Description

Overview

Generation Climate Europe (GCE), through the Funding Fairer Futures (FFF) initiative, is inviting applications for the Youth Climate Changemakers Fund 2026, offering micro-grants of up to €1,000 to support youth-led grassroots climate initiatives across the European Union.

The fund aims to make climate action more inclusive and accessible by supporting young people who want to address environmental challenges but face barriers to accessing traditional funding opportunities.

Unlike many grant programmes, the Youth Climate Changemakers Fund does not require applicants to be registered organisations. Informal groups, including groups of friends working together on community climate initiatives, are eligible to apply.

Funding Fairer Futures brings together Generation Climate Europe and partners including Climate Action Network, Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF), Christian Blind Mission Ireland and ECOLISE to strengthen community-led climate justice initiatives.

Who Can Apply?

The fund is open to informal youth-led groups of at least three people based in the European Union.

Applicants must be citizens or residents of an EU Member State, and their groups must be youth-led, meaning that day-to-day management is carried out by individuals under 30 or that a majority of the governing body is under 30.

Groups must demonstrate the ability to manage grant funding responsibly and propose activities aligned with the fund’s climate justice objectives.

Applicants must not already receive or expect to receive support from another fund financed under the EU’s Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) programme, reference EuropeAid/173998/DH/ACT/Multi, or participate in delivering another project funded under the same programme.

The fund particularly encourages applications from groups that face difficulties accessing conventional funding and those working to engage communities traditionally underrepresented in the climate movement.

Eligible Activities

The Youth Climate Changemakers Fund supports initiatives that strengthen grassroots climate activism, promote public participation and encourage collective action on climate justice.

Eligible activities include awareness-raising campaigns, public engagement, community mobilisation, advocacy, capacity building and training.

Projects should demonstrate how their activities will contribute to the wider climate movement, reach new audiences or strengthen the long-term capacity of participating groups.

Activities must take place within the European Union and last between 6 and 12 months.

Funding and Programme Benefits

Selected groups can receive up to €1,000 to implement their proposed climate action projects.

Beyond financial support, participants will gain access to training and networking opportunities through the Funding Fairer Futures community.

Support includes project management, organisational development, advocacy, campaigning, communication, community mobilisation and fundraising skills.

Funded groups will also benefit from opportunities to connect with other climate organisations, increase the visibility of their activities and become part of a wider European climate action network.

The funding is intended for project implementation rather than general organisational operating costs. It cannot be used to purchase new equipment, finance profit-generating activities, co-finance other EU-funded projects or support activities outside the EU.

Expected Outcomes

The fund aims to strengthen the capacity of young people and informal groups to organise and implement meaningful grassroots climate initiatives.

Supported projects are expected to increase public awareness of climate justice, encourage community participation and mobilise new audiences, particularly those traditionally underrepresented in environmental movements.

Through financial assistance, training and networking, the initiative also seeks to strengthen the long-term sustainability of youth-led climate action and support the development of more inclusive and representative climate movements across Europe.

Key Dates

Next application deadline: 25 October 2026
Funding available: Up to €1,000 per group
Project duration: 6–12 months
Project start: Within six months of the relevant application period
Eligible geographical area: European Union Member States
Expected notification of results: Within approximately four weeks of the application deadline

How to Apply

Interested groups must submit their applications through the official online application portal by 25 October 2026.

Applications must include the following documents:

• Completed Application Form
• Group Representation Form
• Declaration of Honour
• Declaration on Exclusion Criteria
• Consultation Survey

Proposals will be evaluated based on their relevance, potential impact, coherence of project design, group capacity and credibility, and the added value of the requested funding.