Atlanta Selected for Third Consecutive Youth Climate Action Fund Award

Atlanta Selected for Third Consecutive Youth Climate Action Fund Award

ATLANTA-For the third consecutive year, the City of Atlanta has been selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies to receive funding through the Youth Climate Action Fund, recognizing the city's continued leadership in empowering young people to develop and implement solutions that advance Atlanta's climate resilience goals.

The 2026 award brings Bloomberg Philanthropies' total investment in Atlanta's youth-led climate initiatives to $200,000 over three years. Since launching in 2024, the program has supported 30 youth-led project teams, engaged more than 1,500 young people across metro Atlanta and advanced projects aligned with the City's Climate Resilient ATL action plan.

"Atlanta's young people are not waiting to inherit the future. They are helping build it today," said Mayor Andre Dickens. "This continued investment recognizes what we already know: when young people are given the opportunity to lead, they deliver innovative ideas that strengthen our neighborhoods and make Atlanta more resilient. We are proud that Atlanta youth continue to earn national and global recognition for their bold and enterprising work."

Since the program launched in Atlanta, youth participants have designed and implemented projects addressing sustainability, environmental education, neighborhood resilience and climate awareness while gaining leadership experience and strengthening community partnerships.

The program has expanded dramatically since Atlanta first joined in 2024. This year, Bloomberg Philanthropies selected 300 cities across six continents to participate, underscoring Atlanta's continued role as a global leader in youth-driven climate action. Last year's participants were recognized by the Atlanta City Council with a proclamation establishing Youth Climate Action Day.

You can find one young grant recipient's story online here, where 19-year-old Ann Lin "trained 20 high school and college students to collect water samples at sites along the Chattahoochee River and analyze them in a chemistry lab. Her team established the first database of microplastics in Atlanta's natural waters and hosted a forum to share their findings publicly."

You can also view and download a video produced by Mayor's Office of Communications about the YCAF at this link. (Credit instructions in name of the file)

The Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Resilience continues to partner with 21st Century Leaders to administer the program locally, helping connect Atlanta's young leaders with the resources they need to turn innovative ideas into meaningful climate action.