Youth Invited to Apply for Grants to Drive Climate Solutions 

Youth Invited to Apply for Grants to Drive Climate Solutions 

DC becomes one of 300 cities participating in the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, spurring a groundswell of local, youth-driven innovation.

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) announced today that grant applications are now open as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund. Grants between $1,000 and $5,000, along with technical assistance, will be awarded to mobilize young residents ages 15–24 in designing and delivering solutions aligned with citywide priorities. The fund is being managed by DOEE and details on applying are available through the DOEE website. 

Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as how well proposed projects align with the District’s climate priorities, the leadership roles youth will be taking in the projects, and the impact of the projects. The District has staff to support implementation from start to finish, helping young residents lead in carrying their plans through to completion. The initiative is designed to empower young people to tackle climate challenges with results-oriented projects, while also strengthening trust with local government.

“The Youth Climate Action Fund is helping city halls around the world work alongside hundreds of thousands of young people to take action on city climate challenges and improve their communities,” said Patricia E. Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “They are showing how local government can be a partner on issues youth and residents care deeply about – and they are building trust along the way. We look forward to expanding on these efforts and inspiring a new generation of civic leaders.”  
 

A survey reported in April 2026 of the program’s prior youth participants showed that their trust in local government leadership increased by 22%, as did their confidence in their own ability to address environmental challenges, rising by 25%.   
 

To date, more than 300,000 young people across five continents have taken part in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund—working with their city halls to create over 1,600 green spaces, plant over 1.8 million plants and 235,000 trees, develop nearly 5,000 gardens, launch 268 composting stations, and collect more than 405,000 pounds of trash and recyclables—producing visible improvements in their communities and bettering quality of life for residents worldwide.