The Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF) is a global funding initiative dedicated to resourcing emerging youth-led movements advancing climate justice and socio-environmental justice. Through a participatory, youth-centred grantmaking approach, YCJF supports young people who are building collective power, holding decision-makers accountable, and driving locally rooted climate action. The 2026 application round will open soon, inviting eligible youth-led groups working at local or national levels to apply for flexible grants that strengthen grassroots organising and community-led solutions. Funding Available YCJF provides grants tailored to the scale and reach of youth-led initiatives: Up to USD 20,000 for local-level groups and collectives Up to USD 40,000 for national-level groups and networks Funding is designed to support organising, advocacy, movement building, and climate justice initiatives grounded in local realities. Who Can Apply YCJF encourages applications from youth-led groups and collectives that are actively addressing climate and socio-environmental justice through inclusive and community-based approaches. Leadership and Age Criteria Applicants should consider applying if: The group or collective is led by young people aged 35 years and below The majority of leadership or decision-making power lies with individuals aged 35 or under Geographic Eligibility Eligible groups must be based in one of the following regions: East Asia and Pacific Middle East and North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America and the Caribbean South Asia Europe and Central Asia North America Additional considerations include: Groups based in high-income countries must be led by youth from underrepresented or marginalised communities Groups focused solely on international engagement without community-based work are not eligible Values and Movement Principles Eligible groups must demonstrate a commitment to: Inclusive organising and intersectional movement building Collective action and shared leadership Non-partisan, non-violent, and lawful approaches to change YCJF places particular emphasis on groups that are: Cultivating diverse and equitable leadership rooted in community power Raising ambition and accountability on climate and socio-environmental justice Holding policymakers and institutions accountable to their commitments Grantmaking Process YCJF uses a transparent and participatory grantmaking process that centres youth leadership and regional expertise. Step-by-Step Process Call for Applications Opens Open for four weeks Applications accepted in Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili Initial Screening Regional Committees, supported by YCJF staff, assess eligibility and alignment with core values Regional Committee Review Proposals reviewed according to regional priorities Selected groups may be invited for follow-up conversations A shortlist of aligned groups is developed Joint Decision-Making Regional Committees share shortlists with the Grants Committee Final decisions are made collectively, ensuring alignment with YCJF values and priorities Due Diligence YCJF staff support selected groups through the due diligence process Grant Awards Funding is disbursed with efforts to minimise delays and administrative barriers Joining the YCJF Community Funded groups are invited to onboarding calls and youth-to-youth capacity strengthening activities Language and Accessibility YCJF is committed to accessibility and inclusion. Applications are accepted in multiple languages to ensure youth-led groups can engage fully in the process. Frequently Asked Questions and application guidance are available in: Arabic English French Hindi Portuguese Spanish Swahili Groups are encouraged to review the full guidance materials ahead of the application opening. Preparing to Apply Prospective applicants can prepare in advance by downloading the 2024 application package, which includes: Frequently Asked Questions The full list of application questions Guidance on eligibility and the grantmaking process Applicants are also encouraged to: Subscribe to the YCJF newsletter Follow YCJF on social media Stay informed about application timelines and updates Commitment to Learning and Participation YCJF is continuously evolving its processes to ensure meaningful participation, shared ownership, and equitable access to resources. Beyond funding, YCJF seeks to build a global community of youth-led climate justice groups that learn from one another, strengthen collective power, and advance long-term systemic change. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.