The call for applications opens on August 24 and is aimed at associations, schools, and organizations working with young people aged 15 to 24 to develop innovative climate solutions.
The City of Zagreb will open a public call for micro-grants for young people with ideas to tackle climate challenges in the city starting August 24, 2026. Individual projects can receive between €2,000 and €4,000, with total funding secured through the global Youth Climate Action Fund, led by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The funds are intended for activities that directly combat the effects of climate change. Projects related to adapting to heatwaves, storms, droughts, and flash floods will be financed. In addition, grants are also available for the development of green and blue infrastructure and the preservation of urban biodiversity.
Applications are submitted electronically via the City of Zagreb's website, with the deadline for submitting ideas set for October 5, 2026. Youth associations, civil society organizations, and other non-profit legal entities working with young people, including schools, are eligible to apply.
Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević emphasized the importance of involving young people in decisions about the city's future. "Climate change is already changing the way we live in the city, and that's exactly why we want young people to be part of the solution. This program gives them the opportunity to turn their ideas into concrete projects that will make Zagreb more resilient to heatwaves, storms, and other consequences of climate change," Tomašević said.
He added that it is young people who "will live with the decisions we make today." His deputy, Danijela Dolenec, highlighted the program's dual goal. "Through financial and expert support, we provide young people with the opportunity to turn their ideas into concrete projects that improve the quality of life in the city and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable Zagreb," Dolenec stated. She also noted that the City aims to encourage the development of innovative climate solutions and establish permanent mechanisms for involving young people in shaping city policies.
The competition rules precisely define who can participate. Each submitted project must be designed and implemented by at least two people aged 15 to 24. One applicant can receive funding for up to three distinct projects, provided they are carried out by different groups of young people.
Selected projects will be implemented from November 2026 to April 15, 2027. All results will be presented to the public on Earth Day, April 22, 2027. The City of Zagreb has also announced an additional workshop for interested applicants to help them shape their project proposals.
Zagreb joined this program through the Youth Climate Action Fund, a global initiative of the Bloomberg Philanthropies foundation. For the implementation of the program, the City receives $50,000, which will be entirely directed toward grants for youth projects. Bloomberg Philanthropies, which operates in 700 cities and 150 countries worldwide, donated a total of $4.3 billion in 2025.
