The Kingston Youth Climate Council
Empowering Youth, Empowering Change: How a $16,000 Grant Sparked Climate Action
When the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area awarded a $16,000 grant to the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network’s (FABN) Youth Climate Action Summit, it did more than fund an event, it empowered a generation to lead the charge against climate change.
Victoria Renner, Program Manager for the Summit, reflected on the impact of the Foundation’s support, “The Community Foundation grant was so helpful because it gave us time to work with youth to plan the Summit rather than seeking funding.” This critical funding helped ensure the Summit could focus on its mission: bringing together youth from across Eastern Ontario to develop actionable climate solutions.
The Summit, now heading into its fifth year, has grown from an online event during the pandemic to a vibrant, in-person gathering. The most recent Summit, this past November, was held at the Central Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library, a venue that welcomed nearly 100 youth participants. The event is intentionally designed to be by youth, for youth, with participants primarily aged 14 to 18, and a growing number of middle school teams joining the movement.
Many students keep coming back year after year, building a strong sense of community and continuity. “We have a really high retention rate and have built a lot of relationships with the local schools in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere region. About 90% of the participants are attending through their school, but we do welcome all youth, including individuals and those affiliated with community groups like the Kingston Youth Climate Council,” Renner noted.
Teams, typically three to six students strong, spend a full day immersed in climate education, hands-on workshops, and collaborative planning. “We start with a keynote address, to give everybody a foothold in climate action, noticing that youth joining from different areas are coming in with different amounts of prior knowledge,” Renner explained. “The keynote is intended to be factual, but also hopeful and inspiring.” Workshops offered multiple entry points to the climate movement, to engage a variety youth interests and goals. Youth chose 2 of 10 workshops to attend; topics ranged from nature therapy to seed saving, fundraising for eco clubs, and creative climate communication through memes. “It was a wonderful opportunity to introduce youth to some of the great work that is already underway in Kingston and area!”
One of the Summit’s defining features is its emphasis on practical action. “Our goal is to empower the youth to take on a climate action plan in their school or in their community,” Renner said. Thanks to additional sponsorships, the Summit also offers $2,000 in seed funding for teams to launch their projects, initiatives that have included school composting, recycling programs, and a plant-based cooking series.
Reflecting on the youth involved, Renner remarked, “People wonder what the world is coming to. This generation is wonderful. Youth volunteers ensured that many hands made light work. One group did the setup in the morning, and another group did the teardown at the end.” Youth also introduced and thanked speakers created eco-friendly name tags and thank you cards and ran the registration table. The Summit’s legacy is clear: a growing network of passionate, empowered youth, ready to make a difference, made possible by FABN’s coordination and the community Foundation’s support.
Looking ahead, the next Youth Climate Action Summit will be held in Cornwall, continuing to expand its reach and impact. You can learn more about the event contact by contacting Victoria Renner at victoria@fabn.ca, or by visiting: