How to Apply
The Youth Climate Justice Fund provides core flexible funding to emerging youth climate justice groups. In 2023, we committed funding to 50+ groups globally with a total of $700,000 from 1,800 applications. Our 2024 Applications Call has now closed. Eligible local and national groups were able to apply for grants of up to USD 20,000 from June 3rd to July 1st, 23:59 UTC. Criteria and grantmaking process are described below. You can still review our FAQ guides, available in Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili, for more information.
What are the criteria for applying?
You should consider applying if:
Your group or collective is led by young people aged 35 years and below. In order to be eligible for a YCJF grant, the majority of your leadership must be young people or the individuals with decision making power should be aged 35 years and below.
Your group, network or collective is based in East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia, and North America.*
*Applicants from high-income countries should belong to a minority or underserved groups to be considered for funding. Groups that focus solely on international engagements without any community-based work are ineligible to apply.
You believe in and exhibit inclusive organizing, collective action and intersectional movement building.
Your group, network or collective is based in North America or Western Europe but is led by young people who are discriminated against and/or marginalized based on class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, background, etc.
Non-partisan, non-violent, and legal movements.
We specifically look for groups who are:
Cultivating diverse leadership rooted in fair and equitable climate action with community power.
Raising ambitions and commitments on climate & socio-environmental justice.
Holding policymakers accountable to their promises and strengthening community power.
Our Process
1. Youth Climate Justice Fund opens the call
The call is open for 4 weeks, youth climate and environmental justice groups around the globe can apply. Non-English speaking groups are welcome to apply in Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish or Swahili.
2. Applications are screened by the YCJF staff
Check that groups meet basic eligibility criteria and are aligned with YCJF values and principles.
3. Regional Committee review
Review of proposals per regional priorities and contacting groups to better understand their needs.
4. Steering Committee voting
Each Steering Committee member ranks groups based on the YCJF principles, values and key funding priorities.
5. Due diligence process
YCJF staff and Regional Leads reach out to the selected groups and support them to receive the funding.
(📍We're here at the moment!)
6. Grants are awarded!
YCJF staff and Regional Leads work with partners to speed the process for groups to receive funding.
7. Join the YCJF community
Groups are invited to join the YCJF welcome call and to co-develop youth-to-youth capacity development resources.
Ready to learn more?
Download the application guides, which include FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and the Submittable application form questions in your preferred language to help you prepare for future opportunities. The application window is now closed, but subscribe to our newsletter for updates on upcoming calls and other important information!
हिंदी में।
हिंदी में आवेदन करने के लिए गाइड डाउनलोड करें।
हिंदी में आवेदन करने के लिए गाइड डाउनलोड करें।Frequently Asked Questions
As we're trying to build access and conditions for meaningful shared ownership and participation in our processes, we're committed to evolve and change to ensure that youth-led climate justice movements are able to better participate and access support.
What do we mean by 'addressing climate and socio-environmental justice'?
We mean solutions, campaigns, and projects that address the climate crisis by jointly tackling marginalisation, exploitation, and oppression, and enhancing community power, equity and justice.
What do we mean by 'youth-led'?
We believe that "youth" holds many meanings and contexts depending on worldviews and contexts. We believe that balancing between older youth under 35 years old who are discriminated against or marginalised based on class, ethnicity, Indigenous Peoples' identity, gender, etc. and very young activists who also face similar structural barriers, is key.
What is the 'youth-to-youth' capacity program?
Young people supporting each other in peer-to-peer capacity development are the best providers of development services due to their shared experiences and understanding. We will co-build and refine the youth-to-youth capacity development depending on each cohort of grantee partners.
How is the YCJF funded?
Our initial set-up costs and seed funding is being provided by individuals and philanthropies - rather than private or listed companies. We do not accept funding from anyone who is not aligned with our principles and values.
Do applications have to be in English?
Our application is available in 7 languages (Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili).
Do we need to be legally registered?
No, it is not mandatory. In numerous cases, informal groups have made a substantial impact without formal registration or lacking the necessary resources to register. We are dedicated to discovering innovative ways to support such groups.
When was the deadline to submit my proposal?
The application window was open between 3rd June to 1st July 2024.
We can ask up to $20000 USD, but can we apply even if our collective needs more funding?
At this stage, local and national groups can only apply to up to $20,000.