Enlight Foundation, The Patchwork Collective, Lever for Change Announce $25M Award for Emerging Climate Champions

Emerging Climate Champions Award

Global open call provides flexible, multiyear gifts of $1 million to youth-led organizations advancing climate solutions across the globe. 

We believe young people hold the brightest and boldest solutions to climate change and deserve the opportunity to bring those ideas to life.”

— Xin Liu, Founder and President of Enlight Foundation

CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, June 26, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Today, Enlight Foundation, The Patchwork Collective, and Lever for Change announced the launch of the Emerging Climate Champions Award, a $25 million global open call that will provide flexible, multiyear gifts of $1 million to youth-led organizations advancing climate solutions across the globe.

Today’s young people will bear the burden

of the adverse impacts of climate change, yet little funding goes to youth-led solutions. Global annual funding for climate change work represents less than 2% of total philanthropic giving, or about $16 billion. Support for youth-led climate initiatives is even more limited, with just $14.2 million in annual grants. Informed by feedback from young climate leaders around the world, the Emerging Climate Champions Award directly takes into account youth perspectives, as well as cultural and localized contexts for climate work.

This open call seeks to shine a spotlight on climate organizations with youth leadership (ages 15-35). The Award invites applications from organizations with at least two years of operation that are community-led, and that have demonstrated experience, strong potential, and measurable results in advancing durable climate solutions in the communities they serve. Organizations from all around the world are encouraged to apply, including those from historically under-resourced and/or under-represented communities, such as Indigenous-led organizations, women-led organizations, grassroots organizations, and others. The Award encourages more of us to rethink the role of young people in addressing the various climate challenges faced by communities around the world.

​​​“We believe young people hold the brightest and boldest solutions to climate change and deserve the opportunity to bring those ideas to life,” said Xin Liu, Founder and President of Enlight Foundation. “Young people face the most significant risks amidst the escalating threats of climate change, yet they are often underfunded and lack support. Our aim with this open call is to invite young leaders from all around the world to share their lived experiences and put their innovative ideas into action.”

The Award welcomes organizations working across a full spectrum of climate issues and solutions, including but not limited to areas such as education, movement building, climate justice, science/technology, economic opportunity, community resilience, conservation, advocacy, sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, and others.

​​​“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a dangerous threat that affects every aspect of our lives—our health, economies, and future,” said Cedric Dageville, Principal at The Patchwork Collective. “Through this partnership and global open call, we are eager to learn more from inspiring youth-led organizations and help drive effective solutions to combat the climate crisis.”

The Emerging Climate Champions Award is managed by Lever for Change, a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation that leverages its networks to help donors find and fund bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems.

“It is often those who are most impacted by an issue who lead with urgency, creativity, and courage,” said Kristen J. Molyneaux, President of Lever for Change. “At Lever for Change, we believe that transformative solutions come from bold, passionate problem solvers. Young leaders are not only envisioning a more sustainable and equitable future—they are building it.”

Interested applicants are invited to visit climate.leverforchange.org for more information and to take the Organization Readiness Tool assessment to determine their eligibility. Applicants must register to apply by August 15 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Once registered, applicants must submit an online application by September 22 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.