2025 YCLC Cohort
Ends on
About the Young Climate Leaders of Color Program
The Young Climate Leaders of Color (YCLC) program at People's Climate Innovation Center supports the next generation of climate leaders through radical transformation. We recognize there are many diverse entry points for catalyzing change within our movement ecosystem, and we value all approaches to change, from music and the arts, the power of culture, to community organizing and radical policy advocacy, restorative and healing connections to the Earth, liberation, and many others.
YCLC aims to build a national network of young leaders of color who are learning, growing, and advancing climate justice work in their communities. YCLC seeks to immerse youth in climate justice, arts, story-based advocacy, cultural strategy, targeted direct action, community organizing, transformative change, ecological principles, and leadership development with amazing strategists, leaders, and political activists nationwide. YCLC participants will have the space to shape their projects into what they want to see and what they feel serves them and their communities.
This opportunity is available for a cohort of up to 40 young people, each of whom will receive a stipend of $5,000 to participate in the year-long YCLC program. These funds will support the cohort members for their time and may be used for direct implementation of a project if they choose. Young people in the cohort will have the opportunity for mentoring, project support, monthly training/learning calls, connecting with a national network of peers, and much more!
Funding Opportunity:
Funding is available for new projects or already-in-motion initiatives that need additional support and may cover training, classes, workshops, certifications, education costs, the purchase of tools and equipment, etc. Projects must be completed in a community or group setting. Projects must align with a community-driven approach that centers on the needs, impact, and solutions for and in the community. All awards will be considered based on the merit of each application. Fund recipients will be selected following a panel application review and (if needed) an interview process. We welcome previous applicants and alumni of our sibling program, Young Black Climate Leaders, who have applied in the past to re-apply if interested. The exception to this is if you are a part of the current YBCL or YCLC cohort. Current YCLC cohort members are not eligible to apply as core programming will be standard for each incoming cohort training.
Application criteria:
Applicants must:
- Identify as Black, African, Afro-Latinx, and/or part of the Afro-Indigenous diaspora, Indigenous, and/or as a Person of Color.
- Be based and implement their project in one of the following places: the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Be 18-28 years old (OK to turn 18 by January 1, 2025, or turn 29 during the project).
- Be available to complete a Zoom interview (if needed). Interviews will be scheduled between October 15 and October 29, 2024.
To receive funding, you must be able to commit to:
- Signing an award agreement and providing a scholarship reflection at the conclusion of your project term. (Reflections can be videos, songs, blogs, photojournalism, zines, art, or interviews).
- Completing all surveys and evaluations.
- Attending at least eight virtual monthly learning calls/training (up to three (3) hours/month).
- Attending the YCLC virtual welcome/orientation session on Thur January 16, 2025
- Making a one-year commitment to complete the program from January 2025 to December 2025
- Attending an in-person gathering from Tue. Feb 4, 2025 - Fri . Feb 7, 2025
- (Travel expenses will be covered, and safety protocols for COVID in place, including masks, daily tests, and hand sanitizer. All event participants (including staff) must test and report any positive results to staff).
Application Timeline:
Timeline: Program applications will be accepted from Tue Jul 23, 2024 to Tue Sep 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm Pacific.
- Interviews will be held from Oct 15 - Oct 29 2024.
- Decisions will be announced on Tue December 3 2024
- Orientation will be Thur. January 16 2025
- In-person convening will be Tue. Feb 4, 2025 - Fri . Feb 7, 2025
Please let us know if you need any special accommodations to submit an application.
Please refer to our FAQs before directing questions to yclc@climateinnovation.net