Mayor Tuerk announced today that Allentown will join Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Youth Climate Action Fund, which will provide technical assistance and funding for 100 mayors to activate young people ages of 15 – 24 years to design, produce, and govern urgent climate solutions in cities across the globe. Allentown joins the Fund alongside other cities from around the world, which together spans 38 countries across six continents, representing over 62 million residents.

As part of this program, Allentown will receive $50,000 to distribute as microgrants to fund a groundswell of youth-led climate initiatives. 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. 

Cities that respond to the urgency of the moment and commit the initial $50,000 within six months will receive an additional $100,000 to support more youth-driven projects over the course of one year. 

As part of the Youth Climate Action Fund, Mayor Tuerk has launched an open call for new and ambitious climate efforts led by young people. Youth-led and youth serving organizations, including young residents ages 15 - 24 years, are encouraged to visit the webpage here to complete an interest form to learn more and submit ideas for the opportunity to receive funding. These ideas may include:

• Youth-led awareness, education, research, and development initiatives, including: youth-led climate education programs; youth climate hackathons; youth-developed climate surveys and research; youth-informed clubs or curriculum; and youth-designed public art and awareness campaigns.
•  Youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects, including: youth-led community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, and urban farming campaigns; youth-managed recycling and waste reduction programs; and youth-produced climate resilience workshops and disaster preparedness programs.
• Co-governed youth climate action plans, including: partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy ideas, decisions, or actions or the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards.

The City of Allentown anticipates awarding 15 to 25 microgrants ranging from $1,000 - $5,000 based on the scope of the project. Projects must be completed by the end of 2024.