Long Beach is accepting applications as part of the Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Program, where groups can receive $5,000 grants for projects that support climate change mitigation and environmental justice.
Applicants can submit proposals for projects from Friday, June 28 to Friday, July 12. Projects must support youth ages 15 to 25 in designing, producing and overseeing urgent climate solutions that further the City’s climate action goals.
“Engaging local youth is crucial to creating a more sustainable and climate-resilient Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “Their innovative ideas deserve our support, and I am proud that the ClimateLB Program will allow us to fund projects that specifically center the perspective, involvement and benefit of young people.”
The program will aid in fulfilling the City’s 10-year community investment plan and the West Side Promise. Italso 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 City will choose projects that invest in youth and the green economy, prioritizing proposals from youth-serving organizations that address climate change mitigation and adaptation actions in West Long Beach, as well as other issues related to environmental justice, and equity.
Selected projects must focus on one or more of the following themes:
- 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.
Funds will be administered to grant awardees by Sept. 30 and the full grant award must be expended by Dec. 31.
The Youth Climate Action Fund is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and is administered by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
For more details about the ClimateLB Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Program and updates regarding the grant award process, visit the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability website at lbcity.info/climatelb.