The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has selected 20 youth-led initiatives under the second phase of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), as part of ongoing efforts to empower young people to design and implement innovative solutions to address the local impacts of climate change.

In a statement signed by the Assembly’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Gilbert Ankrah, the AMA announced that the selected projects, to be implemented over a six-month period, cover a wide range of climate action themes including public education, urban greening, waste management, climate advocacy, sustainable transportation, and renewable energy.

“These projects reflect the creativity, passion, and commitment of young people in Accra who are stepping up to lead the charge against climate change,” the statement read.

The winning projects include: Promoting the Accra Climate Action Plan through Photography, Documentary and Drama Series, Urban Gardening and Beautification with Advocacy Seminars, Advocacy for Climate Change through Quizzes and Debates, Green Above the Sky of Accra, and Youth Summit: Engaging and Empowering Future Leaders on Climate Change. 

Others are Community-led Waste Segregation, Composting and Public Education, Bike Your “Trotro”: Promoting Cycling as a Sustainable Transport Option, Transforming Coconut Husk into Clean Energy, and The Apata Initiative.

According to the AMA, a total of fifty-eight (58) applications were received during the call for proposals. After a rigorous assessment by a panel of experts using predefined evaluation criteria, the 20 most promising and impactful initiatives were selected based on their alignment with the objectives of the Youth Climate Action Fund and the Accra Climate Action Plan (2021–2025).

The Youth Climate Action Fund, launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies, is currently supporting climate action in 100 cities across 38 countries and six continents.

To date, the global fund has supported more than 1,000 projects, engaged over 100,000 young people, planted over 118,000 trees and 55,000 plants, collected more than 225,000 pounds of recyclables, removed over 100,000 pounds of waste, and established more than 2,800 gardens and 248 green spaces.

The AMA extended its congratulations to the successful applicants and expressed appreciation to all 59 young innovators who submitted proposals. 

“As implementation begins, the Assembly reiterates its commitment to amplifying youth voices in climate governance and fostering a resilient and sustainable Accra,” the statement concluded.