Young Lincoln residents will soon be able to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to design and lead projects addressing climate and sustainability issues in the community.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced Thursday that the city received a $50,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to launch a local Youth Climate Action Fund. Lincoln is one of 300 cities worldwide participating in the initiative.
“Through our new Youth Climate Action Fund, the City of Lincoln will award grants that empower young local leaders to bring their sustainability ideas to life,” Gaylor Baird said. “These sustainability projects will create clear public value at no cost to Lincoln taxpayers.”
Lincoln residents ages 15 to 24 may apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Applications open August 26 and close October 7.
City Chief Sustainability Officer Kim Morrow said proposals must address at least one of four priorities drawn from Lincoln’s Climate Action Plan:
- Climate resilience, including solar energy, flood reduction, tree planting, responses to extreme heat and stronger neighborhood connections
- Local food, including community gardens, locally grown food, improved food access and reduced food waste
- Waste reduction, including composting, recycling, reducing single-use plastics and creating items from reused materials
- Transportation, including biking, walking, scooting, public transit, electric vehicles and car sharing
Morrow said the projects do not have to be complicated, but each must be led by a team of at least two young people and establish a clear, measurable objective.
“They need to set a clear goal, something measurable that young Lincolnites can point to at the end and say, ‘We did that,’” Morrow said.
Potential projects could include a fashion show featuring upcycled clothing, a neighborhood food initiative that provides meals while strengthening community connections or a competition encouraging residents to travel without a car.
Morrow said 17 local youth-serving organizations have committed to supporting participants. Young people who have an idea but are unsure how to develop it may be connected with one of those organizations for assistance.
The city will also hold three “design jam” events in September where potential applicants can meet other young people, consult subject-matter experts and develop project ideas. A series of office hours will be offered to answer questions about the program and application process.
Morrow said the online application will include a series of questions asking applicants to briefly describe their proposed project and the impact it could have. No formal essay will be required.
An independent evaluation committee will review the proposals and select at least eight projects for funding. The city says it will choose projects covering a range of climate topics and community impacts.
Lincoln Public Schools Assistant Sustainability Coordinator Alex Tunnison said students are already leading a variety of environmental projects. Those efforts have included a litter cleanup at Lincoln Northwest High School, tree planting at Lincoln Southeast and Standing Bear high schools, upcycled jewelry projects and school gardens that grow and donate produce.
“The Youth Climate Action Fund offers these young leaders a chance to co-create a stronger, more sustainable Lincoln through the lens of their unique interests and perspectives,” Tunnison said.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln student and Sustain UNL Vice President Jacki Petrow said young people are already organizing environmental clubs and events and advocating for climate policies at the local, state and federal levels.
“It provides the opportunity to empower young people on the most basic level, with the funding and support to see how we, no matter our age, can make a difference,” Petrow said.
Grants are scheduled to be awarded in early November. Selected teams must complete their projects by April 15, 2027. The city plans to announce the project results on Earth Day, April 22.
Applications and additional program information are available at lincoln.ne.gov/YCAF.