‘‘We have to back young leaders as if
we expect them to succeed’’
With these words from Hilary Pennington, Executive Vice President of the Ford Foundation, “The Rise of Youth-Led Funds” panel was kicked off. Organized by the Youth Climate Justice Fund in partnership with the Natural Resources and Climate Change team at the Ford Foundation, this event took place during the New York Climate Action Week 2024.
The event aimed to highlight the crucial role young people play in addressing the complex climate and environmental crisis, and this message set the tone for the insightful discussions that followed, including a refreshing fireside chat with the Chair of The Elders and the first female president of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
"We believe the world is running short of leaders who embody community and its needs."
It was one of the first statements made by Joshua Amponsem, our Strategy Director, as he shared the story of YCJF, which provides core flexible funding to historically underfunded youth climate justice groups.
In turn, Kat Cadungog, Executive Director of the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship - The Youth Harbor (Canada), reflected that youth are "uniquely positioned as moral authorities in this crisis because the decisions made today have a direct impact on our lives."
As organizations strive to support youth-led movements, it’s crucial to acknowledge that meaningful change goes beyond simply offering financial assistance. Paige Andrew, Chief of Programs at FRIDA | The Young Feminist Fund, highlights this by stating, "It's not enough to just give young folks money and hope for the best. It's really important to work with them, listen to them and trust them."
The panel continued by discussing effective ways to support youth-led initiatives, emphasizing that it's not only about the actions taken but also the funding and support structures in place. The conversation highlighted the need to evolve practices to better align with the realities faced by these organizations, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and backing to thrive.
"At FRIDA, we try as much as possible to place focal points who are from the country or region, speak the language, understand the political context, and work very closely with the groups," explained Paige Andrew.
As the discussion progressed, Kat Cadungog emphasized the importance of flexibility in funding, stating: "We empower [funders] to deploy rapidly and responsibly for a turnaround time of less than two weeks, sometimes as quick as 24 hours."
After the panel, award-winning artist Madame Gandhi, took the stage and captivated the audience with a powerful message:
"The more we fall in love with our planet, the more we feel motivated to do something."
Following her stunning and heartfelt musical performance, which emphasized climate awareness and highlighted the beauty of our planet while calling for its urgent protection, Mary Robinson discussed with Mitzi Jonelle Tan and Dominique Palmer, climate activists and members of our Steering Committee, the importance of intergenerational dialogue in activism. She began by highlighting the urgency for faster progress in the climate movement, stating
“I get so cross at some meetings I attend... And then I come to these intergenerational [events] and I get so inspired.”
She also stressed the need for long-term leadership based on science and reason, saying:
“We need long-view leadership... thinking not just of this generation, but future generations.”
The panel concluded with a call for actionable insights on increasing funding, building connections between movements and enhancing youth participation in climate initiatives. Mary Robinson encouraged attendees to advocate for multi-year funding commitments, urging:
“We need to hold our feet to the fire, and we need the voices of young people to really show that.”
As the discussion ended, Dominique Palmer captured the spirit of the event, reminding everyone:
“Hope is always popping out when you least expect it.''
The event concluded with a lively reception, offering attendees a chance to chat, network and celebrate their shared vision for climate action. 🌱
Photos by: Jackie Molloy