Are you part of a youth-led group driving climate and socio-environmental action through community power? Do you work on building and advocating for fair and equitable climate and environmental solutions? We are thrilled to announce our open call for applications for the 2026 grant cycle!
At the Youth Climate Justice Fund, we support youth-led movements that offer creative, inclusive, and community-owned solutions to climate and environmental challenges. We are seeking dynamic, dedicated groups committed to advancing fair and equitable climate and environmental action worldwide.
Applications open until: March 1st, 23:59 UTC
Young people have consistently been at the forefront of transformative change, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. That’s why the Youth Climate Justice Fund is excited to announce a new call for applications to support youth-led movements advocating for equitable climate and socio-environmental solutions. Today, as the world faces growing polarization, social challenges, and the severe impacts of climate and environmental change, youth leadership is more urgent than ever.
This year, youth movements have once again demonstrated their power to drive change, mobilizing communities and advocating for equitable, just policies. Building on a successful grant program in 2024, which supported exceptional youth-led groups in underfunded countries, we are offering grants of up to $40,000 USD.
Who Can Apply?
We support young people addressing climate and environmental issues through an interconnected lens, with particular focus on groups tackling multiple challenges at once. Guided by our commitment to equity, we prioritize funding and resources for communities that have historically been underrepresented—especially young people who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, queer, and members of local communities.
We are especially interested in groups that can show how their work contributes to:
- Raising ambition and commitments on climate action
- Holding policymakers accountable and strengthening community power
- Cultivating the next generation of diverse organizers grounded in community and climate justice
To be eligible for a YCJF grant, a group, network, or collective must be led by young people aged 35 and under, with the majority of leadership or decision-makers in this age range. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to inclusive organizing, collective action, and intersectional movement building. All movements must operate according to non-partisan, non-violent, and legal principles.
Applications are open to youth groups worldwide. Applicants from high-income countries must belong to minority or underserved communities to be eligible. Groups focused exclusively on international work, without community-based engagement, are not eligible to apply.
Applications are accepted in seven languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Swahili, and Hindi. Frequently Asked Questions and Application Form Guides are also available in all of these languages to support applicants and can be accessed here.
What YCJF Offers
- Flexible core funding: Grants of up to $40,000 USD to support grassroots youth-led climate and socio-environmental movements, initiatives, and solutions.
- Capacity streghtening: Opportunities to strengthen skills and impact through learning and collaboration.
How To Apply
Interested groups can visit the YCJF website to check the criteria and process.
Stay Connected
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