Growing Roots Grant 2026 and Roots (Greenpeace Initiative), Global South

The Growing Roots Grant 2026 is a transformative funding opportunity designed to empower youth-led initiatives on the frontlines of climate change. This program provides critical financial support for new and emerging projects that address systemic inequalities and strengthen community resilience. Beyond direct funding, selected groups receive ongoing coaching and capacity-building support to ensure long-term impact. Consequently, the grant serves as a vital resource for young changemakers seeking to turn audacious ideas into sustainable community-led solutions.

Program Highlights

Feature	Details
Program Title	Growing Roots Grant (GRG) 2026
Organizing Body	Roots (a Greenpeace initiative)
Funding Amount	Up to $10,000 USD per group
Target Audience	Youth-led grassroots initiatives (ages 18–35)
Project Age	New and emerging projects (no older than one year)
Application Deadline	February 28, 2026

Program Overview

The Growing Roots Grant 2026 prioritizes projects that utilize systemic thinking to drive community-level change. Specifically, the program invests in approximately 8 to 10 youth-led initiatives from the Global South. This cycle focuses on three key impact areas:

• Strategic Dialogue and Narrative Building: Projects that create spaces for understanding in polarized contexts, counter misinformation, and build bridges between communities and institutions.
• Advocacy-Oriented Initiatives: Efforts aimed at influencing public policy or legislation at local or municipal levels through research and civic engagement.
• Community Autonomy Initiatives: Projects that build community-owned infrastructure and resources to strengthen long-term local power.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Growing Roots Grant 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Regional Focus: Open to initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
• Community Inclusivity: Applications are also welcomed from diaspora and BIPOC communities located in Global North countries.
• Age Requirement: Group leaders and the majority of decision-makers must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Legal Status: Organizations do not need to be legally registered to apply.
• Project Structure: Projects must be executed collectively by a group rather than by a single individual.
• Exclusions: For-profit ventures are not eligible for this funding cycle.

Curriculum & Support Services

Grantees receive more than just financial capital; the program offers a comprehensive support ecosystem:

• Coaching Program: Each successful initiative is allocated 1 to 2 coaches for project-specific advice on tactics, lobbying, and outreach.
• Capacity-Building Workshops: Training sessions cover creative storytelling, resilience, wellbeing, and counter-disinformation strategies.
• Media Amplification: Grantees benefit from storytelling opportunities and local media support to broadcast their initiatives to a global audience.

Learning Outcomes

Participants in the Growing Roots Grant 2026 program are expected to develop:

• Advanced skills in systemic thinking and grassroots organizing.
• Enhanced capacity for project evaluation and impact measurement.
• Stronger networks with other global youth leaders and influencers.
• The ability to manage a 6-month reporting and implementation cycle effectively.

Registration Details

Detail	Link / Information
Application Link	Apply
Deadline	February 28, 2026
Selection Results	By April 15, 2026
Required Materials	Project proposal, budget, timeline, and a short video introduction
Accepted Languages	English and Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much funding is provided in the Growing Roots Grant 2026?
Groups can receive up to $10,000 USD, though applicants are encouraged to request only what is truly needed for their project.

Can individual activists apply?
No, the grant is intended for collective projects. Projects must be implemented by a group or organization.

Is legal registration required for my group?
No, grassroots initiatives do not need to be legally registered to be eligible for the grant.

What is the maximum age for a project to be considered “emerging”?
Projects or ideas must be no older than one year at the time of application.

When will I know if my application was successful?
Prospective grantees will be notified of the final decisions by April 15, 2026.