The Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, announced the renewal and expansion of Italy’s financial support for the Youth4Climate initiative during the event “Youth4Climate and Cooperation for Sustainability – Toward COP30,” held at the Turin International Book Fair 2025. The renewed contribution marks a significant increase from the Ministry’s original commitment, reinforcing Italy’s long-term support to youth-led climate action. The Minister further emphasized the growing importance of youth participation in climate decision-making and reaffirmed Italy’s dedication to backing young climate leaders worldwide.

Youth4Climate, co-led by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has already supported over 100 youth-led projects across developing economies, such as India and Colombia. With this renewed political and financial backing, the initiative will scale its impact through the 2025 Call for Solutions, which will support 50 new youth-led climate actions globally, and will expand its reach in future editions of the Call, continuing to identify and support innovative, youth-led climate action around the world.

In addition to project funding, Youth4Climate is home to a digital platform that hosts a global community of over 25,000 young climate leaders. The platform offers learning, networking, and collaboration opportunities, and is now also accessible as a mobile app, making it easier than ever for young people around the world to connect, share ideas, and take action.

The initiative also receives support from partners such as the Italian Buddhist Institute Soka Gakkai, and was commended in the 2024 G7 Leaders’ Communiqué as a leading model for youth engagement in climate policy and implementation. It stands today as a flagship initiative within the deepening Italy–UNDP partnership, with UNDP Rome Centre playing a central role in programme design, coordination, and global outreach.

The renewed funding announcement comes as the world looks ahead to COP30, hosted later this year in Belém do Pará, Brazil, under the banner of the Global Mutir?o – a call for collective, community-driven contributions to climate action.