climate ambassadorships and public art and awareness.
To learn more about the ClimateLB Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Program, visit lbcity.info/climatelb.
