Youth Climate Action Fund

The Heat Is On is an interactive role-playing game that challenges 14 to 20 years to tackle climate adaptation.

Set in 2050, in a world 1.5°C warmer than pre-industrial times, players step into the shoes of local councils, making critical decisions to help communities adapt and thrive.

The grant resulted in four young people being trained as game facilitators, who then led 8 workshops involving up to 200 young people.

Game facilitators were mentored by the University of Tasmania who designed the game.

Student-led sustainability group, the Susteinerbles from Tarrameah Steiner School, developed their idea to measure and reduce school transport emissions.

Over 15 weeks, students tracked current emissions and explored cleaner transport solutions.

This led to development of a plan to communicate and engage with the school on transport issues and planning of an electric vehicle charging system linked to the school's solar system.

The climate friendly initiative deepened students' understanding of electric transport technology and the national energy market.

The Communte4Climate walk and ride challenge encouraged active transport and was led by the UTAS Environment Society.

More than 120 locals logged more than 6000kms of active commute trips in one month to work or school via bike, scooter, walking/running or public transport to reduce their carbon footprint.

They gained points to go in the run to win the challenge as well as enter the raffle for a pool of prizes donated by local businesses.

The Society complemented this event with events at the nexus of mental health, climate, creativity and culture that engaged over 100 attends in importance of art in environmental campaigning, simple ways to reduce your own climate footprint and get involved with your community.

The Newtown Rivulet Platypus Project, led by Coexist youth leaders, undertook design and planning to restore platypus habitat in Newtown Rivulet while engaging students from five local schools.

In collaboration with Nipaluna Nursery, these young leaders delivered six hands-on events, involving 35 community members in environmental restoration, rubbish collection, and conservation discussions.

Additionally, they expanded with four extra events across the City of Hobart, including beach cleanups and volunteer activations, engaging another 33 participants.

The Youth Climate Action Fund supports youth-led activities that put in place urgent climate solutions that will help create a climate ready Hobart in the following priority areas:

• Zero emissions
• Building climate resilience
• Mobilising community action

What funds are available?

$1000 - $7500

Where can I find the guidelines?

Youth Climate Action Fund Guidelines(PDF, 4MB)

Am I eligible to apply?

If you are a youth led group, or youth serving organisation then yes.

There must be at least three young people aged between 15 and 24 years of age as part of the Core Team.

You must also have adequate public liability insurance and if you have previously received a grant from the City of Hobart, you must have fulfilled the conditions of the grant by the due date and have no overdue debts to the City.

Read the Guidelines, page 3, for further information on eligible and ineligible applicants.

What kind of activities can be funded?

The activities must help create a climate ready Hobart by focusing on one or more of the priorities:

• reduce emissions,
• build climate resilience and/or
• mobilise community action.

And there must be benefits the wider Hobart community.

When does the project need to start or end by?

Activities must start and finish between 1 May 2025 and 31 October 2025.

What if my project is already underway?

Programs and activities that have already commenced or a scheduled prior to the eligible activity timeframe will not be funded.

Where can my activity take place?

The activities of the grant must take place in the City of Hobart local government area.

What are the boundaries of the Hobart local government area?

View this interactive map to zoom into the boundaries of the Hobart local government area.

I don't live in Hobart, can I apply?

Yes, as long as the activities supported by the grant occur in and provide benefit to the City of Hobart local government area.

What happens if I miss the submission deadline?

Late submissions are not accepted. It is best to ensure the application is submitted well before time.

When will applicants be notified of the outcome?

Successful applicants will be contacted by Tuesday 22 April 2025. All applicants will be notified of the final program outcome by the end of May.

Can I apply for in-kind costs?

This is a cash grant and in-kind requests are not available in this grant.

I am not sure if I have an outstanding acquittal?

Please email fundingprogram@hobartcity.com.au with details of the past grant you have received.

Include your:

• application number
• name of project
• name of applicant
• auspicing body.

What is auspicing?

It is when the applicant is not an organisation or legal entity.

An auspice organisation is a registered organisation operating as a not for profit, will be responsible for the financial management and acquittal of grant funds, as well as all public liability insurance risk for the funded project.

For more information visit the Not-for-profit Law website

When do I need to be auspiced?

If you are a youth led group, you will need an auspicing incorporated organisation.

If you don’t know an auspicing organisation, we can connect you with one. Applicants must provide confirmation and details from their auspicing organisation, including a sample letter from the resources for grant applicants page.

How do I apply?

Applications must read the guidelines in their entirety before applying, then submit application forms through the SmartyGrants portal.

Applicants are required to register for a SmartyGrants account. There is a SmartyGrants Help Guide available that explains essential steps needed to complete and submit an application form.

When will the grant be open again?

This grant round is biannual and will reopen again in July.

Check the website for most up to date information on all our programs.

How do I find out more about the Youth Climate Action Fund?

• Review the Youth Climate Action Fund Guidelines(PDF, 4MB), ensuring to pay particular attention to eligibility and assessment criteria.
• Review the rest of the information on this page.
• We are here to help. Reach out to our Youth Climate Action team directly, and we can give you a call to discuss your ideas! Email us at YouthClimateAction@hobartcity.com.au.