Youth Climate Justice Fund

The Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) is a philanthropic initiative that provides funding to youth-led collectives working at the intersection of climate justice and socio-environmental equity. The Fund is grounded in values of inclusive, participatory decision-making and supports movements that prioritize community power, intersectionality, and fairness in climate action. YCJF is not affiliated with private corporations or listed companies and is instead supported by individuals and aligned philanthropic institutions. Its funding strategy centers on ensuring that underrepresented youth voices can actively shape climate discourse and intervention, especially those from communities that have been historically marginalized. The YCJF 2026 application round is now open, offering grants of up to $20,000 USD for local groups and up to $40,000 USD for national organizations. These awards are intended to bolster the capacities of emerging youth-led movements tackling climate and environmental challenges within their communities. The Fund is explicitly open to groups based in regions including East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia, and North America. However, groups based in high-income countries must demonstrate that they belong to underrepresented or marginalized communities in order to be considered for funding. Notably, international or regionally focused organizations without community-based work are not eligible for this round. To be eligible, the applying group must be led by individuals aged 35 and under. While legal registration is not a requirement, unregistered groups must demonstrate the ability to receive funds through a fiscal sponsor or a trusted partner. Applications are accepted in multiple languages including Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili, and can be submitted through the Submittable platform. The application process includes seven key stages, beginning with a four-week open call. Regional Committees conduct the initial screening, followed by detailed proposal reviews. Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for further engagement before final decisions are made jointly by the Regional and Grants Committees. The evaluation process emphasizes alignment with YCJF’s values: holding policymakers accountable, cultivating diverse youth leadership, and raising ambition on climate and socio-environmental justice. Applications must highlight how their proposed work contributes to these objectives and must include a clear explanation of community reach, leadership demographics, and past achievements. While applications are reviewed on a rolling basis during the open call, all decisions are expected by mid-2026. If selected, grantees will undergo a due diligence process and are then welcomed into the YCJF community, where they can co-develop capacity-strengthening resources and participate in peer learning programs. The deadline for submission is March 1, 2026, at 23:59 UTC. Groups are encouraged to apply through the online platform but may contact YCJF at [email protected] or [email protected] if alternative submission arrangements are required due to access barriers. Application materials, including the FAQ and full application form, are available for download. YCJF encourages early submission to ensure eligibility and adequate review time. Final funding decisions are based not only on merit but also on regional diversity, thematic balance, and strategic priorities across YCJF’s global framework.