Program will support youth-led climate projects across city
AKRON — Mayor Shammas Malik announced July 21 the launch of the Mayor’s Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), a new initiative that will provide $40,000 in microgrants to empower Akron youth to design and implement projects that improve their community while gaining valuable leadership and workforce experience.
Funded through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global YCAF, the program will award microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to teams of Akron youth ages 15 to 24 who develop innovative, community-based climate action projects in specific focus areas: healthy, efficient homes and buildings; transportation and mobility; waste reduction and reuse; and climate resilient communities. Youth teams must apply with an eligible fiscal sponsoring organization that would receive the microgrant award on their behalf and support their implementation efforts. Youth-led applications will be accepted Aug. 3 through Sept. 14 at akronohio.gov/YCAF.
Selected teams will receive funding and mentorship from City of Akron staff, fiscal sponsoring organizations and local community leaders to implement their projects. They also will showcase their completed projects alongside Malik and other city leaders in April 2027…