The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has officially launched Round 2 of the Youth in Climate Action (SYCA) Project under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund in Sekondi.

It will be recalled that in August 2024, STMA was selected as one of the global beneficiaries of the Bloomberg Philanthropies grant, receiving $50,000 USD during the first round of the project. Through this initial funding, nine youth-led groups successfully implemented impactful climate-related initiatives within the metropolis.

Focal Person for the project, Alhaji Abu Mahama, acknowledged the achievements of the first cohort, emphasizing that their success paved the way for a second round of funding thus, a doubled grant of $100,000 USD. He expressed gratitude to Bloomberg Philanthropies for their continued confidence in STMA’s commitment to youth-led climate action.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive for STMA, Hon. Fredrick Faustinus Faidoo emphasized the project’s broader goal, which seeks to empower youth not just as participants, but as co-designers, co-creators, and co-governors of sustainable climate solutions. He highlighted the pressing environmental challenges the metropolis faces, including rising temperatures, coastal erosion impacting fishing communities, recurrent flooding, and the rapid loss of green spaces due to urban expansion.

He indicated that in Round 2 of the project, 67 applications were submitted by innovative and passionate youth groups across Sekondi-Takoradi. Following a rigorous screening and evaluation process, 30 groups have been selected to participate in this phase.

He hinted that each group will receive microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 USD to implement their projects.

The Mayor urged the new beneficiaries to build on the success of their predecessors and to use the funds judiciously to drive real, sustainable change in their communities. He noted that the impact of their work could serve as a catalyst not only for local transformation but also as a national inspiration.

He called on stakeholders including government agencies, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and development partners to rally behind the youth in their efforts to make Sekondi-Takoradi a climate-resilient city. “The good work of the first beneficiaries has brought you this opportunity, ensure that your efforts open even more doors while creating the change we need,” he concluded.