ALLENTOWN, Pa. — More than a dozen youth-led groups are set to get started on projects to fight the effects of climate change in Allentown after winning microgrants from the city.
Allentown is set to distribute more than $65,000 to 14 projects, which represent the second round of the Youth Climate Action Fund.
“We need to empower young people to take charge and take responsibility for their future."Mayor Matt Tuerk in February
Eleven groups each will get $5,000 — the largest grants available through the fund — while three others will split a little under $11,000.
Top-prize-winning projects include plans for an outdoor classroom at Trexler Middle School, several garden spaces and an “upcycling” initiative, as well as gardening workshops and a free community bike tune-up day.
And two projects at Muhlenberg College each got $5,000 grants.
Allentown School District plans to use its $3,318 grant to bolster tree-equity education, while the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown’s teen-led climate campaign received $3,150 in funding.
And Easton-based Nurture Nature Center got $4,300 from Allentown’s Youth Climate Action Fund to implement AI-powered hydroponic systems.
‘Ambition' and 'creativity’
Projects should be done by the end of 2025. The city could distribute more money later this year from its Youth Climate Action Fund, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Bloomberg Philanthropies offered $50,000 grants to 100 cities — including Allentown — whose mayors attended COP28, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, in late 2023.
Allentown last year handed out $40,000 to eight groups for the inaugural round of the fund. First-round winners were lauded at Bucky Boyle Park in February after completing their projects.
“We need to empower young people to take charge and take responsibility for their future,” Mayor Matt Tuerk said at the event.
He urged young people to show even more “ambition” and “creativity” in their applications for grants during the second round of the Youth Climate Action Fund
Allentown got a $100,000 grant in January to deepen the fund’s impact.
