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Young people taking climate action

Young people across Yarra are coming together to talk about the climate emergency and take action.

Yarra City Council is excited to launch Youth Climate Action Fund Grants in August 2026, giving young people aged 15-24 the chance to turn bold climate ideas into local climate action projects.

Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global Youth Climate Action Fund, this initiative is part of an international effort empowering young people to design and deliver solutions to local climate challenges.

In Yarra, grants of $1,500 to $7,000 will support youth-led projects that make a positive impact locally. 

Join us for a drop-in information session on Wednesday 12 August, 4.30–5.30pm at Collingwood Library, and find out how you can make the most of this grant opportunity.

Read more below. 

About Bloomberg Philanthropies' Youth Climate Action Fund 

Across more than 300 cities worldwide, young people have already led projects like creating green spaces, running education campaigns, improving waste systems and building community resilience.

Whether it’s tackling waste, boosting urban nature, raising climate awareness, or strengthening community resilience, we want to hear your creative solutions.

This is your chance to shape Yarra’s climate future—by young people, for the community.
 

Eligibility

Individuals are welcome to participate but cannot apply on their own.

Individuals must be auspiced (supported and formally backed) by one of the eligible partner organisations listed below. Individuals cannot apply on their own.

Organisations that work with young people may apply directly, provided the application is developed in partnership with young people.

Applications must be submitted by one of the following organisation types:

•    Incorporated association
•    Charitable foundation
•    School
•    University or TAFE institution
•    Social enterprise

It is expected that the project will be led by young people and that the organisation will take responsibility for assisting young people to lead and apply for the funding.  

If successful, the organisation will:

•    Receive and manage the funds
•    Provide coverage for the project under their public liability insurance
•    Ensure the project is completed and acquitted on time
•    Provide advice and support to the young people when needed.

If you are a young person with an idea but are in need of a partner organisation, please contact [email protected]    

Funded projects must align with one or more of Council’s Climate Emergency Plan key areas of work which include:

•    In Yarra every choice we make and every action we take responds to the climate emergency.
•    Yarra’s community, especially those most at risk, are connected, supported and empowered to build climate resilience.
•    Yarra is active, empowered and raising our voice together for a stronger climate emergency response.
•    Yarra is a leading and prosperous zero-emissions city.
•    Yarra is Caring for Country.
•    In Yarra everyone lives and works in comfortable and climate-safe homes and buildings, supported by climate resilient public spaces and infrastructure.
•    Yarra is transitioning to a circular economy by consuming less, repairing, sharing, and repurposing more, and sending less waste to landfill.
 

Important dates 

Applications open Monday 17 August and close Monday 28 September 2026.

Grant funds will be distributed in November 2026.

Funded projects must be completed between November 2026 and Thursday 15 April 2027.

 

More information 

Subscribe to Yarra Environment News for grant updates or email [email protected].

Young people in Yarra recognise the urgency and scale of the climate crisis and want to be part of growing climate action and encourage other students to step up too. 

Students at Melbourne Girls' College in Richmond show us the power of humans and renewable energy at their annual Pedal Power Cinema Night and Sustainability Fair - watch here.

Schools taking climate action in Yarra - Melbourne Girls College

Yarra’s support for schools and young people:

Yarra City Council’s New Deal for Schools aims to provide travel choices by creating a safe and comfortable environment for students, parents and staff to walk, ride, or scoot to school. Active transport is a great way to reduce emissions. Stay tuned for more information about this program as it gets developed further. 

Other support and opportunities for schools and young people

  • Bike Ed : VicRoads (FYI there’s a bicycle trailer at Fitzroy Police available to borrow)

Yarra’s support for schools and young people:

  • Environmental Education - Merri Creek Management Committee (mcmc.org.au) - Incursions and excursions about our local environment and waterways are offered to schools by qualified environmental educators at the Merri Creek Management Committee. These are available free of charge thanks to funding from the Cities of Yarra, Darebin, Merri-bek, and Whittlesea.         

  • Other biodiversity programs and resources offered to residents in Yarra can be useful for schools, namely:

  • Free mulch can be collected from the Depot in Clifton Hill

Other support and opportunities for schools and young people:

  • VINC - Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-op, Fairfield

Yarra’s support for schools and young people:

Yarra’s libraries have energy efficiency kits and other gadgets that you can borrow for free to help you undertake an energy audit. Library of Things | Yarra Libraries (yarracity.vic.gov.au)

Other support and opportunities for schools and young people

  • SWEP offers electricity monitoring for schools that are already monitoring their water

Yarra’s support for schools and young people:

Subsidised compost bins and worm farms. City of Yarra's Compost Revolution | Why Compost?

  • Access to a Dropbox folder with a variety of teaching resources 

 

Other support and opportunities for schools and young people:

Yarra’s support for schools and young people:

Talking with young children about climate action (youtube.com) Psychologist and Adjunct Associate Professor Dr Susie Burke, along with local early years educator Jenna Naim and parents, discuss ways in which to talk to young children about climate change. They also explore how to build these conversations, and a connection to the earth, into everyday life.

Talking with young people about climate change (youtube.com) Hear from local high school students about what gives them hope and leads them to take climate action. Psychologist and Adjunct Associate Professor Dr Susie Burke also discusses how parents and carers can help young people learn more climate change. 

Other support - Youth Wellbeing & Climate Distress:

Youth Empowerment & Engagement in Democracy:

  • climateclever.org  measure and reduce your school’s carbon and environmental impact. Join the program and access curriculum resources.

Young People at a Crossroads was a research project about how second-generation immigrant young people and their parents are responding to climate change in Manchester and Melbourne. Some students from Yarra were involved. Several resources accompany the creative book, including an educator’s guide and an eco-anxiety workshop. 

Students at Melbourne Girls' College in Richmond show us the power of humans and renewable energy at their annual Pedal Power Cinema Night and Sustainability Fair.