GIVE Venture Lab: Community Climate Innovation Challenge
The Community Climate Innovation Challenge brings together residents, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders to collaboratively design practical climate solutions that strengthen urban resilience.
Hosted by G.I.V.E., Climate Cafe NYC/Climate Imaginarium, and DSSG NYC, the event is intentionally community-centered, ensuring that innovation is informed by lived experience, local priorities, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Following the event, GIVE will provide one week of mentorship to support teams applying to the New York Climate Exchange Climate Tech Fellowship.
Innovation Pathways
⚡ Energy & Urban Infrastructure
🌱 Resilient Food Systems & Nature-Based Materials
🤖 Clean AI & Climate Data
🌍 Global Knowledge Sharing + Climate Education
🤝 Just Transition for Green Economy + Community Organizing
Who Should Attend
Students & Researchers
Engineers & Technologists
Entrepreneurs & Founders
Designers & Product Builders
Climate & Sustainability Professionals
Policymakers
Community Leaders
Anyone passionate about building climate solutions
Whether you're exploring a new idea or already developing a prototype, this is an opportunity to collaborate with others, receive expert mentorship, and take the next step toward building a climate venture.
🌍 About the Climate Imaginarium
The Climate Imaginarium is a center for climate, community, and culture in New York City. Located on Governors Island, the Climate Imaginarium is activating a cultural destination at the heart of New York City’s burgeoning green economy, where artists, scientists, advocates, and storytellers come together to reimagine and build a more resilient future.
Suggested donation is $5 to support our community space at the Climate Imaginarium, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
⛵ Getting to the Climate Imaginarium
For the weekend ferry schedule to Governors Island, please check here. Ferries run every 15 minutes. Take the ferry that’s most convenient for you from either Lower Manhattan (10 South Street), Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6), or Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your ferry departure time with your ticket ready to display.
Ferry tickets must be purchased at the ferry terminal or online. Fares are $5 for a round trip ticket and free for adults over 65, children 12 and under, Climate Imaginarium summer volunteers, and others. All passengers ride free before 11am on weekends. Cars are not permitted.
Governors Island is also accessible from any route via NYC Ferry by transferring at Wall Street/Pier 11. You can find the NYC Ferry schedule here. Tickets on NYC Ferry are $4.50 each way.
Once you get to Governors Island, you will either get out at Soissons Landing (from Manhattan) or Yankee Pier (from Brooklyn). You can use this map of Governors Island to locate Colonels Row. The Climate Imaginarium is in Building 406A, in the middle of Colonels Row, and will have a visible sign outside the doorway. Our address is 406A Comfort Road.