City of Columbia announces first Youth Climate Action Fund

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – On Tuesday, City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and the Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC) announced the Youth Climate Action Fund.

The fund would be the first of its kind and is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Columbia was one of 100 cities selected worldwide.

“I think having the opportunity to get involved is really a way to create hope, create opportunities and engage students and other young people,” said Bob Petrulis, chair of the committee. action for climate protection in the city of Columbia.

Through this fund, the city will receive $50,000. The city would then use that money and distribute micro-grants of $1,500 to $5,000 to help fund local youth-focused sustainability projects.

Funds can be used for, among other things, research, surveys, awareness campaigns, projects and workshops.

Larry Cook, director of Sustainable Carolina at USC, said the sustainability organization could grow if it received a microgrant from the city.

“We have about 100 students each semester participating in Sustainable Carolina. They work in different project teams. So we have a garden on campus, we do general sustainability awareness, we have a K-12 outreach team, a zero waste team, and an environmental justice team. One thing that comes to mind is to just apply for grants using the funds if we were to receive them to expand the impact of the program that already exists,” Cook said.

Schools, organizations and youth groups are strongly encouraged to apply for the grants.

WIS News 10 asked citizens what they thought about the funds.

“I could see how it would help if someone had a plan. If anyone is willing to do something with it…. There is no need for more subsidies or more aid just for the sake of it. We have to think about the process if we want to get there,” said Isaiah Weatherly, a sophomore at USC.

“It really speaks to me about where they are reinvesting in our youth in the community. The fact that they are willing to spend as much money as they want means, as I said before, that they are reinvesting in the community. Columbia is trying to become a lot younger and as a young person, that’s something that’s very good to hear and very inspiring,” said University of South Carolina graduate Nic Shotkosk.

Subsidy applications are now open on the City’s website. Applications close on Friday June 7.

You can find out more about the grants here.

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