youth-led climate organisations
500–1000 EUR per research project
Council of Europe countries
5 grants awarded in total
Research period: February – March 2026
Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) is launching a call for youth climate organisations that are interested in conducting participatory community-based research with marginalised communities in collaboration with social justice actors in their regions. The call is a part of Bridging Movements — a multi-phase project supporting collaboration between youth-led climate organisations and the social justice sector.
With this opportunity, we would like to shift the focus of youth climate NGOs from assumed problems and solutions towards community listening, participatory processes, exploration and learning. The purpose of research is to connect with marginalised communities in your region and better understand the realities, needs, and strengths of marginalised youth before moving into action or project implementation.
This call provides a foundation for developing a future community-based project connecting climate and social justice. Organisations will be able to submit this project proposal and apply for funding in later phases of Bridging Movements in summer 2026.
For this call, we invite applicants to collaborate with a partner working on social justice topics (an organisation, a consultant, or community leader) to help you connect with communities you may not yet reach through your current activities.
What is participatory community-based research?
By community-based participatory research, we mean research activities that are conducted with communities rather than for them. This means that marginalised youth should be invited from the beginning of the research process. They can suggest research questions, help choose methods (interviews, focus groups, workshops, surveys, creative approaches, etc.), and contribute to the interpretation of findings.
Research participants
The research should focus on young people from marginalised backgrounds. This includes BIPOC, Roma youth, youth with migration backgrounds, youth with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ youth, rural youth and youth from low-income backgrounds, ethnic minorities, and others.
Community leaders or local organisers who work with marginalised youth can also be involved, but the main focus should remain on youth perspectives.
Aim of the research
Selected projects should address one or more of the following:
- Identify marginalised youth groups your organisation would like to engage in future projects, and the overlapping climate and social justice challenges they face;
- Map existing strengths, initiatives, and knowledge of marginalised youth communities;
- Identify barriers, unmet needs, and structural challenges locally;
- Gather insights that can inform more just, inclusive climate action.
What activities we support
This grant will support small-scale, participatory research activities that will help your organisation get connected to marginalised youth communities and not a comprehensive academic study. Planned activities design should reflect the grant size and timeline.
Example of activities that can be conducted:
- Community consultations and/or community listening
- Focus groups
- Interviews
- Mapping exercises
- Research events, or similar small-scale methods
What activities we do not support
- Research activities with minors (under 18 years old)
- Organisational development
- Capacity-building events (workshops, trainings)
- Any other activities that are not involving community research
Who can apply?
This call is primarily aimed at youth-led environmental organisations that want to meaningfully collaborate with social justice actors and marginalised communities.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be an established organisation based in any of Council of Europe Member states
- Have an existing partner from a social sector, or a clear plan on establishing the partnership for the implementation of research
- Focus the research on marginalised youth and communities
- Have demonstrated experience in youth engagement and youth work
We will prioritise organisations based in less-resourced contexts within Council of Europe countries, particularly those facing economic vulnerability, migration-related challenges, and systemic barriers to the participation of marginalised communities. A limited number of organisations from higher-resourced contexts may be selected.
Additional priority will be given to organisations that participated in the partnership-building workshop.
Applications are limited to one per organisation.
Funding & timeline
- Grant amount: 500–1000 EUR per research project
- Number of grants awarded: 5
- Research period: February – March 2026
Selected organisations are expected to complete research activities by March 31, 2026.
Post-research activities
Cross-regional consultation: the grantees will join an online meeting to present and discuss findings with other organisations, exchange experiences, and learn from peers. This session is an integral part of the project and a valuable opportunity to reflect on your research in a wider context.
Publication and dissemination: YEE will support publishing, translating, and sharing the research results widely, providing visibility for your organisation’s insights and ensuring your work reaches broader audiences.
What other support is provided?
Selected organisations will receive ongoing support beyond the funding, which will include:
- One-to-one meetings to help you organise the research process
- Research guidelines and resources from YEE
- Opportunity to contribute to the Community of Practice (CoP) with other organisations, youth workers and professionals from both sectors
- Access to CoP training sessions on environmental and social topics, based on the needs of the CoP
- An opportunity to create a project rooted in the needs of the community and apply for implementation funding in summer 2026 (up to 5000 EUR).
Selected organisations are expected to complete research activities by March 31, 2026.
How to apply
Submit your application by January 25th 2026. Later applications will not be accepted.
Selected applicants will be notified by February 2, 2026.
Our mission
YEE aims to unite environmental youth non-profit organisations in Europe in order to enhance international cooperation, increase knowledge about the climate crisis, raise awareness of environmental problems and to strengthen participation of youth in environmental decision-making.
Financially supported by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Council of Europe.
