Summary

• Province is investing an additional $1.4 million through a shared-cost agreement to support Youth Climate Corps B.C.
• The investment builds on the Province's one-time $3-million grant announced in Budget 2024
• Provincial support is helping expand paid climate-action jobs, training opportunities for young people in communities throughout British Columbia

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More young people in British Columbia are gaining hands-on experience and helping communities respond to climate change through continued provincial support for Youth Climate Corps B.C. (YCCBC).

“Young people in B.C. care deeply about the environment and want an active role in tackling climate change,” said Premier David Eby. “We are creating opportunities for them to do just that. By strengthening the Youth Climate Corps B.C., young people will be able to build valuable skills and experience while helping their communities become more resilient and better prepared for future challenges.”

On Monday, June 22, 2026, Premier Eby and Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities, toured a wildfire mitigation project in West Arm Provincial Park near Nelson with YCCBC crews. The project is helping protect Nelson’s primary water source and critical infrastructure while providing young people with hands-on experience in climate resilience and ecosystem restoration.

Building on provincial investments

The Province is providing $1.4 million through a shared-cost agreement to support the continued growth of YCCBC, building on the $3 million invested in 2024 to expand youth climate employment opportunities throughout British Columbia.

Youth Climate Corps B.C. connects young people between 17 and 30 with paid work and training opportunities that support local climate priorities. Projects focus on areas such as wildfire-risk reduction, ecosystem restoration, energy efficiency, food security, community engagement and the sharing of traditional ecological knowledge.

Supporting communities around British Columbia

With support from the Province and local partners, YCCBC is operating in 11 communities in 2026, making this its largest year to date.

“The Youth Climate Corps has deep roots in the Kootenays and I’ve seen first-hand how it’s grown from a small local effort into something with impact across the province,” Anderson said. “It speaks to the strength of community-driven ideas, and the leadership young people are bringing to this important work.”

Projects are tailored to local priorities and include:

• building retrofits and energy-efficiency work in Squamish
• biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem restoration in the Comox Valley
• eco-tourism and river stewardship programming in Hazelton
• projects supporting disaster response, food security and community engagement throughout the province

“Addressing climate change requires practical solutions and a skilled workforce to deliver them,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Youth Climate Corps B.C. is helping young people gain valuable experience while supporting projects that strengthen communities and build resilience. This investment is helping prepare British Columbia for the future while creating opportunities for young people today.”

Creating opportunities for young people

Young people across B.C. are eager to get involved, with applications continuing to outnumber available placements. During the 2026 hiring season, YCCBC received more than 600 applications for approximately 60 placements, highlighting the strong interest in opportunities to contribute to climate action while gaining valuable skills and experience.

Supporting youth employment and community-based climate action is part of the Province’s work to help communities become more resilient, prepare for climate change and build a cleaner economy.

Quote:

Ben Simoni, executive director, Youth Climate Corps B.C. –

“This support is helping more young people turn concern about climate change into practical action. Youth Climate Corps provides opportunities to build skills and experience while contributing to projects that make communities stronger and more resilient.”

Quick Facts:

• YCCBC was established in Nelson in 2020 and provides paid employment and training opportunities for people 17 to 30.
• This summer, YCCBC programs will operate in 11 communities throughout British Columbia: Alert Bay, Courtenay, Kamloops, Kelowna, Hazelton, East Kootenay, Richmond, Squamish, Victoria, Vernon and West Kootenay.
• In 2025, YCCBC operated seven programs and employed 37 young people, contributing more than 3,500 paid workdays to projects throughout British Columbia.
• Current partners include municipalities, non-profit organizations and First Nations, including the 'Namgis First Nation and Wildsight Society.

Learn More:

• To learn more about Youth Climate Corps B.C., visit https://www.youthclimatecorps.com/