Anchorage joins the Youth Climate Action Fund alongside 300 cities as the program scales up and triples its reach. Since its launch in 2024, the Youth Climate Action Fund has delivered tangible results in 98 municipalities across 34 countries, developing trust and helping a new generation believe in government.

As part of this program, the Municipality will receive $50,000 in funding and technical assistance from Bloomberg Philanthropies to provide microgrants for youth-led projects across the Municipality. After inviting young people’s ideas and selecting the strongest proposals, the Municipality will then assign staff to support implementation from start to finish, helping young residents lead in carrying their plans through to completion.

Municipalities that move quickly to deploy their initial funding will receive an additional $50,000 to support more youth-driven projects and expand participation.

“This is an exciting opportunity for young people in Anchorage to help lead the way in building a more resilient community,” said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “These youth-led microgrants will allow our youngest residents to have a direct hand in securing Anchorage’s future. We are proud to partner with Bloomberg Philanthropies and put these resources to work right here in our neighborhoods.”

“The Youth Climate Action Fund is helping city halls around the world work alongside hundreds of thousands of young people to take action on city climate challenges and improve their communities,” said Patricia E. Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “They are showing how local government can be a partner on issues youth and residents care deeply about – and they are building trust along the way. We look forward to expanding on these efforts and inspiring a new generation of civic leaders.”

As part of the Youth Climate Action Fund, the Municipality will launch an open call for new and ambitious climate resiliency efforts led by young people, ages 15 to 24.

The Municipality's Youth Advisory Commission will help oversee the selection of projects for Youth Climate Action Fund microgrants. Applications for microgrants will open in late summer and project awardees will be announced in the fall. The selected projects will be conducted through April 2027.

 

In the coming weeks, the Municipality will provide more details on how local youth can submit ideas for this microgrant opportunity. Anchorage’s Energy, Security and Resiliency Plan is focused on strengthening infrastructure, reducing energy costs, consumption and supporting energy diversification, and improving disaster resiliency.

 

The Municipality is currently seeking members for the Youth Advisory Commission, which promotes the voices of youth in municipal government. Anchorage residents ages 14 to 22 may apply to join. For more information about joining the Youth Advisory Commission, visit https://onboard.muni.org/board/2981.

 

Participating local governments also changed how they work. More than half established new, formal structures—such as youth councils, advisory boards, and participatory budgeting processes—to sustain young people’s engagement. 43% embedded youth input into long-term strategies and policies, while roughly 40% created dedicated staff roles. Nearly all report plans to expand the effort.

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2025, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $4.3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn,

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