City of Columbia’s new climate change initiative encourages youth participation

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — New grants being offered through the City of Columbia hope to spark fresh ideas from young people regarding sustainability and climate change.

Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and members of Columbia’s Climate Protection Action Committee, or CPAC, are announcing the launch of the city’s first “Youth Climate Action Fund.”

“The funds can be used for research, surveys, awareness campaigns, projects, workshops, partnerships, and a lot more. So we’re really excited about this opportunity and where it can lead,” says Rickenmann.

Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the initiative includes 100 mayors from cities around the world, and is meant to motivate young people between the ages of 15-24 into designing, producing, and overseeing climate solutions within their cities.

In an effort to help fund local youth-focused sustainability projects, Rickenmann says the city will provide micro-grants between $1,500 and $5,000 to approved applicants. The total in grant funding available is $50,000.

Project proposals are limitless, Rickenmann says, and could include ideas on preserving natural assets, providing better water quality and renewable energy, or protecting homes from the elements.

Chair of CPAC Bob Petrulis says many of the young people he speaks with are concerned about the climate crisis and believes this is their chance to get involved.

“They really are deeply worried and concerned in a lot of cases. And I think getting an opportunity to get involved is really a way of building hope, building possibilities, and getting students and other young people engaged,” says Petrulis.

Applications for the grants are open through June 7th and can be accessed from the City of Columbia’s website here.

“I really hope that young people take this opportunity and run with it,” he says.

According to city officials, grant recipients will be notified by the end of July.