The Nzema East Municipal Assembly has assured Assembly members and stakeholders of transparency and inclusiveness in the implementation of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund following discussions during its General Assembly Meeting held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The discussions centered on the municipality’s recent selection among 300 cities worldwide to benefit from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund, a global initiative designed to support young people in developing and implementing practical climate solutions within their communities.
Although the initiative had already been secured by the Assembly through a competitive international selection process, concerns and questions surrounding the program’s structure, implementation process, and management reportedly prompted deliberations during the Assembly sitting. Addressing members during the meeting, Municipal Chief Executive Herbert Kuah Dickson described the selection as a major milestone for the municipality and an important step toward attracting international development partnerships and external funding opportunities.
According to him, the program seeks to empower young people between the ages of 15 and 24 to take active roles in addressing climate and environmental challenges through community-based initiatives aligned with the Assembly’s development priorities. “This achievement under my leadership is particularly significant as it represents the first time the Assembly has been competitively selected to benefit from external support through an international funding process,” he stated during the session.
He further explained that the initiative aligns strongly with the Assembly’s broader agenda on climate resilience, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and sustainable municipal development. Under the program, the Assembly is expected to launch a transparent and competitive micro-grant process that will allow young people across the municipality to submit innovative climate-focused project proposals.
The proposed interventions are expected to focus on areas such as climate education, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, circular economy initiatives, disaster mitigation, and community resilience. Assembly officials indicated that the initiative would not only provide funding opportunities for young people but also strengthen collaboration between local authorities and youth groups in tackling climate-related challenges facing communities within the municipality.
As part of the implementation process, the Assembly will provide technical guidance and institutional support to selected youth-led projects from start to completion. Municipal officials believe the initiative could also create opportunities for innovation, local participation, and environmental awareness among the youth. The Assembly further noted that municipalities that demonstrate effective and timely implementation of the initial phase of the program may qualify for additional support to expand youth participation and climate interventions within their jurisdictions.
During the deliberations, officials also acknowledged the contributions of Assembly staff and officers whose efforts supported the successful application process leading to the municipality’s selection under the international initiative. The Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund was expanded in 2026 to include 300 additional cities globally following successes recorded under the program since its launch in 2024. The initiative aims to strengthen youth participation in climate governance while building stronger trust and collaboration between local governments and young people.
Globally, the program has engaged hundreds of thousands of young people in climate-related projects including tree planting, waste management, recycling initiatives, creation of green spaces, and other environmental sustainability interventions.
The Nzema East Municipal Assembly is expected to officially open applications for youth-led climate proposals in late June 2026 through its official communication platforms.
