The Impact Challenge.

Climate Justice & Community Resilience.

Climate change – it’s time for action. Do you want to help create solutions for climate justice & community resilience?

Over the past year extreme weather events including floods, droughts and fires have caused devastation across Aotearoa. The need for climate justice, for adaptation and future proofing our communities is real. Young people and youth movements have the power to make transformative changes in our world and this includes tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time: climate disruption. From July - September, we will back young people across Aotearoa to dream into, and build, climate justice solutions with your community. In the wake of a year of extreme weather events, the time for solutions is now.

Expressions of interest now open. Apply now!

Brand new in 2023 – The Impact Challenge exists to back young people in Aotearoa aged 16–30 with the skills, confidence, connections and support to help build more resilient communities and bring climate justice to life. Anyone can take part. We are particularly interested in supporting young people who identify as Māori, Pasifika, migrants of colour, former refugees, disabled, queer, trans and gender diverse, neurodivergent, working class or living in rural and regional areas. You can get involved either as an individual, or as a crew. It’s free to take part – and you’ll get opportunities to apply for funding, access mentoring, workshops and support.

For Young People – if you’re interested in taking part in the challenge either as an individual or as a group, please complete the simple form below.

Express Your Interest >

For organisations – get involved in supporting the challenge and / or a group of young people from your community, please complete the simple form below.

Support the Challenge >

Why get involved?

The chance to learn more about what climate change means for the future of our communities, and what we can do about it.
Opportunities for connection & networking, and learning new knowledge, skills and tools.
Free access to 12-weeks of inspirational speakers, workshops, mentoring and support
The opportunity to apply for one of x25 micro-grants of $200 to help bring your crew together to explore solutions for climate justice and community resilience
Access to a bigger prize pool with funding to help support the top community voted ideas
Scholarship support available to attend The Impact Awards in Wellington

Key Dates for 2023.

7th June: The Impact Challenge launches at Parliament
8–9th June: Festival for the Future – keynote speakers on climate leadership in action; and workshops to help develop a vision for climate justice
25th June: Applications for $200 micro-grants close (Sunday 6pm), with successful grantees selected and notified shortly after in the days that follow.
26th June - 9th September: You'll have ten weeks to design and deliver a workshop to explore pathways and climate solutions in your community, and start developing ideas and plans to bring this to life.
21st August - 10th September: Applications open for x3 prizes of $1,000. You’ll have three weeks to finalise your ideas for impact and apply for funding.
11th - 17th September: Voting opens. You will have the opportunity to vote for which ideas you think should receive the $1,000 prize pools.
30th September: The Impact Awards in Wellington + winners celebrated alongside other young changemakers and senior leaders from across the nation.

Keen to learn more or discuss? Get in touch!

Primary contact – Anna Moreton – Anna@inspiringstories.org.nz // 020 4174 1217