The Town of The Blue Mountains is proud to announce that it is one of 100 municipalities worldwide that will receive funding and technical assistance to support youth-driven climate action.
The Town will receive $50,000 USD to distribute microgrants to fund youth-led climate initiatives. From mobilizing tree-planting or public education campaigns to launching recycling or waste reduction initiatives to participating in mitigation planning or preparedness programs, efforts stemming from the new Youth Climate Action Fund will advance critical community goals such as meeting decarbonization commitments or reducing consumption-based emissions.
Kickstarted at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Innovation Studio at COP28, as a part of the Local Climate Action Summit, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund will provide the cities with the tools, techniques, and supports to leverage innovation approaches that invite and foster robust youth collaboration in climate problem-solving and policymaking.
“We talk about sustainability for generations to come, so the actions we take absolutely must include our youth in creating solutions,” says Mayor Andrea Matrosovs. “As a former college and local high school teacher, I am an advocate for uplifting our youth and young adults by supporting their leadership in their own initiatives. Thanks to the funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies we can help make youth-led climate action projects happen in our community and our region. I am honoured to represent one of six Canadian municipalities selected to participate in this program.”
As part of the Youth Climate Action Fund, Mayor Andrea Matrosovs has launched an open call for new and ambitious climate efforts led by young people. These ideas may include:
- Youth-led awareness, education, research, and development initiatives, including: youth-led climate education programs; youth climate hackathons; youth-developed climate surveys and research; youth-informed clubs or curriculum; and youth-designed public art and awareness campaigns.
- Youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects, including: youth-led community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, and urban farming campaigns; youth-managed recycling and waste reduction programs; and youth-produced climate resilience workshops and disaster preparedness programs.
- Co-governed youth climate action plans, including: partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy ideas, decisions, or actions or the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards.
Additional information regarding submission guidelines, eligibility criteria and funding details will be posted on the Town’s webpage when available. Those interested in the Youth Climate Action Fund can also subscribe for project updates.
For more information, visit Bloomberg.org, the Town’s Youth Climate Action Fund webpage or contact:
Nicholas Cloet
Sustainability Coordinator
(519) 599-3131 ext. 235
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.
