Youth Climate Justice Fund 2026 Grants: Apply for Up to $40,000 in Funding for Youth-Led Climate Action
Posted by Admin | Jan 31, 2026 | Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Oceania, Continent, Europe, Grants, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, South America
The Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) has officially opened its 2026 application round, offering flexible funding to youth-led climate justice and socio-environmental groups around the world.
Eligible collectives con apply for
- Up to USD $20,000 for local groups
- Up to USD $40,000 for national groups
YCJF supports emerging movements through a participatory, youth-led grantmaking process, prioritising community power, equity, and intersectional climate justice.
What Is the Youth Climate Justice Fund?
The Youth Climate Justice Fund is a global fund dedicated to resourcing youth-led climate justice movements that challenge environmental harm while addressing inequality, marginalisation, and structural injustice.
Rather than top-down funding, YCJF uses regional youth committees to review, discuss, and decide which groups receive grants-ensuring that funding decisions remain rooted in lived experience and local realities.
Who Can Apply for YCJF 2026 Grants?
You should consider applying if your group or collective meets the following criteria:
1. Youth-Led Leadership
- The majority of leadership or decision-making power is held by young people aged 35 and below.
2. Geographic Eligibility
Groups must be based in one of the following regions:
- East Asia & Pacific
- Middle East & North Africa
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Latin America & the Caribbean
- South Asia
- Europe & Central Asia
- North America
Important notes:
- Groups from high-income countries must be led by under-represented or marginalised communities.
- Groups focused only on international advocacy without community-based work are not eligible.
3. Values & Organising Principles
Your group should demonstrate:
- Inclusive organising and collective leadership
- Intersectional movement-building
- Non-partisan, non-violent, and legal approaches
YCJF is especially interested in groups that:
- Cultivate diverse leadership for fair and equitable climate action
- Raise ambition on climate and socio-environmental justice
- Hold decision-makers accountable while strengthening community power
What Does YCJF Mean by Climate & Socio-Environmental Justice?
YCJF defines climate justice as work that addresses the climate crisis while tackling exploitation, marginalisation, and oppression. This includes projects, campaigns, and solutions that:
- Centre affected communities
- Advance equity and justice
- Strengthen grassroots power
Do You Need to Be Registered?
No. Formal or legal registration is not required to apply.
How Much Funding Can You Request?
- Local groups: up to USD $20,000
- National groups: up to USD $40,000
Groups whose total funding needs exceed these amounts can still apply, as long as the request stays within the YCJF limits.
YCJF 2026 Grantmaking Process (Step-by-Step)
1. Call for Applications Opens
Open for 4 weeks. Applications accepted in Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili.
2. Initial Screening
Regional Committees review eligibility and alignment with YCJF values.
3. Regional Committee Review
Shortlisted groups are engaged in follow-up conversations to better understand needs and priorities.
4. Joint Decision-Making
Regional Committees and the Grants Committee jointly review and make final funding decisions..
5. Due Diligence
Selected groups receive support to complete funding requirements.
6. Grants Awarded
YCJF works with partners to ensure timely disbursement of funds.
7. Join the YCJF Community
Funded groups join welcome calls and co-develop capacity-strengthening resources.
Capacity Strengthening & Peer Learning
Beyond funding, YCJF supports groups through peer learning and movement-building support, including:
- Campaigns & communications
- Leadership & management
- Financial literacy & fundraising
- Administration & operations
- Project management