NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell, alongside the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families (OYF), the Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS), and the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF), today announced the 18 winning projects selected for the second round of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund.

“From the global stage at COP28 to neighborhood blocks in New Orleans, the Youth Climate Action Fund represents the power of youth to lead bold solutions,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “I’m deeply proud of these 70 young leaders who are stepping up to reduce waste, plant green infrastructure, and creatively educate our community on climate action. Their work will help shape a safer, healthier, and more resilient future for all of us.”

 

The City of New Orleans was one of only 100 cities worldwide selected to participate in the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund, launched in 2023 during COP28 in Dubai. To date, New Orleans has received a total of $150,000 to support 27 youth-led climate projects across two rounds of funding.

 

This second round of micro-grants was awarded to 18 projects led by 70 youth between the ages of 15 and 24. These initiatives will address climate issues through community education, waste reduction, sustainable fashion, green infrastructure, and more.

 

“Young people in New Orleans are not just responding to climate change — they’re reimagining what’s possible,” said Asya Howlette, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families. “From sustainable fashion and water literacy to food justice and storytelling, these 70 youth are leading projects that reflect creativity, care, and a deep sense of responsibility for our shared future. We are honored to support them as they transform climate concern into bold community action.”

 

“The City of New Orleans has now secured over $140 million in federal grants to advance bold climate action — from expanding green infrastructure and clean transportation to investing in waste reduction and workforce development,” said Greg Nichols, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer and Director of ORS. “That momentum was fueled in large part by young people from New Orleans who took their advocacy all the way to Congress and the White House. The Round 2 winners of the Youth Climate Action Fund are carrying that torch forward — turning bold ideas into action and continuing to show the nation what youth-led climate leadership looks like.”

 

The 18 winning projects are as follows:

• Bee Beneficial, sponsored by Grow Dat Youth Farm – Building native bee habitats and training community members on pollinator care.

• Bridging the Intergenerational Gap, sponsored by Illuminating the Youth – Connecting youth and seniors through shared gardening and climate dialogue.

• Diversity in Bloom, sponsored by Louisiana Green Corps – Promoting resilience through gardening workshops and seed-sharing.

• Iris Impact: NOLA Blooming, sponsored by New Harmony High School – Planting Louisiana irises and producing a youth-led documentary.

• Sustainable Dining, sponsored by YMCA of Greater New Orleans – Creating a guide for eco-friendly packaging in local restaurants.

• Junior Koats4Kids Krewe, sponsored by Koats4Kids – Upcycling coats and showcasing sustainable fashion through workshops.

• Keep Loyola Beautiful, sponsored by Loyola Students for Environmental Action – Revitalizing a native vertical garden and raising awareness of urban biodiversity.

• Lights, Camera, Climate Control, sponsored by Keyon Fitness & Performing Arts – Using performance and fitness to explore climate justice.

• Lowering Food Waste Through Gardening, sponsored by UNO Garden Club – Composting dorm food waste for campus gardens.

• Music from Waste, sponsored by Make Music NOLA – Repairing discarded instruments and hosting a concert featuring youth-created recycled art.

• New Orleans Unhoused Recycling Initiative, sponsored by Grace at the Greenlight – Reducing plastic waste and promoting reusable bottles among unhoused communities.

• Slow Fashion, sponsored by ricRACK – Educating teens on sustainable garment-making through an eight-week summer program.

• SustainaBold, sponsored by Puentes New Orleans – Hosting recycled crafting days, bilingual climate education, and a youth climate magazine and blog.

• Uncharted Waters, sponsored by Trinity City Arts – Hosting “read-and-color-along” events to build youth water literacy.

• Warren Easton Green Initiative, sponsored by Youth Rebuilding NOLA – Installing stormwater planters and trees on a high school campus.

• Water Wise Youth, sponsored by Water Wise Gulf South – Creating educational games for local festivals focused on waste reduction and green infrastructure.

• Youth for a Greener Tomorrow, sponsored by Reaping the Harvest – Expanding recycling infrastructure and educating the community through digital content.

• 2nd Line Clean Up, sponsored by Train Up A Child NOLA – Placing recycling bins along second line routes and leading environmental workshops.

These projects reflect a powerful convergence of art, science, storytelling, and grassroots organizing — all led by the next generation of climate leaders in New Orleans.

 

Visit nola.gov/youthclimatefund to learn more about the Youth Climate Action Fund program.