Youth Climate Action Fund - 2026

Before completing this application form, please visit the Youth Climate Action Fund Website for more detailed information about this grant.

This section of the application form is designed to help you, and us, understand if you are eligible for this grant.  Please read the criteria prior to applying.

Incomplete applications and/or applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals cannot apply for funding – funds will be granted only to organisations that support young people. To be eligible to apply, the application must be made by one of the following organisation types, in partnership with young people:

• Youth-led organisations (e.g. youth clubs or groups)
• Youth-serving organisations (e.g. adult-led, supporting young people)
• Schools
• University/Polytechnic
• Registered charity or not-for-profit

Private companies, individuals or political parties or party-affiliated organisations are not eligible.

You can apply if:

• You have at least 2 youth aged 15-24 years who will be helping deliver the project
• Your project will be completed by 15 April 2027
• You are partnering with a support organisation who will apply for the funding on your behalf.
• Your project will take place in Tauranga  
• Your project supports at least one of Council's climate priorities:
  • Contributing to emissions reductions, e.g. transitioning to active and lower emissions transport, energy efficient homes and classrooms, waste and circularity
  • Supporting us, as a city, to understand our risks and prepare for a changing climate e.g. citizen science, education programmes
  • Enhancing nature and biodiversity to help us be more resilient to a changing climate e.g. coastal or riparian planting
  • Community action and awareness of climate change, e.g. events, exhibitions, workshops. 

Eligible and Ineligible Project Expenses.

The following details which project expenses are eligible and ineligible for the Youth Climate Action Fund microgrants.

Eligible Microgrant Project Expenses

1. Project supplies and materials, including rental and purchase of items directly needed to carry out the project, such as equipment, tools, art supplies, or technology.
2. Costs for organizing community events, workshops, or educational sessions, including venue rental, printing of materials for participants, and basic refreshments.
3. Costs for any necessary permits to implement the project in accordance with local regulations.
4. Reasonable ground travel expenses (such as public transit, ride shares, or taxis) for youth participants or team members directly involved in project implementation.
5. Promotional materials to raise awareness about the project, encourage engagement from stakeholders and the greater community, and share project results, including photography, editorial support, and videography.
6. Reasonable fees for training and mentorship offered in workshops with youth participants.
7. Administrative costs that local NGOs, civic groups, neighbourhood clubs, schools, or other organisations may charge for administering a microgrant on behalf of youth project leads. The costs should be no more than 15% of the microgrant value.
8. Small amounts to enable youth participation such as per diems for food or gift cards if these expenses are reasonable in proportion to the activities. In no event may these expenses make up the majority of the microgrant.
9. Capital investments when they do not exceed 50% of the microgrant and are an essential part of the project suggested and led by youth.

Ineligible Microgrant Project Expenses

1. Services/expenses covered by existing city initiatives.
2. Rent or utilities, unless specified above.
3. Nonprofit/NGO incorporation fees.
4. Speaker honorariums and speaker fees.
5. Scholarships.
6. Direct support to individuals or families.
7. Partisan political contributions or expenses.
8. Expenses related to political campaigns, fundraisers, or projects.
9. Expenses related to lobbying (attempting to influence legislation) or voter registration.
10. Expenses related to commercial activities
11. Capital campaigns, endowments, or endowed chairs.
12. Payments to government officials.
13. Events or fundraisers not related to youth climate action.
14. Regranting or sub-granting to other organizations or individuals.

If you have any questions please contact the Climate and Resilience team at youthclimateaction@tauranga.govt.nz. 

I confirm 

• I have read and understand the eligibility criteria and confirm that the Applicant meets the criteria.
• I am able to demonstrate alignment between the project and the aims of the Youth Climate Action Fund
• You acknowledge and agree that, depending on the nature of Your Project, you may be considered to be a specified organisation pursuant to s24(1)(c)(ii) of the Children’s Act 2014 (“CA”).  You warrant that, in relation to the Project, You will comply with Your obligations under the CA (if any), including the obligation to undertake safety checks on persons employed or engaged as a children’s worker.  You shall provide TCC with information (upon request) demonstrating the processes You have in place to ensure compliance with the CA and Your compliance with those processes.

Privacy Statement 

Tauranga City Council (Council) is collecting information from you as part of this application, some of this information may be personal information. This includes your name, contact details, role, organisation info, bank account details and may include application responses or supporting information (including reporting). Your information and any supporting documents may be used to assess and process this application, verify information you have provided, administer and manage this grant, contact or notify you about any matter relevant to the grant and/or application (including monitoring and compliance of the grant funding terms and conditions), and to update you from time to time about our grant programmes.  This application contains some fields that are mandatory, if you do not provide us with this information, we will be unable to process your application. We will not share your personal information with any other organisation or individual unless they are our contractor or other relevant 3rd party and disclosure is necessary for the specified purposes above. You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you would like a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at info@tauranga.govt.nz, or 07 577 7000. For further information about how Council will handle your personal information, please refer to Tauranga City Council’s Online Grant Privacy Statement.