Kitchener announces winning projects for Youth Climate Action Fund

The City of Kitchener has announced which projects will share in $64,000 of funding from the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund.

The city previously issued an open call to young people around the region to develop ideas, ranging from urban farming, tree planting, education programs, and more. Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, along with representatives of GreenHouse and city council, announced the winners at City Hall.

“I love working with and get so energized by passionate young people who are making a difference in our community and beyond,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “It was a real pleasure meeting with these talented, committed youth and learning more about their personal commitment to addressing climate change.”

Each of the 16 projects, focusing on innovative climate efforts, received upwards of $6,500 each in order to help implement their visions. The program works to empower youth between the ages of 15 and 24 to help develop climate solutions in their own communities.

The winning projects and their fiscal sponsors include:

• Food Waste Project, Canadian Wildlife Federation
• Kitchener Community Compost Project, Waterloo Region Green Solutions
• Protected winter garden and enclosed growing space, Eastwood Collegiate Institute
• EcoSwap: Trade Today, Save Tomorrow!, GreenHouse – United College
• Future Ecoleader Youth, Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health
• GreenLog: Empowering Youth for Comprehensive Environmental Action, GreenHouse – United College
• Harvest to Garnish, Greenway Chaplin
• Native Plant Revival Project, GreenHouse – United College
• Roots for tomorrow: planting a better future, Kinbridge Community Association
• Drizzle to Downpour, Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festiva
• Tree Carbon Project, Canadian Wildlife Federation
• Microgrants for Student Eco-Clubs, Waterloo Region District School Board
• Youth Climate Hackathon, Young Eye Initiative
• Young Eye International Podcast, Young Eye Initiative
• Public Art Installation Meets Youth-Led Waste Reduction Initiative, GreenHouse – United College
• Invasive Species Removal and Native Plants Re-Introduction, Kinbridge Community Association

“I personally just love seeing youth getting out there and having that empowerment, being able to steer the direction of these projects, I think is so important,” said Ali Engering, who’s project is focused around tree planting in the region. “Especially today, I feel like it’s harder for them to feel like they have much of a control on what’s happening, so I’m really excited for that.”

This comes as Kitchener announced it would join the fund back in April, along with other cities from around the globe, spanning 38 countries across 6 continents, and representing over 62-million residents. The fund was originally developed to provide technical assistance and funding to mayors across the globe, pushing to increase youth involvement and ideas in designing, producing, and governing urgent climate solutions.

“It’s amazing to be at this event because I’m seeing 15 other teams that are also getting funding for really amazing projects,” said Spencer Marooney, who’s received funding for a community garden composting project. “I’m just feeling very excited that so many people are really motivated in our community.”

Now with the funding in hand, the winners now have through to the end of the year to complete their projects, with an official deadline of December 31, 2024.

“First and foremost, we will probably start recruiting more youth because community cleanups are going to be a big part of our project,” said Isaac Supita-Ayala, who’s at the helm of a youth climate council project. “It will be an opportunity for youth to get volunteer hours and we have funding, so we can offer honorariums as well.”

Each of the projects is backed by a fiscal sponsor, also being supported by GreenHouse, which has supported the youth teams through the application process and will assist with project implementation. The groups will be invited to share their full results at the end of the year.

“I look forward to hearing from them again about what they’ve accomplished,” said Vrbanovic. “It’s clear that young people in Kitchener are excited to participate in this and future phases of the fund.”