City of Bulawayo Joins Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Action Fund to Drive Climate Solutions
The City of Bulawayo has announced its participation in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at activating young people in the fight against climate change. The program, which provides funding and technical assistance, will empower young residents of Bulawayo, aged 15 to 24, to design, implement, and govern urgent climate solutions within the city.
With a growing concern among youth worldwide about the threats posed by climate change, the City of Bulawayo joins a select group of 100 cities across 38 countries and six continents, representing over 62 million residents. The Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund seeks to tackle the climate crisis by mobilising young people to take action at the local level.
As part of the program, the City of Bulawayo will receive an initial grant of $50,000, which will be distributed as micro grants to fund youth-led climate initiatives. These initiatives may include tree-planting campaigns, public education programs, recycling and waste reduction projects, as well as participation in climate mitigation planning and disaster preparedness programs. Cities that commit to allocating the initial grant within six months will receive an additional $100,000 to support further youth-driven projects over the course of one year.
Mayor Senator David Coltart expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “The great City of Bulawayo is one of a number of African cities which has been selected to benefit from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund. In Bulawayo, we are going to use the resources provided by Bloomberg to roll out a program in our schools to encourage young people to lead in keeping our city clean and free of plastic waste.”
Recognizing the importance of youth leadership in addressing the climate crisis, Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, and former mayor of New York City, emphasised, “Climate change is an all-hands-on-deck challenge, and it’s critical that young people – who have the most at stake – help lead the way.”
The Youth Climate Action Fund aims to empower mayors and cities to tap into the power and innovation of young people in driving climate action. Many cities have already played a crucial role in climate mitigation and adaptation, surpassing their national governments in reducing per capita emissions. However, the fund acknowledges that more needs to be done to engage young people and harness their energy and ideas.
The program will be delivered by United Cities and Local Governments in partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. Learning partners, including C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, will collaborate to ensure cities receive the necessary tools, techniques, and support to foster youth collaboration in climate problem-solving and policymaking.
Emilia Sáiz, Secretary General for United Cities and Local Governments, commented on the initiative, saying, “Youth today are the guardians of our future, and in bringing them together with local governments through this groundbreaking initiative, we will see cities reach newfound progress in shaping more resilient and regenerative communities that can act on the climate emergency in entirely new ways.”
The Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund seeks to catalyse broad and ambitious efforts by shifting away from traditional top-down models to those that involve and engage young people in solution-building. By providing technical expertise and funding, the fund aims to unleash a wave of youth-driven activities that will take local climate action to the next level.
Anthá Williams, who leads the Environment program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, emphasised the importance of youth engagement, stating, “Mayors must marshal a new era of engagement with local youth – harnessing their perspective, talents, and influence to drive progress in their communities.”
The City of Bulawayo will soon launch a call for applications, inviting young residents to submit their ideas for ambitious climate efforts. The program will prioritise initiatives such as climate education programs, tree-planting campaigns, recycling programs, and partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policies.
By joining forces with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, the City of Bulawayo is poised to make significant strides in combating climate change, fostering sustainability, and creating a brighter future for generations to come. With the power of youth and the support of this innovative initiative, the city can pave the way for transformative climate solutions and inspire others around the world to take action.
Contact:
City of Bulawayo – Mrs. Nesisa Mpofu, Corporate Communications Manager
Email: nmpofu@citybyo.co.zw
Bloomberg Philanthropies – Sam Fuld,
Email: sam@bloomberg.org
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