Youth Climate Action Fund | Round 2
In April 2024, the Halifax Regional Municipality was selected as one of 100 cities to receive $66,000 CAD from Bloomberg Philanthropies and United Cities and Local Governments through the new Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF). The program is designed to empower young people to take meaningful action on climate change in their communities.
Following a successful first round, the municipality, together with the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3), was awarded an additional $140,000 CAD to support even more youth-led climate initiatives across the region.
With the second round of applications, we received a range of creative proposals from local youth. There are so many ways that youth in the municipality are stepping up to the challenge, from community gardening projects to new ways of using technology.
YCAF round 2 winners
Aruna Revolution | Period Equity Alliance Society: Youth-Led Climate Action for Sustainable Menstruation
Banye Art | My Climate and Art: A training workshop for young artists
BLM in this Together | Emerge - Environmental Catalysts Emerging Above the Underpinning
Dalhousie Outdoors Society | Land Stewardship training
The Deanery Project | CycleScapes: Art, Advocacy, & the Road Ahead on the Eastern Shore
Ecology Action Centre | EAC Teens
Enactus | Food Desert/Marginalized Communities Initiative
Friends for the Future | Environmental Education and Sustainable Solutions: A Youth-Based Workshop Series
Garden Goobers (Marine Drive School) | The Fresh Ingredient
Hope Blooms | Science Fair
Hydrostone Academy | Turning the (Green) Tide: Micro and Macroalgae as Sources of Renewable Energy
Loaded Ladle | Beet Street Market
MacPhee Centre | Power up - Sustainable urban garden for art and community
NSCC Green AI Innovators | SmartBin AI: Waste Classification System
Oakhill Outdoor | Fairview Elementary School Pollinator Classroom Project
Rotaract Club of Halifax | Our Garden, Our Gallery
Square Roots | Square Roots North End
Welcoming Intercultural Newcomers Association | Decade to Destiny: Voices of African International Students on Climate and Culture
Women in STEM | Reimagine, Repurpose, Restore
Local governments driving climate action
The YCAF network spans 38 countries across six continents, representing over 62 million residents. To date, this global movement has supported more than 1,000 climate projects and engaged more than 100,000 young people who are leading the charge toward a healthier, more sustainable future.
Local governments are on the front lines of the climate crisis. A recent survey by the Municipal Net-Zero Action Research Partnership found that more than 60% of Canadian cities have climate action plans, and nearly half have set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Here in Halifax, we’re proud to lead with HalifACT, our long-term climate action plan. Through programs like YCAF, we’re not only tackling emissions and climate risks, we’re also supporting vibrant, resilient communities.
Past Projects
In April 2024, the municipality was one of 100 cities that received $50,000 USD ($66,000 CAD) from Bloomberg Philanthropies and United Cities and Local Governments as part of the new YCAF program, which hopes to encourage the participation of young people in municipal climate action. On September 16, 2024, Mayor Mike Savage presented the recipients of YCAF funding with small grants of up to $5,000 USD ($6,600 CAD).
Spotlight: Shambhala School
Shambhala School is conducting a research project integrated into its Science 8, Science 9, Science Fair and High School Biology curriculums. Their project is providing hands-on lessons in cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and climate change by culturing several species of freshwater and marine algal species in the classroom. Shambhala School hopes to encourage students to tackle climate change at the local level and to spread awareness about possible solutions.
Spotlight: DalSol
The Dalhousie Solar Car Team (DalSol) is a student-led group dedicated to designing a 100% solar-powered electric vehicle (EV). They were the first team from Atlantic Canada to race at the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) in 2023, and followed it up with another race in 2024. The team is planning to return to FSGP in 2026.
DalSol's goal is to give students practical experience with problem solving and green transportation, and to spur innovation in renewable energy and EV technology.
Spotlight: Hope Blooms
For almost two decades, Hope Blooms has been encouraging community involvement in local food production. Over the years, the Hope Blooms Campus has added a community farmers market, an after-school leadership program for youth and the Green Labs mentorship program. This organization used YCAF funding to commission a large community mural by young residents and a local graffiti artist. The mural they created together depicts a scene of new growth and dedication to caring for the planet.
YCAF projects
- Caring for the Barrens, community capacity building
- DalSol (Dalhousie University), Solar-Powered Electric Race Vehicle open house
- Girl Child Art Foundation + Banye Art, My Climate and Art: A Climate Justice Art Exhibition
- Hope Blooms, community climate action mural
- Level: Changing Lives Through Law, Environmental Justice Program
- Oakhill Outdoor, Oakhill biomass project
- ONE North End, low carbon African Nova Scotian community ideas mobilization
- Preston Area Food Network, Growing Resilience: Youth Empowerment Through Sustainable Gardening
- Rotaract Club of Halifax, Seeds of Tomorrow
- Shambhala School, Turning the (Green) Tide: Investigating the Applications of Algal Climate Relief
- Woodlawn High School’s Oceans Club and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, From Land to Sea