Bank Australia renews partnership with Indigenous Youth Climate Network
Bank Australia has renewed its long-term partnership with Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network (Seed), committing $75,000 in untied funding per year for two years, with an option for a third.
The funding, delivered through Bank Australia’s impact fund, aims to support First Nations youth leadership on the frontlines of climate change.
Key Points
- Bank Australia renews long-term partnership with Seed with $75,000 annual untied funding
- Commitment spans two years with option for a third year of support
- Funding provided through Bank Australia’s impact fund for people and planet
- Seed to allocate resources via self-determination to advance strategy and pillars
- National Leadership Team program runs 17–20 April in Meanjin (Brisbane)
- Thirty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth leaders attend intensive three-day gathering
- Bank Australia cites customer support for climate action and First Nations respect
The funding is drawn from Bank Australia’s impact fund, which supports projects that create positive outcomes for people and planet. The bank stated that its approach is intended to enable long-term impact and allow for adaptability to changing circumstances.
Seed was founded in 2014 as part of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and became an independent grassroots organisation in 2021. Bank Australia has partnered with Seed since 2022, with prior support focused on training and development for young First Nations leaders and advocacy campaigns. The renewed commitment continues this support, with the added flexibility of untied funding.
“This partnership has been transformative for Seed.”
— Angel Owen, Bank Australia
Seed National Director Angel Owen said the bank’s support allows the network to concentrate on core objectives and youth leadership in climate justice. Owen described the alignment as a shared commitment and emphasised the value of Bank Australia’s approach to people, planet and climate action.
Under the renewed funding, Seed is advancing key initiatives, including the National Leadership Team program in Meanjin (Brisbane) this week. The gathering will bring together 30 Seed volunteer leaders, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, from across the country.
The program is designed to deepen leadership skills, strengthen relationships, and help shape and expand Seed’s strategic work for the year ahead. Participants will then play key roles in supporting newly structured volunteer teams across the network throughout the year.
About Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network
Seed describes itself as Australia’s first Indigenous youth-led climate network. Its mission is to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to protect Country, culture, and communities from the causes and impacts of climate change.
The organisation’s leadership and staff are majority First Nations and under 35 years old, grounding its work in lived experience, cultural knowledge, and youth leadership.
Seed’s vision centres on a strong and connected network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who are empowered and leading the fight for climate justice. The network continues to build a movement of young leaders committed to climate justice and community protection. Find out more about Seed’s campaigns: Our Impact – Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network.
