Youth Climate Action Fund

We know many young people in Melbourne care deeply about climate change, and want to be a part of bold climate action initiatives and see meaningful change. 

City of Melbourne, with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, is offering funding for climate change efforts led by young people. 

From education programs, to creating plans, to taking action – if you have a bold idea for our municipality, we want to hear about it. 

We are offering micro grants of $1500 - $7500 for projects led by young people, supported by organisations that work with young people. 

For more information about the Youth Climate Action Grants you can email Krystel Bendle, Youth Project Coordinator.

• Round Opens: 3 June 2024 at 9am (AEST) 
• Round Closes: 30 June 2024 at 11:59pm (AEST) 
• Notifications of application outcome: July 2024
• Projects must be fully completed by: 31 December 2024 (no extensions will be considered)
• Project aquittals to be completed by: 31 January 2024

Applications will be reviewed by an assessment panel before final decisions are made by management.

$1500 to $7500 (excluding GST)

To be eligible to apply the application must be made by one of the following organisation types in partnership with young people

• Incorporated association
• Public Company 
• Charitable Foundation
• School
• University / TAFE institution
• Social Enterprise

It is expected that the project will be primarily led by young people and that the organisation will take responsibility for assisting the young people to apply for the funding. If successful they will receive and manage the funds, provide coverage for the activity under their public liability insurance, ensure the project is completed and acquitted on time and provide advice and support to the young people when needed.

If you are unsure if your organisation is eligible to apply please email Krystel Bendle.

Funded projects will support at least one of the City of Melbourne climate priorities below

Emissions 

Our city is powered by renewables, uses active transport and has a circular economy 

Nature 

Our natural environment is cared for and cools the city 

Built environment 

Our assets and infrastructure are built for extreme weather 

People and Governance 

Our community is connected and prepared for extreme weather 

To learn more about our climate priorities visit our website

Emissions

• Organic food waste initiatives
• Circular projects, such as:
  
  • recycling
  • reducing waste
  • upcycling
• Green and active transportation initiatives, such as bike sharing

Nature

• Initiatives to create community gardens or urban farming projects to promote sustainable food production and reduce carbon emissions
• Reforestation and tree planting to improve green spaces and increase canopy cover for better air quality and climate resilience
• Initiatives to address flooding and drought

Built environment

• Greening rooftops
• Initiatives to cool the city (can be aimed at people, nature or both)

People and governance

• Climate education programs - may target schools or communities, raising awareness on climate change
• Climate hackathons, proposing innovative solutions to address the climate challenge
• Climate surveys and research
• Public art and awareness campaigns
• Initiatives to create green jobs or raise awareness of good green jobs for young people.
• Climate resilience, extreme weather and disaster preparedness workshops
• Climate action plans for your community

• Awareness, education, research and co-development initiatives
• Climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives
• Supplies for projects
• Funds to enable young people to participate
• Initiatives within the City of Melbourne

• religious or political organisations or activities
• commercial activities and/or organisations
• projects that are already funded
• operational costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, Incorporation fees etc
• activities that denigrate or exclude parts of the community or that breach Commonwealth or State anti-vilification laws
• fundraising activities
• scholarships or direct support for young people or families
• speaker honorariums
• events not related to youth climate initiatives
• projects that have already commenced or occurred
• initiatives that take place outside of the City of Melbourne
• incomplete applications
• late submissions