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Alejandro’s path to FES started with a spark of curiosity. While searching for ways to bring his ideas to life, he came across The Youth Harbour’s Access Grant, an initiative of FES, that assists youth in equity-deserving groups to enhance networking and knowledge within the climate sector. For Alejandro, it was more than just funding—it was the doorway to a community where his academic training could meet real-world climate action, and where his ideas could start to take root. Alejandro’s journey began in academia, where he gained experience attending research-based conferences supported by his program and supervisor. However, when he discovered FES, it marked a new kind of opportunity. As he put it:
The Access Grant allowed him to step beyond traditional academic spaces and explore environmental and entrepreneurial approaches to climate adaptation–areas he had long been passionate about but was only beginning to explore. With the support of FES, Alejandro attended Camp 2030, a five-day global social impact camp in Upstate New York. For him, the grant was more than just financial support—it was the chance to step into a space of action-oriented young leaders, exchange ideas across cultures, and build something tangible. At Camp 2030, Alejandro met international teammates–from Canada, Australia, and the U.S. where they co-created a wildfire adaptation project, “The Ember Co-op.” Their complementary skills turned an idea into a compelling venture, and the team went on to win first place for the best elevator pitch in the camp’s competition. As Alejandro reflected,
Alejandro left Camp 2030 with far more than just memories—he gained a foundation of practical skills and the confidence to pursue his climate work with greater purpose.
Through the experience, he strengthened his abilities in project management, budgeting, fundraising, networking, and solution design. The camp also expanded his network in transformative ways. He continued collaborating with his teammates on increasing community access to wildfire education, an initiative which eventually received support through The Youth Harbour’s Action Grant.
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Alejandro’s team were later selected as speakers for Global Goals Week in New York City, where they presented their team’s idea in front of UN representatives. As he recalls,
“Being selected to pitch in front of UN representatives was surreal.”
His story didn’t just resonate globally, it also sparked change closer to home. After returning from Camp 2030, Alejandro was featured in the Dalhousie University newspaper, a moment that inspired his peers to explore similar opportunities.
“After Camp 2030, I was featured in the Dalhousie newspaper, and students started reaching out asking how they could get involved too. Sharing my story helped spark curiosity in others,” he said.
Through these experiences, Alejandro became a role model in his community, showing how a single grant can ripple outward to expand networks, inspire others, and lay the foundation for long-term impact.
Building on this momentum, Alejandro enrolled in a university entrepreneurship workshop that provided mentorship and structure to refine his project. Together with his team, he conducted stakeholder interviews, connected with organizations like FireSmart BC, and engaged local municipal officials to understand wildfire management systems. These learnings led the group to narrow their focus to residential areas most at risk–backyards and driveways, where their solutions could be implemented more directly and effectively.
“Before, I wasn’t sure if I could take on fundraising,” Alejandro said. “Now I feel ready for that challenge when the time comes.”
In many ways, this was the turning point where his early spark of interest began transforming into a grounded, action-ready venture.
Alejandro’s vision is rooted in climate adaptation and accessibility, making climate information and tools understandable, actionable, and inclusive. His wildfire resilience project is still in its early stages, but due to the skills and confidence gained through FES support, he is equipped to pursue grants, engage partners, and grow the initiative sustainably.
Alejandro’s story is a testament to the power of investing in youth-led climate action. By offering Access and Action Grants through The Youth Harbour, FES makes it possible for students and early-stage changemakers to move beyond classrooms and into spaces where their ideas can grow.
For Alejandro, that meant transforming academic curiosity into a practical, collaborative project that could help communities prepare for the realities of climate change. Reflecting on the experience, he shared:
“Camp 2030 helped me realize the importance of making climate information accessible. That’s the shift I want to carry forward in my work.”
Every grant, like Alejandro’s, is more than just funding, it’s an investment in leadership, resilience, and a more sustainable future.