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For many young leaders in the climate space, attending global events like New York Climate Week feels like a distant dream. But for Luiza Teixeira, that dream became reality with the support of The Youth Harbour’s Access Grant, created by FES. From sharing stories of sustainable fashion to making career-defining connections, Luiza’s journey is a powerful reminder of how a single opportunity can shape a young leader’s path. During the Access Grant period, Luiza worked with Threading Change, a Vancouver-based nonprofit driving systemic change in the fashion industry. Focused on ethical production, circular economies, and equitable access to resources, Threading Change is creating a future where fashion supports both people and the planet. As their Communications and Marketing lead, Luiza amplifies stories that matter, whether it be highlighting grassroots leaders or bringing attention to sustainable supply chains. When the opportunity arose to attend New York Climate Week (NYCW), Luiza was determined to be there. For her, NYCW wasn’t just another conference, it was a chance to learn from global leaders, connect with like-minded changemakers, and bring back insights to strengthen her work in climate communications. When her director shared the Access Grant application with her, it felt like the perfect opportunity. While Threading Change had received funding support before, this was Luiza’s first time personally applying for and receiving a grant to attend a professional event. With funding secured, travel and accommodation no longer stood as barriers.
Instead, she could focus entirely on making the most of the experience and representing her organization on a global stage. New York Climate Week offered Luiza an immersive experience. Each day was packed with panels, networking sessions, and events featuring both grassroots organizations and major players in the sustainability sector. Her goal was to build relationships with sustainable fashion brands and partners–some of whom she had previously reached out to without success. Being at the event allowed her to connect with these individuals in person, sparking conversations and opportunities that had felt inaccessible online.
One standout connection was with Brittany Sierra, Founder of the Sustainable Fashion Forum. Brittany invited Luiza to attend her “Fusion Fashion Summit,” which featured multiple panels on technology and fashion, followed by a private dinner. The chance to connect with Brittany–someone who had also started her nonprofit from scratch–felt especially meaningful.
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Luiza also gained valuable insights as a communications professional. Observing how large-scale climate events were marketed and organized inspired new ideas for how Threading Change could amplify its own initiatives and engage audiences more effectively. She learned from how the events were promoted, documented, and shared, and carried those insightful learnings into her own communications and partnerships work.
The impact of Luiza’s attendance extended far beyond her own professional growth. Back in Vancouver, she hosted a debrief call for her teammates, sharing key learnings from the people she spoke to and the events she attended. Externally, she translated those insights into social media content, creating LinkedIn and Instagram posts on topics such as greenwashing, accessible climate funding, emerging technologies in sustainable fashion, and sustainable supply chains.
Attending New York Climate Week also increased visibility and credibility for Threading Change. Sharing updates about the event on social media platforms attracted new interest and engagement, signaling to peers and supporters that youth-led organizations can and should have a presence in prominent l climate conversations.
This visibility helped position Threading Change as a credible voice in the sustainable fashion space and reinforced the importance of supporting small, grassroots organizations in global arenas.
For Luiza, the experience deepened her commitment to climate work. Seeing the diversity of approaches and organizations at Climate Week–from youth-led initiatives to established global brands–opened her perspective to the many ways individuals and organizations can contribute to systemic change.
Since attending New York Climate Week, Luiza has returned to New York for other climate-related opportunities, carrying with her the confidence and connections she built through FES’ support.
“Being able to go [to an event] in person reinforced my interest in working in the field,” she reflected. “It opened my mind to all the opportunities that exist in the climate industry and the different kinds of people that can work in it.”
Today, Threading Change continues to work with FES to advance their mission. Grants like the one that supported Luiza ensure that young leaders and grassroots organizations are not only present, but influential, in spaces where critical climate decisions are made. Ongoing support and increased awareness of available resources could help amplify the ripple effects even further.
Luiza’s journey underscores the importance of removing financial barriers for young changemakers.
“I will always remember when I was able to go to Climate Week for work and attend all of those panels. That memory will always stay with me.”
By supporting youth project funding, we ensure that passionate leaders can bring their voices to global conversations, build meaningful networks, and return home with insights that strengthen their communities.
Every grant is more than just financial support–it’s an investment in the future of climate action, empowering youth to lead, innovate, and inspire.