info@businessghana.com
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has launched an open call for applications for the Youth Climate Action Fund, a programme designed to mobilise young people aged 15 to 24 as co-designers, co-producers, and co-governors of climate solutions within their communities.
Announced at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Innovation Studio during the COP28 UAE Local Climate Action Summit on December 2, 2023, the Youth Climate Action Fund provides technical assistance and funding to support youth-led climate initiatives.
Kumasi's participation for the third time in the programme marks an exciting step toward fostering a more sustainable future. Three hundred cities from around the world have been selected to participate in the expanded programme for the 2026–2027 cycle, in recognition of their shared commitment to ambitious climate action and to expanding the role of youth in leading local solutions.
The Youth Climate Action Fund equips beneficiary city authorities with the resources to foster youth-led initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the city's foremost climate action goals.
Under the programme, and with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, authorities will establish a micro-grant programme in their respective cities and invite young people aged 15 to 24, together with their supporting organisations, to develop and submit project proposals. These proposals should align with the city's established climate goals and reflect innovative plans for youth to engage in climate-related activities that can demonstrate community impact.
The proposals will be reviewed by mayoral advisory committees to select the most promising projects for funding and implementation by the youth groups. The programme initially provides US$50,000 to participating city halls to fund projects that are in line with the city's climate action strategies.
Announcing the call for submission of applications, the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, encouraged youth within the age bracket to come together and submit project proposals on climate-related activities.
He said proposals should be tailored to the Kumasi environment and designed to promote sustainable development in the city, saying, "funds ranging from US$1,000 to US$5,000 will be provided to selected youth groups, as determined by the Selection Committee".
Additionally, he mentioned that the project implementation committee will monitor the project execution to ensure strict adherence to implementation timelines and the proper utilisation of the funds.
"Effective July 15, 2026, all eligible youth groups are invited to visit the official website of the KMA and go through the process and submit it on or before August 24, 2026," Mr Boadi stated.
A previous beneficiary of the fund, Deborah Akunor Kwakye, who turned plantain stem into paper bags and organic fertiliser, indicated that in 2024, through the support, her project featured in events in Kenya and Thailand and was part of the top 16 projects in the world.
Another beneficiary, Sampson Osei Tutu, who turned sawdust into a medium to cultivate mushroom, said in 2024, 53 people were trained, including women and young people, out of which two started their own mushroom farms.
