Bulawayo youths awarded US$50k grant for climate action projects

TEN groups of enterprising young people, including two high schools in Bulawayo, are set to make a significant impact on the city’s climate change crisis. These budding innovators have been awarded a combined US$50 000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to implement their innovative climate action projects.

In May, the City of Bulawayo received the US$50 000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund to combat the negative effects of climate change. The city decided to distribute this as micro-grants to innovative young people aged 15 to 24.

A total of 108 applications were received through various platforms.

Speaking during the awarding ceremony held at the large city hall yesterday, Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, said they received an overwhelming number of good quality applications, indicating that the youth of Bulawayo are aware of the climate crisis and its consequences.

“The submissions were of good quality, showing extensive research from young people on a wide range of climate issues. I am glad that the grant funding allowed young people in Bulawayo to unleash their energy towards building climate-led solutions and proposed projects to not only provide climate solutions but also assist in influencing policy making and city strategic direction,” he said.

He also encouraged the young people to implement their projects with vigour so that the city could increase its chances of benefiting from the program once again.

“Those who have received grants this time, let us pursue our projects with much vigour so that we can be considered for further grants from Bloomberg. It is my hope that the city will be eligible to get the additional funding of US$100 000 to support more projects in the course of one year. May I encourage those who have not been selected this time around to not despair but continue to innovate and research,” he said.

The ten youth-led groups are The National University of Science and Technology (Nust) GIS department, Nust Computer Science Department, Youths for Innovation Trust, Dominican Convent High School, Green Hut Trust, The Greater Light Trust, Victory Siyanqoba, Intsha Trust, Young African Leaders Initiative Association, and Bulawayo Adventist High School.

The two local high schools that joined the initiative demonstrate the power of education in nurturing a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens. Their involvement is expected to inspire and mobilise their peers to become active participants in building a greener future.

The projects funded through this grant are anticipated to deliver substantial benefits to the city. By addressing climate change issues head-on, these young innovators will contribute to improving air and water quality, mitigating the effects of climate-related disasters, and creating a more sustainable and resilient Bulawayo.

The projects will focus on Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of greenhouse gas emissions, mobile app development for waste segregation, biogas generation and waste management, development of smart bins, renewable lighting solutions, climate change education and training, as well as sustainable gardening practices.

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better and longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: arts, education, environment, government innovation, and public health.