The Youth Climate Justice Fund provides core, flexible funding to youth-led climate justice groups around the world that are working on climate and socio-environmental justice through inclusive, community-based organizing. To be eligible, groups must be majority led by young people aged 35 or under, committed to non-violent, non-partisan action, and rooted in local or national community work (not solely international engagement). Groups based in high-income countries must be led by youth from underrepresented or marginalised communities to qualify. The fund emphasises inclusive organising, collective action, intersectional movement building, and strengthening community power as core values.

The application process centres around a call for proposals that typically stays open for about four weeks, during which applicants submit their proposals via an online application portal (linked from the YCJF site). Applications are accepted in multiple languages, including Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili, and the fund offers downloadable application packages (guides and full question lists) to help prepare submissions. After submission, proposals undergo initial screening by YCJF staff, followed by regional committee review and steering committee ranking based on alignment with YCJF’s principles and regional priorities. Selected groups are then supported through a due diligence process before grants are awarded.

In the 2026 cycle, local groups can request grants of up to USD 20,000, and national groups up to USD 40,000, with funding decisions made jointly by regional and grants committees. Although formal legal registration is not required to apply, groups should clearly demonstrate their leadership structure, climate justice goals, and community relevance in their proposal. The fund also encourages applicants to engage with their resources, subscribe for updates on future calls, and reach out to YCJF staff or regional leads for application support if needed.