Birmingham Youth are Invited to Lead Climate Solutions Through Bloomberg Philanthropies Fund

From the City of Birmingham

Birmingham, AL — Birmingham residents ages 15–24 are invited to turn their ideas for a healthier, greener, and more resilient city into action through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund. Birmingham is among 300 new cities worldwide selected to participate in the initiative, which empowers young people to design and lead solutions to local climate and environmental challenges.

Through the Youth Climate Action Fund, the City of Birmingham will support eligible youth-led projects with microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, along with technical assistance, mentorship, project planning support and connections to City departments and community partners.

“This is an opportunity for Birmingham’s young people to help shape the future of the city they will inherit,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “Young people are already bringing creativity, urgency and fresh ideas to some of our biggest challenges. We want to put resources behind those ideas and empower the next generation to create real solutions for their neighborhoods and our city.”

Projects must address at least one of Birmingham’s four climate priorities:

• Youth Engagement — empowering young people to lead climate action
• Nature-Based Solutions — using nature to reduce climate impacts
• Healthy Homes — supporting healthier and more energy-efficient living spaces
• Public Health — addressing the health impacts of climate change

“The best solutions are often found closest to the challenges themselves,” said Thomas Yuill, director of the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability. “This program gives Birmingham’s young people the resources, support andplatform to turn their vision into action. We are excited to see what they imagine and how their ideas can help build a more sustainable and resilient Birmingham.”

Individual applicants and team members must be between the ages of 15 and 24. Applicants must apply alongside or through an approved local partner, school, university, or youth-serving nonprofit organization.

The Youth Climate Action Fund is an initiative of Bloomberg Philanthropies that supports cities in engaging young residents in designing and delivering solutions aligned with local priorities. Birmingham joins hundreds of cities around the world working to put young people at the center of climate action and community problem-solving.

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries to create lasting change in the areas of Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. In 2025, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $4.3billion.

Young people interested in applying and learning more can visit www.birminghamal.gov/youthclimate. Applications must be submitted via email to ORS@birminghamal.gov by October 9, 2026.