Youth-led projects can receive $3,000–$5,000 to improve neighborhoods and help build a cleaner, greener, more resilient Philadelphia.

The city and school district last week announced a new opportunity for young Philadelphians to receive funding to bring their ideas to life through the Youth Climate Action Fund.

Young people ages 15–24 can work together to propose projects addressing challenges they see in their schools and neighborhoods, including extreme heat, flooding, illegal dumping, air quality and community greening. Projects must be meaningfully led by at least two young people.

“Young Philadelphians know their neighborhoods. They know the challenges their communities face, and they have ideas about how we can make them better,” Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a news release. “Our job is to give them the opportunity and the resources to put those ideas into action. Whether it is planting trees, cleaning and greening a vacant lot, reducing flooding or finding creative ways to keep communities cooler, these investments will help our young people make a visible difference in the Philadelphia they call home.”

The program will support projects across five areas:

• Beat the Heat: Creative ways to provide indoor or outdoor cooling while conserving energy.

• Outsmart Flooding: Community-based projects that manage stormwater, improve water quality or reduce flood risks.

• Rethink Trash: Solutions focused on illegal dumping, recycling, composting or reducing waste.

• Clear the Air: Projects that improve awareness and understanding of outdoor air quality.

• Green Justice: Tree planting, gardening, community greening and revitalization of public spaces, including vacant lots.

Young people can participate through two tracks: Student groups at School District of Philadelphia schools can propose projects on school grounds, while community-based organizations can support youth-led projects in Philadelphia neighborhoods.

“Flooding, extreme heat, air quality and other climate challenges affect neighborhoods across Philadelphia, and young people should have a voice in how we respond,” said Elizabeth Lankenau, director of the Office of Sustainability. “Through this program, young Philadelphians can help shape solutions that strengthen their communities while contributing to the City’s broader climate resilience and sustainability efforts.”

“These microgrants give students an opportunity to learn about climate action by putting their ideas into practice,” said Megan Garner, the school district’s director of sustainability and green schools. “Students will build knowledge and skills while developing projects that can make a meaningful difference in their schools and communities.”

Example projects could include researching urban heat islands, creating a community rain garden, cleaning and greening a vacant lot, installing and analyzing air quality sensors, or planting trees and community gardens. Applicants are also encouraged to propose other creative, youth-led projects that advance Philadelphia’s climate and sustainability goals.

“These microgrants give young Philadelphians the resources to test their ideas, learn what works and create solutions rooted in the needs of their own communities,” said Kristie Chin, director of the city’s Innovation Team. “The strongest ideas can also help us identify new approaches with the potential to grow and make an impact across Philadelphia.”

The city and school district will select 8-10 projects to receive funding and implementation support. Sponsoring organizations will manage grant funds, provide administrative assistance and support required reporting, while participating young people will lead project planning, decision-making and implementation.

Selected participants will also join a cohort to learn more about climate action and civic innovation and have an opportunity to share their work and recommendations with city and school district leaders.

How to apply

Apply on the Philadelphia City Fund website for the Youth Climate Action Fund. The website includes a link to an information session on Sept. 17 from 1-2 p.m.

Applications are due Friday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. Selected projects are expected to receive awards in November 2026. All project activities and grants spending must be completed by April 15, 2027.