New Orleans Joins Youth Climate Action Fund
05/28/2024
![]() NEW ORLEANS—Mayor LaToya Cantrell recently announced that the City of New Orleans will join Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Youth Climate Action Fund, which will provide technical assistance and funding to activate tens of thousands of young people aged fifteen to twenty-four years to design, produce, and govern urgent climate solutions in cities across the globe. ![]() ![]()
As part of this program, New Orleans has received $50,000 that will be dispersed by the Greater New Orleans Foundation as microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to fund various youth-led climate initiatives that align with the city’s Climate Action Plan priority areas. The number of grants dispersed will vary depending on the amount asked per grant. 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.
New Orleans’ participation is being managed by the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families (OYF) and the Office of Resilience and Sustainability (ORS), along with community partner Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF).
“Being a part of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund allows the City of New Orleans to continue offering young people the resources they deserve to amplify their work as changemakers,” said OYF Director Asya Howlette. “In alignment with the Youth Master Plan and the Big Green Easy, we are excited for the environment centered projects brought to life through this investment.”
Over the last decade, local governments have played a critical role in climate mitigation and adaptation. The City of New Orleans released its first Climate Action Plan in 2017, joining cities around the world in a commitment to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement and to reduce its contribution to climate change. An updated plan was released in 2022, setting ambitious goals to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions fifty percent by 2035 and to achieve net-zero, or carbon neutrality, by 2050, with targeted actions to reduce the city’s carbon footprint in the areas of energy, transportation, waste, economic growth, and adaptation. More information on the city’s climate action plan can be found at nola.gov/climate-action.
“Youth-led organizing and activism was integral to passing the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant investment in climate action in our nation’s history,” said ORS Deputy Chief Resilience Officer Greg Nichols. “This funding is an important step toward harnessing local youth energy on climate action, and the Office of Resilience and Sustainability is excited to engage with local community organizations that are spearheading youth-led initiatives aligned with our city’s path to a net-zero carbon future.”
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 support to leverage innovation approaches that invite and foster robust youth collaboration in climate problem-solving and policymaking. The program will be delivered by United Cities and Local Governments in partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy will collaborate as learning partners.
“Climate change is an all-hands-on-deck challenge, and it’s critical that young people—who have the most at stake—help lead the way,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and 108th Mayor of New York City. “This new fund will help mayors mobilize and empower tomorrow’s leaders to take action today.”
Young residents ages fifteen to twenty-four years that are supported by youth-serving organizations are encouraged to visit nola.gov/youthclimatefund to learn more about the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund and how to submit ideas for the opportunity to receive funding. Applications will open on June 1 and will be available on the above website. The application deadline is July 1, and the winners will be announced at the beginning of August. Cities that respond to the urgency of the moment and commit the initial $50,000 by the end of December 2024 will receive an additional $100,000 to support more youth-driven projects over the course of one year.
Proposed project applications must be submitted by a youth-serving organization that can accept grant funds. If the youth-led group is not an incorporated entity, they may partner with a fiscal agent that can accept and administer funds.
Project ideas may include:
For more information about the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, please visit their website.
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.
Source:City of New Orleans
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