Six youth groups and organizations received grants for eight ambitious projects as the Youth Climate Fund announced its awards at Höfði today.
Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir and Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir, chair of Reykjavík City's Environment & Planning Council, presented the grants. All projects are designed and led by youth, with the goal of tackling climate challenges in diverse and creative ways.
The fund is a joint effort between Reykjavík City and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Total grant funding is 5,520,000 króna.
Diverse projects reflecting a strong vision for the future
The funded projects showcase young people's strong vision for the future, creativity, and insight regarding environmental issues and sustainability. They tackle issues including fashion waste, carbon sequestration, forestry, nature conservation and educating tourists.
The Youth Climate Fund aims to engage young people in finding solutions to the climate crisis and support their initiatives for a more sustainable future. To be eligible, projects must be designed and carried out by young people ages 15-24 and align with Reykjavík's Climate Policy.
The following projects received grants:
Fjölbrautaskólinn við Ármúla – Sewing against waste
Raising awareness about fashion waste through pop-up clothing repair workshops, clothing swap markets, peer education and a design competition where students transform used clothing.
Engineering Department of Reykjavík University – Carbon sequestration through seaweed cultivation
A research project to find the best methods and locations for seaweed cultivation in Iceland, aiming to capture carbon and protect marine ecosystems.
United Nations Association of Iceland with students from Ármúli and Menntaskólinn við Sund – Dream of a Glacier
Education about climate change effects on glaciers. Students will visit a glacier and produce a short educational video for distribution.
Gleðibankinn community center – Short film festival on climate change issues
Teenagers from three youth centers will create short films about climate change issues to be shown at a festival in a movie theater.
Youth council of the Icelandic Boy and Girl Scout Association – Trees and camping in Esjuhlíðar
An event where trees will be planted in Esjuhlíðar along with camping, education and developing promotional materials about nature and tree planting.
Young Environmentalists – three projects:
- ÁLVER KÁLVER – Hackathon on energy solutions and sustainable electricity use.
- Be a good tourist – Educational materials for tourists about sustainable travel and their responsibility to protect Iceland's natural environment.
- Wild Plant Foraging and Education for Youth – Educating young people about plants in the Reykjavík area to foster a stronger connection with nature and encourage sustainable consumption.
2025 Youth Climate Fund Award Ceremony
