Mogale City Local Municipality is proud to announce its participation in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, a global initiative that provides funding and technical support to municipalities to empower young people to design and implement innovative climate solutions.
Mogale City is among 300 cities worldwide selected to participate in the programme, which aims to mobilise young residents between the ages of 15 and 24 to address climate challenges and contribute to building more resilient communities. The expansion of the fund, which has tripled in size since its launch in 2024, builds on the success achieved in 98 municipalities across 34 countries, where youth-led projects have delivered meaningful environmental improvements while strengthening trust between communities and local government.
Through the Department of Integrated Environmental Management (DIEM), Mogale City will launch an open innovation competition inviting young people to submit climate-focused project proposals aligned with municipal priorities. The municipality will open the call for proposals from July. Successful applicants will have access to funding from the Youth Climate Action Fund’s allocation of US$50,000 (approximately ZAR 826 000), as well as technical assistance and mentorship to support the implementation of their projects.
Municipal officials will work closely with project teams throughout the implementation process, ensuring that young residents are equipped to turn their ideas into tangible outcomes. Projects may focus on creating and improving public spaces, strengthening infrastructure, mitigating environmental risks, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting sustainable development.
Municipalities that successfully deploy their initial funding within the required timeframe will be eligible to receive an additional US$50,000 (approximately ZAR 826 000), enabling them to support more youth-led initiatives and expand participation opportunities.
The first phase of the Youth Climate Action Fund has demonstrated significant impact globally. Research conducted among programme participants showed that trust in local government increased from 61% to 83%, while confidence in their ability to address environmental challenges rose from 65% to 90%. Nearly three-quarters of participants indicated that their municipality values youth input on climate-related matters.
The programme has also transformed the way municipalities engage with young people. More than half of participating cities established formal structures such as youth councils, advisory boards and participatory budgeting processes to ensure meaningful and sustained youth participation in decision-making.
Young residents aged 15 to 24 are encouraged to participate in the upcoming call for proposals and take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability and community development. Details regarding application processes and submission requirements will be announced by Mogale City in due course.
To date, more than 300,000 young people across five continents have participated in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, contributing to the creation of over 1,600 green spaces, the planting of more than 1.8 million plants and 235,000 trees, the development of nearly 5,000 gardens, the establishment of 268 composting stations, and the collection of more than 405,000 pounds of waste and recyclables.
These achievements demonstrate the power of youth-led climate action in improving communities, enhancing quality of life and creating a more sustainable future.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in more than 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to improve the lives of people through initiatives focused on the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programmes, the organisation works to create lasting change and strengthen communities globally.