The youth-driven Carmel Green Teen Micro-Grant Program is offering $10,000 in funding for volunteer eco-friendly, green projects designed and carried out by young people in Carmel or Clay Township in Indiana. Applications are due October 15, 2009 for projects to be completed through 2010.

The goal of the Carmel Green Teen Micro-Grant Program is to challenge area youth to use their skills, creativity and energy to help make Carmel / Clay Township in Indiana a greener community by funding 22 eco-friendly youth-inspired projects. Applications and details are available on the website, CarmelGreenTeen.org.

Carmel Green Teen Micro-Grants are available through a generous $10,000 award from Clorox Green Works natural cleaners. In April 2009, the local youth group Carmel Area Roots & Shoots (CAR&S) was awarded one of five nationwide Green Heroes grants to fund their micro-grant program. CAR&S, a local youth group of about a dozen Carmel High School students, is one of over 8,000 worldwide Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots groups that encourage youth to make positive changes that demonstrate compassion for people, animals, and the environment.

Carmel High School Freshman and CAR&S youth leader Lauren Gibson noted, “We are so excited to give youth the power to have a positive impact on our community without money as a limiting factor.”

Sample green youth projects may include planting trees (to reduce CO2,) purchasing and distributing rain barrels, recycling containers or compost bins (to discourage the waste of natural resources,) creating organic gardens, hosting roadside and waterways clean-up events, and other projects that will have a direct positive impact on the environment. School, scout, religious and other youth groups are encouraged to apply.

Micro-Grants will be reviewed by a committee of teens from CAR&S and adults from Carmel Green Initiative, and will be available until monies are exhausted. Youth are encouraged to apply early to assure funding. Fall 2009 applications are due October 15, 2009.