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Young Champions of the Earth
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Opportunity Image
Publish Date 2/25/2026 Application Deadline 3/31/2026 Opportunity Type Competitions Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries All World, The Arab World, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros Description

Young Champions of the Earth is UNEP’s global youth prize recognizing young innovators with solutions addressing the “triple planetary crisis”: climate change, biodiversity/nature loss, and pollution & waste. Applicants should already be implementing an environmental idea (with demonstrated commitment), and winners receive seed funding, capacity building, mentorship, and high-visibility opportunities across UNEP platforms and events.
Details
  • Seed funding: US$10,000 for each winner.
  • Mentorship & training: workshops, tailored support, and access to a global community of environmental experts.
  • Visibility: interviews, speaking engagements, international media exposure.
  • Pitch competition: chance to compete for a Planet A grant up to US$100,000.
  • Travel/event: winners are brought to New York to compete in the pitch competition (as stated by UNEP).
  • Communications requirement: winners must share their journey via self-shot videos and short articles on the programme website for up to one year; winners receive a smartphone multimedia production kit plus communications training and mentorship.
  • How to apply: online application form (linked on the UNEP “Apply” page).
Eligibility Criteria
  • Age: between 18 and 30.
  • Project experience: at least six months working on the environmental project/idea.
  • Repeat applications: allowed if you applied in previous cycles; only one entry per person per year.
  • Not eligible: employees of UNEP, Planet A, CoalitionWild, and their immediate family members (as defined in the rules). 


Opportunity Benefits
  • US$10,000 seed funding to help grow your skills and initiative.
  • Mentorship + workshops and access to a worldwide community of environmental experts.
  • VIP networking opportunities through the Young Champions of the Earth award ceremony and other official events.
  • Publicity and global recognition via interviews, speaking engagements, and international media coverage.
  • Pitch competition opportunity to compete for a Planet A grant of up to US$100,000.
  • Smartphone multimedia production kit (to support storytelling/content creation).
  • Communications training and mentorship to strengthen your outreach and visibility.
  • Covered travel costs for required travel to programme activities in New York (award ceremony, mentorship workshops, pitch competition) — UNEP states travel expenses are covered.