City of Columbia announces 1st Youth Climate Action Fund - WIS News 10

City of Columbia announces 1st Youth Climate Action Fund

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - On Tuesday, City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann along with the Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC) announced The Youth Climate Action Fund.
The fund is said to be the first of its kind and is supported through Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Columbia was one of 100 cities selected worldwide.

“I think getting an opportunity to get involved is really a way of building hope and building possibilities and getting students and other young people engaged,” said Bob Petrulis, City of Columbia’s Climate Protection Action Committee Chair.

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

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

Larry Cook, USC’s Director of Sustainable Carolina said that the sustainability organization could expand if it receives a micro grant from the city.

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

Schools, organizations, and youth groups are highly 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 does have a plan. If someone is ready to do something with it…. There’s no need put more grants out there- no need to put more help out there just for the fun of it. There needs to be a thought behind the process if we’re gonna get it done,” said Isaiah Weatherly, a USC Sophomore

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

Applications for the grants are now open on the City’s website. Applications close on Friday, June 7.

You can learn more about the grants here.

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