Newark Launches Gen Green: First Youth-Led Participatory Budgeting for Sustainability in the U.S.

Mayor Ras J. Baraka has announced the launch of Gen Green, a groundbreaking youth-led democracy and sustainability initiative, headed by the City’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Nicole Hewitt-Cabral. This program is the first youth-led participatory budgeting (PB) process focused on sustainability in the country.

Through this bold initiative, the Newark Office of Sustainability, Resilience & Community Transformation is setting aside $50,000 of its annual budget for Newark youth aged 23 and under to determine how they spend the money on environmental projects.

“Through Gen Green, young people are not just participants—they are the decision-makers,” said Mayor Baraka. “This innovative program puts Newark’s youth at the center of the city’s sustainability agenda – right where they should be – giving them real power to decide how the city invests in environmental projects that impact their neighborhoods and future. By putting decision-making power in their hands, we’re not just preparing tomorrow’s leaders; we’re empowering them to lead today.”

Program Goals and Scope

Gen Green helps Newark’s youth:

• Develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

• See their voices influence real-life sustainability projects in Newark.

• Join a growing network of youth sustainability/environmental leaders.

• Connect with city leaders and learn how public decisions are made.

“Gen Green is a youth-powered, community-driven, future-focused, initiative where Newark is leading by example,” said Chief Sustainability Officer, Nicole Hewitt-Cabral. “Gen Green is a call to action and collaboration—bringing together city agencies, community organizations, and residents to create a Newark where every young person has a voice in building a sustainable, thriving future.”

The initiative reinforces Newark’s commitment to incorporating residents’ voices in urban greening, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience efforts, building upon existing programs like Rooted In Newark and Nourishing Newark.

Gen Green Youth Fellow Roselyn Muniz emphasized the immediacy of the need: “A sustainable Newark isn’t a future idea, it’s a necessity that needs to happen now. We’ve created a space for the youth to move beyond talk and implement ideas that directly improve our community, it’s an honor to be a part of this movement.”

Gen Green is partially funded by a generous grant from the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP). Nisha Thompson, New Jersey Advocacy Manager for PBP, stated: “Newark’s Gen Green initiative is a powerful model for the future of democracy and climate justice. PB is vital because when the people most impacted by public decisions lead the process, we get more equitable and effective solutions. Gen Green invests in a generation of civic leaders who are learning that their voices hold the power to build a more just and resilient future. PBP is proud to support this groundbreaking work, and we hope it inspires communities everywhere.”

Youth Fellow Marilyn Cerrrato noted the team’s current focus: “The Youth is Our Future, and we want to help build the next generation of leaders. We ask young people ages 23 and under what sustainable changes they would like to see in their community and where they would like to see these ideas implemented.”

The Gen Green team is currently working with Youth Ambassadors and the Budget Committee to finalize the proposals that will be voted on by young people in the new year.