Young Champions of the Earth 2026: Apply for Up to $100,000 Grant

Applications are now open for the Young Champions of the Earth 2026, a global programme by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aimed at supporting young environmental innovators.

This initiative provides funding, mentorship, and global exposure to young people working on solutions to environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

About the Young Champions of the Earth Programme

The Young Champions of the Earth programme identifies and supports young leaders who are already working on impactful environmental solutions.

Applicants are expected to have a project that has been running for some time and shows strong potential for growth and scalability.

Selected participants will receive support to develop their ideas and share their impact with a global audience.

Benefits of the Programme

Successful applicants will receive:

• Seed funding of $10,000 to scale their project
• Opportunity to compete for the Planet A grant of up to $100,000
• Mentorship from environmental experts
• Access to workshops and a global network
• International exposure through media and events
• Invitation to high-level events and award ceremonies

Participants will also receive a smartphone multimedia kit and training to help them document and share their work.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply, candidates must:

• Be between 18 and 30 years old by the end of 2026
• Have worked on their environmental project for at least 6 months
• Submit only one application

Previous applicants can apply again.

However, employees of UNEP, Planet A, CoalitionWild, and their immediate family members are not eligible.

What is Expected from Selected Candidates

Selected champions will be required to:

• Create video content documenting their journey
• Share stories and updates on UNEP platforms
• Participate in global storytelling campaigns
• Allow their content to be used across partner platforms

This is an important part of the programme to showcase environmental solutions globally.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is: April 15, 2026

Late applications will not be accepted.

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How to Apply for Young Champions of the Earth 2026

Follow the steps below to apply:

1. Visit the official application form: https://forms.office.com/
2. Fill in your personal and project details
3. Submit your application before the deadline