Last chance to apply for Allentown’s Youth Climate Action Fund! | The Valley Ledger

MAYOR TUERK ANNOUNCES ALLENTOWN JOINS BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES’ YOUTH ACTION FUND TO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN ADVANCE OF CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

Allentown is one of 100 cities receiving financial and technical support to spark a wave of youth-focused climate action.

April 10, 2024 – Mayor Tuerk announced today that Allentown will join the new Youth Climate Action Fundwhich will provide technical support and funding to 100 mayors to engage young people ages 15-24 to design, implement and manage urgent climate solutions in cities around the world. Allentown joins the fund alongside other cities from around the world, spanning 38 countries on six continents and representing over 62 million residents.

Under this program, Allentown will receive $50,000 distributed in microgrants to fund a wave of youth-led climate initiatives. From mobilizing tree-planting or awareness campaigns to launching recycling or waste reduction initiatives to participating in mitigation planning or preparedness programs, efforts from the new Youth Climate Action Fund will advance important community goals, such as meeting decarbonization commitments or reducing consumption-related emissions.

Cities that respond to the urgency of the situation and provide the initial $50,000 within six months will receive an additional $100,000 over the course of a year to support additional youth-led projects.

As part of the Youth Climate Action Fund, Mayor Tuerk has launched an open call for new and ambitious climate action initiatives led by young people. Youth-led and youth-serving organisations, including young residents aged 15-24, are encouraged to visit the website here to complete an interest form, learn more and submit ideas for funding opportunity. These ideas can include:

• Youth-led initiatives for awareness-raising, education, research and development, These include: youth-led climate education programs, youth climate hackathons, youth-developed climate surveys and research, youth-informed clubs or curricula, and youth-designed public art and awareness campaigns.
• Youth-led projects to mitigate and adapt to climate change, These include youth-led campaigns for community gardens, tree planting, reforestation and urban agriculture, youth-managed recycling and waste reduction programs, and youth-led climate resilience workshops and disaster preparedness programs.
• Co-managed Youth Climate Action Plans, These include: partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to promote climate-related policy ideas, decisions or actions, or the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards.

The City of Allentown plans to award 15 to 25 microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the scope of the project. The projects must be completed by the end of 2024.

Information provided to TVL by:
Genesis Ortega
Communications Manager
Mayor’s Office
http://www.AllentownPA.gov