Fostering Youth Leadership
The Maine Environmental Changemakers Network connects young Mainers ages 15-30 with peers, mentors, and resources in the environmental sector.
Together, we provide training and resources needed for you to take environmental action in your own communities through five-month fellowships, two-year residencies, youth participatory data research, the annual Changemakers Gathering, and peer mentorship.
A single event — the first Changemakers Gathering in 2016 — has since grown into a statewide intergenerational network of youth and adults taking environmental action in Maine through community projects, education, civic engagement, and youth leadership trainings.
We believe that anyone can be an environmental Changemaker and everyone has a role to play in this work of building more resilient and equitable Maine communities. We invite people to join the work and encourage all participants to listen with an open heart to enter into conversations that may challenge their traditional practice.
Sign up for the Changemakers youth monthly newsletter and receive regular updates on events, resources, jobs, and more!
Contact us to get involved
2025 Changemakers Gathering
September 26-27, 2025 in Lincolnville, ME — Apply by August 22nd to attend this two-day intergenerational retreat and celebrate 10-year anniversary of the Changemakers Network! This event is free for youth ages 15-30 and adults over 30 are encouraged to attend as well.
Changemakers Fellowships
Applications currently closed — 4-5 month fellowships for youth ages 18-25 passionate about environmental and social change.
Changemakers Residency Program
Applications currently closed — 2-year residency positions with both MEEA and The Nature Conservancy in Maine
The Listen Project
A youth-led participatory research project with the Maine youth climate movement in partnership with Maine Youth for Climate Justice and the Data Innovation Project
Changemakers Storytelling Blog
Our commitments
We commit to shifting power and challenging traditional models to foster youth leadership; and increasing dialogue across generations to develop a more just, inclusive, and equitable environmental sector in Maine.
We are changemakers.
We follow youth leadership.
We bridge generations.
We challenge norms.
We prioritize building trust.
We center marginalized youth.
We tell our own stories.
We ask hard questions.
We find hope in building community.
