The City of Atlanta has awarded $40,000 in microgrants through its Atlanta Youth Climate Action Fund. Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Youth Climate Action Fund was launched to activate young people ages of 15 – 24 years to design, produce and govern urgent climate solutions to build a more sustainable and resilient Atlanta.

“The Youth Climate Action Fund can empower our city’s young innovators to develop climate solutions designed for the future,” said Mayor Dickens. “There is no denying that we are in a global climate crisis, and these young minds represent hope for real and necessary change in how we protect our environment. Thank you to Bloomberg Philanthropies and the other partners involved for helping our Administration make additional investments in our youth, and for assisting our efforts in making Atlanta a resilient city built for the future.”

The City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience partnered with 21st Century Leaders, an Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on youth leadership development, to award $40,000 in microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to implement youth-led climate solutions that advance Atlanta’s climate action goals. Ten projects teams that include 47 youth from across metro Atlanta were selected to receive funding through the fund’s inaugural program.  

2024 Atlanta Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Awardees

• Amnesty North Atlanta Greenhouse, North Atlanta High School, $3,500

• Bubbling Creek Erosion Garden Project, Chamblee High School, $2,500

• Georgia Youth Climate Campaign, North Atlanta High School and Decatur High School, $5,000

• Green Generation Campus Tour, Morehouse College, $5,000

• Midnight Riot Workshops and Clean-Up, West End, $5,000

• One Degree Campaign, Energy Conservation, Georgia Tech, $3,875

• Peoplestown Tree Planting, Maynard Jackson High School, $4,550

• The Green Ink Initiative: Youth Comics for Climate Action, Georgia Tech, $4,000

• The Plastathon, Plastic Reduction, Emory University, $1,575

• Zero Waste Zone Station @ 5 Points Community Garden, Georgia Tech and Savannah College of Art and Design, $5,000

The Atlanta Youth Climate Action Fund Selection Committee, a diverse intergenerational group of community leaders, reviewed over 60 applications. Projects were scored based on alignment with the City of Atlanta’s sustainability and resilience goals, clearly defined project goals, budget and feasibility to complete the projects before the December 31, 2024, deadline.

Atlanta Youth Climate Action Fund Selection Committee

• Avery Evans, Grantmaking Associate, Park Pride

• Alex Ortiz, Executive Director of Sustainability and Building Operations, Georgia Tech

• Alexis Harris, Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist, City of Atlanta, Department of Grants & Community Development

• Charles Orgbon, Manager, Climate Change & Sustainability Services, E&Y 

• Kate Hewitt, Executive Director, 21^st Century Leaders

• Zoe Landers, Dual Degree Engineering and Environmental Justice Fellow, Clark Atlanta University

“Authentically engaging youth in the decisions we make to advance the City’s climate action goals is a top priority,” said Chandra Farley, Chief Sustainability Officer. “Launching Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund to invest in youth-led projects has been a highlight for our office and we look forward to building upon this engagement for even greater impact.”  

Launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Atlanta was selected for the Youth Climate Action Fund alongside 100 cities from around the world, which together spans 38 countries across six continents, representing over 62 million residents.

By meeting Bloomberg’s deadline to respond to the urgency of the moment and award microgrants by September 30, the City of Atlanta will be considered to receive an additional $100,000 to support even more youth-driven projects over the course of one year. Young residents ages 15 - 24 are encouraged to visit Atlanta’s Youth Climate Action Fund webpage to stay informed of future opportunities supported by the fund.