Youth-Led Political Power in California: Project Super Bloom

At EnviroVoters, we believe that building a sustainable and just future starts with empowering the next generation of leaders. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Project Super Bloom for Give Green California.

Project Super Bloom is an organization redefining what youth-led political power looks like in California. From tackling climate change and racial justice to fighting for affordable housing and economic equity, Project Super Bloom is creating pathways for young people to lead on environmental policies that impact their lives. They’re doing great work in the environmental space and are proud to have them as partners for the Give Green California project.

To learn more about their mission and the incredible impact they’re making, we connected with the Project Super Bloom team to hear their story, their vision, and what’s next for this youth-powered movement:

What inspired the founding of Project Super Bloom and what did the early stages of getting started look like?

We founded Project Super Bloom in 2021 to fill the gap between the political power young Californians could have and the power they were resourced to wield. Climate change, racial justice, housing, and economic inequality are all issues that define our generation and demand bold leadership. Yet, too often, young people are treated as volunteers or extras in a system built for older political insiders. We wanted to build something different: a community of youth organizers shaping strategy, building power, and electing candidates who reflected our values and our lived experience.

The name “Super Bloom” itself reflects this vision: just as in nature, when conditions are right, dormant seeds can burst into vibrant, collective growth. We see young Californians as those seeds: ready to come alive in a moment of crisis and opportunity.

By 2022, we had formalized Project Super Bloom, brought more than 100 high school and college students into paid organizing roles, made over 25,000 voter contacts, and held 50+ canvassing events. That year, seven of our endorsed candidates won their races. It was the confirmation we needed that our model worked and that young people were ready to lead.

What achievement are you most proud of for the organization?

In the 2022 cycle, we endorsed Pilar Schiavo for State Assembly District 40 as part of our first ever endorsement slate. Schiavo is a community champion who tackles critical issues that are relevant to young people, such as affordable housing, healthcare access, and environmental sustainability.

We knew early on that Schiavo’s victory was crucial. AD-40 was one of the few true flip opportunities in the state, and Pilar was up against an incumbent Republican backed by $2.7 million in special-interest spending. Mobilizing young voters would be essential to making this race competitive.

From day one, Pilar valued young people and students on her campaign, taking on our student organizers and providing them with opportunities all the way through Election Day and beyond. Our fellows and volunteers rose to the challenge, knocking on doors and making phone calls. They contacted thousands of voters, and mobilized fellow students across the district to spread the word to classmates, friends, and family members. One of our high school fellows, who started off as a key member of Pilar’s early field team, went on to intern in Assemblymember Schiavo’s office. The critical efforts young people from Project Super Bloom made to elect her provided an important boost over the finish line – she won that election by just over 500 votes. 

Pilar’s victory is just one example of the difference empowering youth creates. By providing accessible, low-barrier pathways for young people to engage in local politics, we empower them to build skills, make meaningful contributions, and experience firsthand the power of grassroots organizing. Knowing that our youth fellows not only gained valuable experience but also played a direct role in helping send Pilar to Sacramento is one of our most meaningful accomplishments.

Why are you joining Give Green California as a promotional partner and what does this partnership mean to you?

Partnering with Give Green California feels like a natural extension of our mission. Both of us believe that meaningful political change requires strategic investment – not just in candidates, but in the grassroots organizing that sustains long-term power. By joining Give Green California, we’re able to connect with supporters and allies who understand the urgency of building youth-led political infrastructure in California and want their contributions to have a real, measurable impact. 

This partnership means we’re not simply winning individual elections: we’re building a collective movement. It means elevating young organizers, strengthening our support network, and ensuring that the candidates we help elect are backed by a community that believes in climate justice and building a sustainable future. We believe in a movement that centers youth, justice, and real accountability, and will continue to push for systemic climate solutions long after Election Day.

As we move towards the 2026 midterm elections and beyond, what outcomes, victories, or goals are you hoping to achieve–both in elections and beyond?

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, our first priority is supporting our endorsed candidates, Jessie Lopez, Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, and Jackie Elward. We’ll achieve this through strategic campaign collaboration, targeted capacity-building, and deep engagement from our youth fellows. As we do this, we plan to scale up our youth organizing fellowship. This year, we will expand our model of paid young organizers, so more students across California can gain campaign experience, develop leadership skills, and influence policy. Over time, we hope to expand our slate of endorsed candidates. We commit to backing bold, progressive, visionary young people to run for the California State Assembly and State Senate. Finally, we will deepen our coalition building by working in partnership with other progressive organizations, movements, and advocacy groups to drive systems-level change in California beyond just electoral wins.

What does Project Super Bloom’s vision for a just and sustainable California look like?

Project Super Bloom envisions a California where climate justice, racial justice, and economic justice are deeply intertwined and mutually reinforcing. We’re working to create a movement where young people have real political power and can shape the policy issues that are important to them. Environmental policies are not an afterthought, but are integrated into social and economic policy. We want progressive legislators to deliver bold policies that center those most impacted: from frontline communities suffering from pollution to students burdened by debt.

If you could send a message or piece of advice to every young Californian, what would it be?

You have more power than you think and more than many people want you to realize. Don’t wait until you feel “experienced enough” or “old enough” to get involved in politics. The challenges we’re facing won’t be solved without your voice, your creativity, and your courage. California – and our nation – needs you.

You can learn more about Project Super Bloom at their website: https://projectsuperbloom.org/