UMI Fund Call for Applications: Youth Zero Waste projects 2025 (microgrants of up to 5,000 USD awarded)
Closing Date: 29 September 2025
UMI Fund Call for Applications: Youth Zero Waste projects 2025 (microgrants of up to 5,000 USD awarded)
Overview
The world needs to transition to zero-waste in a just and equitable way and need to ensure that all communities everywhere have access to environmentally just waste management. The world needs strong people-powered zero-waste projects and campaigns around the world. Projects and campaigns that centre communities and put pressure on governments and corporations to support and implement the fair transition to zero waste.
The UMI Fund is looking to support emerging young climate leaders and highly promising youth-led organisations or groups working on strategic projects and community efforts to accelerate zero waste and environmental justice.
Microgrants are designed to support youth individuals, groups or organizations who are starting and don’t yet have access to larger grants. UMI Fund will be awarding up to 20 grants for Youth Zero Waste projects that focus on implementing environmentally just zero waste solutions (compost sites) through informal waste worker inclusion.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be between the ages of 18-34. If a group or organization is applying, it must be led by youth in this age range.
- Applications must present a clear project idea about an environmentally just transition to Zero Waste with a clear timeline for implementation between 3-9 months (between January 2026 and September 2026), as well as have identified key stakeholders and/or audiences that you want to influence and engage or mobilise, how you will assess your impact
- Eligible applicants include youth individuals, youth groups, and youth-led organizations. Previous microgrant winners and those who have received other direct funding from the UMI Fund are not eligible.
- Only applications that will have submitted a short video (no longer than 3 min) will be taken into consideration. The video should consist of the applicant introducing themselves and their group/organization (if applicable), and what inspires and compels them to implement this project focusing on organics and waste workers’ rights.
- Projects UMI Fund are looking to support with this grant should fit in one of the following categories:
- Creative and/or innovative zero-waste projects that focus on implementing composting and/or informal workers’ rights and inclusion.
- Community-led
- Relationship-building with diverse stakeholders focusing on informal waste worker inclusion and environmental justice principles.
- Implementation of organics waste management (compost).
- Campaigning activities to help shift public narratives around environmentally just organic waste management. For example (but not limited to), making a case for zero-waste, countering the false solution of “waste to energy,” and/or highlighting the co-benefits of zero-waste (e.g., climate, livelihoods, health, economic benefit, transport), advocating for informal workers’ rights and inclusion.
Priority will be given to groups from the Global South and communities facing greater social, economic, or environmental challenges. UMI Fund regrets that this particular Youth Zero Waste projects opportunity is not open for applicants based in India.
UMI Fund is particularly interested in projects and campaigns that embed environmental justice principles:
- Respect planetary boundaries to ensure intergenerational equity
- Respect for all waste pickers and waste workers
- Enhance inclusion and build from local knowledge
- Respond to pollution and environmental harm with accountability
- Support holistic solutions through systems change
What UMI Fund will not fund:
- Education or awareness-raising projects
- Plastic recycling projects
- Business start-ups
- Tree Planting
- Beach & community clean-ups
- Conservation projects
- Attending conferences and events.
How much can I apply for?
You can apply for a grant of up to the equivalent of 5,000 USD in your local currency.
Selection process
Your application and video will be reviewed by a committee of experts from around the world who actively implement organic waste management and run campaigns on zero waste and informal waste workers’ inclusion.
UMI Fund selection criteria will include:
- Projects that fulfill all the Eligibility criteria
- Commitment and values: Applicants commit to an environmentally just process and project and/or they have shown through prior work that they are committed to climate justice and have an inclusive non-violent approach to their project. They have demonstrated how they will embed environmental justice principles.
- Level of understanding of zero-waste: Applicants are knowledgeable about zero-waste best practices and community outreach.
- Impact potential: The project has the potential for real impact – and applicants have clearly explained how their idea could lead to change. The project is strategic and has clear objectives within a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities in their context.
Your activities must be non-partisan, non-violent and anti-oppression in nature.
Funds will be distributed in December 2025/January 2026. Activities to be implemented between January 2026 and September 2026 (dates determined by your project timeline).
About UMI Fund
The Urban Movement Innovation Fund works to connect, align, and strengthen citizen engagement and activity for a more socially just, zero-carbon future. UMI Fund support innovative projects and foster collaboration across critical sectors and locations worldwide.
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