Youth Climate Action Fund
Empowering young people to take action and build a greener future for Glasgow
The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) is a programme supporting young people aged 15 to 24 to design and lead climate-focused projects across Glasgow.
Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and delivered by Glasgow City Council and the Centre for Civic Innovation, the YCAF provides grants up to £3,500 to young people and youth-focused organisations to encourage grassroots environmental action.
Marking Glasgow's third year of the fund, the 2026 programme will support young people to bring their ideas to life and play an active role in shaping positive change within their communities, while gaining confidence and experience, building valuable skills for the future, and making connections along the way.
2025 Funding
There were 20 projects funded in 2025 covering a range of different activities, from food growing and outdoor learning to green careers field trips, storytelling and live performances to nature-based art therapy initiatives. Each of the projects funded align with goals and ambitions of Glasgow's Climate Plan
In addition to their focus on climate change, the projects also had a strong focus on health and wellbeing, co-design and creative methods, youth voice and confidence building, skills development and creating future opportunities for young people.
Funded Projects
YCAF project themes are based on the goals of the city's Climate Plan. They are:
Select the boxes below to find out more about each project*
*These are colour-coded based on the themes above but many of the projects are linked to more than one theme.
Hot City Cool Solutions Crossroads Youth & Community Development Association
Climate Anxiety Writing Workshops 2050 Climate Group
Climate Action Leadership Programme
2050 Climate Group
Youth Climate Action Education Project
St Mungo's Academy
Leaders' Network Community Event
2050 Climate Group
Drumchapel Speaks Green
The Play Center Glasgow
Fair Futures
Scottish Fair Trade
Stories for Change
The Village Storytelling Centre
Youth Cafe
Spider Arts
Wear the Change
Scottish Fair Trade
Connect and Grow
Young Movers (YoMo)
Calm Outdoors
Spider Arts
Our Dear Green Garden
St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
Notre Dame's Green Takeover
Notre Dame High School
Tip-Off Mural Project
Spider Arts
Developing Our School & Community Garden
Bellahouston Academy
Community Hub @ Cardonald Campus
Glasgow Clyde College
St Mungo's Academy School Garden
St Mungo's Academy
500 Bottles
Impact Arts
Sketchy Youths Deliver 500 Bottles
Impact Arts
Kick-Off Event
To kick off the 2025 programme, we brought together all funded projects for a launch event to support participants to connect, collaborate and shape the journey ahead. The event provided an opportunity for project teams to get to know each other, share ideas and start building a network of young changemakers.
In response to feedback from previous participants about creating opportunities to connect with their peers, we set up an exhibition space where each project could showcase their work. This encouraged conversations, sparked new ideas and helped teams build valuable relationships from the beginning.Check out our video from the session: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNh9OZXMQPa/
Planting Seeds is a webinar series designed to inspire people of all ages to turn challenges into opportunities and transform ideas into meaningful action. Through conversations with innovators, changemakers and experts from a range of fields, the series explores how small actions can spark positive change in communities and beyond.
Throughout 2025, we welcomed guest speakers who shared their experiences, insights and practical advice, helping to inspire young people participating in the Youth Climate Action Fund and support them with developing their projects and future aspirations.
You can watch all of these webinars here: https://www.cciglasgow.org/events/planting-seeds/
Celebration Event
We rounded off the 2025 programme with an event to celebrate the creativity, passion and dedication of young people. Participants came together to share their projects, reflect on their achievements and showcase the positive impact they had made.
Local organisations and experts were also invited to be part of the event, creating opportunities for young people to make new connections and explore future opportunities. As well as celebrating what had been achieved throughout the year, the event also highlighted the potential of young people to lead meaningful climate action.
Check out our video from the session: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNh9OZXMQPa/
"This has been a fantastic project for our young people, thank you YCAF for providing an opportunity for young people’s voices to be heard!"
- Emily, Impact Arts Project Co-Ordinator
