UMI Fund is a global catalyst accelerating socially just and equitable climate action by supporting frontline youth-led movements and grassroots organisations. Focused on zero waste and environmental justice, UMI Fund partners with young leaders and communities to drive systemic change that centres the most affected, especially in the Global South. The Fund provides accessible, flexible microgrants and capacity-building resources to emerging youth activists, enabling them to lead effective campaigns and projects that integrate climate justice principles.
Its approach is deeply grounded in environmental justice, respecting planetary boundaries and workers’ rights, fostering inclusion, and advancing systems change rather than quick fixes. UMI Fund’s vision is a zero-carbon future where communities thrive through collective action and equitable solutions.
UMI Fund supports strategic intersectional youth movements connecting climate justice with social equity, recognising the unique power of young people to shape policy and practice globally. It invests in initiatives that build movement resilience, security for activists, and leadership growth while minimising administrative barriers to funding.
Programs include youth climate funds that prioritise innovative zero waste and organic waste management projects, especially through informal waste workers’ inclusion. Through strategic grantmaking, mentoring, and shared learning, UMI Fund amplifies youth voices to challenge dominant narratives, expose false climate solutions, and promote regenerative community-led models.
Operating internationally, UMI Fund encourages intergenerational solidarity and global collaboration, aiming for outcomes that extend beyond immediate projects to systemic transformation. By connecting grassroots activism with philanthropy and networks, it seeks to build lasting power for justice-oriented climate solutions.
UMI Fund’s commitment to social inclusion, youth empowerment, and environmental stewardship makes it a unique pillar in the global climate justice ecosystem, continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance impact and equitable growth for those most vulnerable to climate change effects.
This comprehensive strategy empowers emerging leaders to enact meaningful change through funded microgrants, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building, helping ensure that youth movements remain at the forefront of climate justice advocacy worldwide.
