Young Novocastrians have another chance to design and deliver local solutions to climate change with applications opening tomorrow for $150,000 in funding through City of Newcastle's Youth Climate Action grants program.
Newcastle was one of only three Australian cities selected to receive $75,000 late last year from the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Youth Climate Action Fund.
City of Newcastle selected 12 projects to share in the grants, which led to initiatives such as a youth climate action summit, upcycling and recycling programs, and multi-media climate action projects.
Blue Minds co-creators Cooper Chapman and Kal Glanzing join City of Newcastle's Dr Heather Stevens and a group of students from a variety of local high schools at Dixon Park Beach for the Blue Minds Youth Ocean Leadership summit.The initiative proved so popular, City of Newcastle exhausted its initial allocation and was able to successfully apply to Bloomberg Philanthropies for the second round of funding.
City of Newcastle's Executive Manager of Environment and Sustainability Marnie Kikken said it's vital we empower the next generation to have a meaningful role in achieving our net zero emissions objectives in the Newcastle Environment Strategy.
"We're thrilled to support even more young people in designing and delivering local climate action projects that will bring Newcastle closer to reaching the target of net zero emissions by 2040," Ms Kikken said.
"This expanded round of funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies allows us to not only amplify the voices of young people but also provide them with resources to ensure their priorities are front and centre in our city's climate strategy."
City of Newcastle's Climate Change and Sustainability Manager Dr Heather Stevens said microgrants of between $1,500 and $7,500 will be available for 15 to 24-year-olds or organisations that represent them.
"If you have an idea about how to tackle the climate crisis, now is the chance to apply and make it happen," Dr Stevens said.
"The last round funded a diverse range of projects, from upcycling programs to youth leadership training, so it's great to build on that momentum with this new round of grants."
Blue Minds Youth Ocean Leadership was one of the recipients of the initial round of funding, using the allocation to organise a free leadership summit for high school students at Dixon Park Surf Club today.
Program co-creator Kal Glanzing, one of Australia's leading youth ocean and climate champions, and creator of the documentary Rising Up, said the grant helped continue Blue Minds' mission of tackling eco-anxiety and creating a wave of change amongst young people.
"Australian youth are going to be disproportionately impacted by climate change and they want to understand how they can rewrite the future for the better," Mr Glanzing said.
"We are grateful that with support from City of Newcastle we can empower students in Newcastle and provide them with practical tools to address their climate change concerns.
"It's exciting to think that the students who attended the Blue Minds leadership summit today, will have an opportunity to apply for a grant that can help bring their ideas to life."
Applications for the new round of Youth Climate Action Fund grants open on 12 March and close on 13 April 2025.
Information webinars will be held on 19 March and 2 April 2025.
