City to launch microgrant program for youth-led climate projects
SOMERVILLE – Composting, tree planting, solar phone charging stations, and more – these are the types of hyper-local climate action initiatives youth globally are advancing with microgrants from Bloomberg Philanthropies, and soon Somerville youth will have an opportunity to join in.
Bloomberg Philanthropies has awarded the City of Somerville $50,000 from their Youth Climate Action Fund to support the mobilization of young residents ages 15 to 24 to design and deliver solutions that align with the City’s climate goals. Somerville was among 300 cities selected to receive the award to launch a youth climate action microgrant program.
With the awarded funds, Somerville will leverage change-making spaces, such as Somerville Public Schools (SPS)’s Community Design Lab, to create a cutting-edge, youth-led climate and civic action hub that advances Somerville’s community climate action plan, Climate Forward. The hub will serve as a catalyst for the microgrant program for youth-led projects that will strengthen Somerville’s climate resiliency.
“Participation from our younger residents is critical for climate work because they’re already living with the consequences of today’s decisions and will inherit the responsibility for shaping what comes next,” said Mayor Jake Wilson. “I was thrilled when I learned about this grant opportunity in December and immediately contacted our Grants Development folks about it. I was even more thrilled when we were able to apply quickly and receive it. It’s vital that Somerville has this opportunity to bring our youth’s ideas to the forefront, and I look forward seeing the creativity this initiative inspires.”
Rollout of the microgrant program is anticipated for Fall 2026. The City’s Office of Sustainability and Environment will lead the effort in strong collaboration with the Somerville Public Schools. Partnerships with higher education institutions, local nonprofits, and industry partners will increase opportunities for project collaboration and support for youth grant recipients.
“If we want to reach Somerville’s ambitious climate goals, it’s imperative that we help create the next generation of climate leaders,” said Steven Nutter, Director of Somerville’s Office of Sustainability and Environment. “This grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies will help us expand opportunities for the City’s youth to learn, collaborate, and get inspired.”
Information on the program and how to apply will be shared widely through City channels including the website (somervillema.gov), social media, the Somerville Schools, city e-newsletter, and more.
To learn more about Somerville’s Climate Forward action plan, visit somervillema.gov/climateforward.
More About the Youth Climate Action Fund:
To date, more than 300,000 young people across five continents have taken part in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund—working with their city halls to create over 1,600 green spaces, plant over 1.8 million plants and 235,000 trees, develop nearly 5,000 gardens, launch 268 composting stations, and collect more than 405,000 pounds of trash and recyclables—producing visible improvements in their communities and bettering quality of life for residents worldwide. As part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ longstanding work to strengthen local state capacity through its Government Innovation program, the Fund also provides municipalities and their mayors with a model that extends beyond climate—galvanizing partnership with stakeholders citywide to advance progress on pressing problems—and opportunities—for the people they serve.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
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.