With the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), the municipality partnered with the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3) to seek out fresh ideas for addressing the climate emergency. We discovered that climate solutions are flourishing in many of our youth-led organizations.
In April 2024, the municipality was one of 100 cities that received $50,000 USD ($66,000 CAD) from Bloomberg Philanthropies and United Cities and Local Governments as part of the new YCAF program, which hopes to change how cities engage with young people and how young people engage with their city. On September 16, 2024, Mayor Mike Savage presented the recipients of YCAF funding with small grants of up to $5,000 USD ($6,600 CAD).
Upcoming YCAF events
DalSol Solar Car Open House
Time: November 30, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Emera Idea Building, 1345 Norma Eddy Lane, Halifax, NS
H.E.A.T. Youth Action Team's Composting Day
Time: November 30, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: 2540 Prospect Road, Hatchet Lake, NS--
Spotlight: Shambhala School
Shambhala School is conducting a research project integrated into its Science 8, Science 9, Science Fair and High School Biology curriculums. Their project is providing hands-on lessons in cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and climate change by culturing several species of freshwater and marine algal species in the classroom. Shambhala School hopes to encourage students to tackle climate change at the local level and to spread awareness about possible solutions.
Spotlight: DalSol
The Dalhousie Solar Car Team (DalSol) is a student-led group dedicated to designing a 100% solar-powered electric vehicle (EV). They were the first team from Atlantic Canada to race at the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) in 2023, and followed it up with another race in 2024. The team is planning to return to FSGP in 2026.
DalSol's goal is to give students practical experience with problem solving and green transportation, and to spur innovation in renewable energy and EV technology.
Spotlight: Hope Blooms
For almost two decades, Hope Blooms has been encouraging community involvement in local food production. Over the years, the Hope Blooms Campus has added a community farmers market, an after-school leadership program for youth and the Green Labs mentorship program. This organization used YCAF funding to commission a large community mural by young residents and a local graffiti artist. The mural they created together depicts a scene of new growth and dedication to caring for the planet.
YCAF projects
- Caring for the Barrens, community capacity building
- DalSol (Dalhousie University), Solar-Powered Electric Race Vehicle open house
- Girl Child Art Foundation + Banye Art, My Climate and Art: A Climate Justice Art Exhibition
- Hope Blooms, community climate action mural
- Level: Changing Lives Through Law, Environmental Justice Program
- Oakhill Outdoor, Oakhill biomass project
- ONE North End, low carbon African Nova Scotian community ideas mobilization
- Preston Area Food Network, Growing Resilience: Youth Empowerment Through Sustainable Gardening
- Rotaract Club of Halifax, Seeds of Tomorrow
- Shambhala School, Turning the (Green) Tide: Investigating the Applications of Algal Climate Relief
- Woodlawn High School’s Oceans Club and the Canadian Wildlife Federation, From Land to Sea