Deadline: February 28, 2026
The Growing Roots Grant 2026 is now open for applications! This exciting opportunity provides up to $10,000 USD to support new and emerging youth-led initiatives focused on climate justice and community resilience. Beyond funding, selected groups will also receive mentorship, capacity-building support, and communications assistance to help strengthen their impact.
The Growing Roots Grant 2026 empowers grassroots youth groups—particularly those in the Global South and diaspora communities—to take bold, creative action for a more just and sustainable future.
About the Growing Roots Grant 2026
The Growing Roots Grant 2026 is designed to nurture small, youth-led collectives working to transform their local environments and communities. It offers financial support, hands-on mentoring, and storytelling assistance to help these initiatives grow stronger roots and long-term sustainability.
Each selected group can receive up to $10,000 USD, alongside ongoing coaching and visibility support. The programme recognises that early-stage ideas often need flexible and accessible funding to flourish, especially in regions most affected by climate change.
Who Can Apply
The grant is open to:
- Grassroots, youth-led initiatives that are less than one year old.
- Groups committed to improving the lives of communities on the frontlines of climate change.
- Applicants from the Global South, including the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
- Diaspora and BIPOC communities based in the Global North are also encouraged to apply.
- Formal registration is not required to be eligible.
This inclusive approach ensures accessibility for smaller, community-based teams that may not yet have institutional backing but possess strong ideas and local trust.
Focus Areas
Projects supported by the Growing Roots Grant 2026 should align with one or more of the following key focus areas:
1. Strategic Dialogue and Narrative Building
Initiatives that promote inclusive conversations, strengthen community relationships, and counter misinformation. Projects might include storytelling platforms, local campaigns, or creative media that shift narratives toward justice and resilience.
2. Advocacy-Oriented Initiatives
Youth-led advocacy efforts that influence public policy, improve local governance, or enhance civic engagement. These projects may focus on mobilising communities, engaging authorities, or building new policy pathways for climate action.
3. Community Autonomy Initiatives
Projects that empower communities to build or sustain their own systems and resources—such as food networks, renewable energy solutions, or climate adaptation structures—to ensure long-term autonomy and resilience.
What Successful Applicants Will Receive
Winners of the Growing Roots Grant 2026 will receive:
- Grants of up to $10,000 USD per group.
- Mentorship and coaching to strengthen project design, management, and impact.
- Capacity-building opportunities, including workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Communications and storytelling support to help share their initiatives globally and connect with other changemakers.
This combination of funding and guidance helps small youth teams develop into stable, high-impact organisations.
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: 8 February 2026
- Deadline: 28 February 2026
- Number of Awards: Approximately 8–10 groups will be selected.
- Notification: Successful applicants will be contacted after the review process, typically within a few weeks following the deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and ensure their submissions clearly articulate both community need and expected impact.
Why the Growing Roots Grant 2026 Matters
In a rapidly changing world, young people are at the forefront of climate action and social transformation. The Growing Roots Grant 2026 recognises this power and invests in the creativity, leadership, and community knowledge of youth groups working for justice and sustainability.
By supporting local action and indigenous wisdom, the grant contributes to a global movement for climate justice, equity, and systemic change—one rooted in community strength and collaboration.
Ready to Apply?
If you’re leading or part of a youth-driven project tackling climate challenges, now is the time to take the next step.
👉 Click here to apply for the Growing Roots Grant 2026
👉 Click here to read more about the programme
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Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
