Call for Proposals: Youth Climate Action Fund (Australia)

Deadline: 02-Oct-2026

The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) provides grants of $1,500 to $7,000 to support youth-led climate action projects that promote sustainability, climate resilience, circularity, inclusion, and community engagement in Perth. Eligible not-for-profit and charitable organisations can apply for projects led by young people aged 15 to 24. What Is the Youth Climate Action Fund? The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) is designed to empower young people in Perth to lead practical climate action and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient city. The fund supports youth-led projects that deliver environmental and community benefits while giving young people opportunities to develop leadership, collaboration, and climate action skills. Projects should address local climate challenges and demonstrate meaningful community engagement. What Are the Priority Areas? The fund focuses on four key areas: Climate Mitigation and Resilience Projects can support practical responses to climate change, including initiatives that reduce environmental impacts and strengthen community resilience. Circularity Projects can focus on reducing waste, protecting natural resources, reusing materials, and developing more circular approaches to consumption and production. Inclusivity The fund encourages climate initiatives that ensure diverse voices are included and that young people from different backgrounds can participate in climate action. Governance and Engagement Projects can strengthen youth networks, partnerships, community participation, and structures that support long-term climate action. How Much Funding Is Available?

Grants range from:

Minimum: $1,500 excluding GST

Maximum: $7,000 excluding GST

Funding can support a variety of direct project expenses, including: The grant should be used for costs directly connected with delivering the proposed youth climate action project. Who Is Eligible? Applications must come from eligible not-for-profit or charitable organisations.

Applicants must:

Be legally constituted. Have an Australian Business Number (ABN). Have a bank account in the organisation’s name. Hold appropriate insurance. Demonstrate overall financial viability. Work with young people. Support a project led by young people aged 15–24.

Projects must either:

Take place within the City of Perth, or Have a direct and meaningful impact on the City of Perth. An organisation can apply for up to three different youth-led projects per funding period. Who Leads the Project? The project must be youth-led, meaning young people aged 15–24 should have a meaningful leadership role in developing and delivering the initiative. The supporting organisation provides the legal and administrative framework while helping young participants turn their climate ideas into practical projects. What Can the Funding Support? Examples of potentially eligible expenses include: The strongest projects will clearly connect their activities to climate action, sustainability, resilience, inclusion, circularity, or community engagement. What Is Not Funded? The fund does not support several types of activities and expenses, including: Other activities excluded under the programme’s funding guidelines Applicants should ensure that the proposed budget focuses on direct project delivery rather than routine organisational expenses. Why It Matters Young people are important contributors to local climate action. The Youth Climate Action Fund gives them an opportunity to move from awareness and advocacy to practical community-based solutions.

The programme can help:

Build youth climate leadership Support innovative environmental solutions Strengthen community resilience Reduce waste and encourage circular practices Increase participation in sustainability initiatives Create stronger youth and community networks Give young people practical project-management experience How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Your Organisation’s Eligibility

Check that your organisation:

Is legally constituted. Operates as a not-for-profit or charitable organisation. Has an ABN. Has a bank account in the organisation’s name. Has appropriate insurance. Can demonstrate financial viability.

Step 2: Establish the Youth Leadership Team

Identify young people aged 15–24 who will lead the project. Define their responsibilities, decision-making roles, and involvement in project delivery.

Step 3: Develop a Climate Action Project

Create a practical project that addresses a local sustainability or climate challenge. Consider how the project contributes to one or more priority areas: Clearly explain how the project will benefit the City of Perth. If activities are held outside the city, demonstrate the direct impact they will have on Perth.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

List all expected project expenses and ensure they are directly related to project delivery. Potential costs can include materials, workshops, marketing, training, mentors, permits, and eligible auspice fees.

Step 6: Submit Before the Project Starts

Applications must be submitted before the proposed project commencement date. Applicants should therefore allow sufficient time for assessment and approval before beginning any funded activities.

Step 7: Deliver and Evaluate the Project

Successful applicants should track participation, activities, outputs, and community or environmental outcomes to demonstrate the project’s impact. Tips for a Strong Application

Make the project genuinely youth-led: Show young people’s role in decision-making, not just participation.

Define the climate problem: Clearly explain the local issue the project will address.

Connect activities to outcomes: Explain what will change as a result of the project.

Show Perth’s benefit: Make the connection to the City of Perth explicit.

Use measurable outcomes: Include targets such as participants reached, workshops delivered, materials diverted from landfill, or community members engaged.

Keep the budget focused: Request funding for direct pr