United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is supporting the next generation of environmental innovators through the Young Champions of the Earth Award, a global initiative designed for young people developing solutions to protect the planet.

The 2026 application cycle is now closed, but UNEP has announced that updates for the 2027 cycle will be shared on the official programme page.

Selected Young Champions of the Earth receive financial support, mentorship, international exposure, and access to a global network of environmental leaders.

UNEP Young Champions of the Earth Award Overview

Opportunity	Details
Organization	United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Programme	Young Champions of the Earth Award
Opportunity Type	Environmental Leadership Award
Target Group	Young environmental innovators and leaders
Application Status	2026 applications closed
Next Cycle	Updates expected for 2027 applications
Support Available	Up to US$10,000 plus mentorship and global exposure

About the UNEP Young Champions of the Earth Programme

Young Champions of the Earth is UNEP’s initiative to identify and support young people with innovative ideas that address environmental challenges.

The programme aims to develop future environmental leaders by providing:

Leadership development opportunities
Mentorship from environmental experts
Global networking opportunities
Media exposure
Skills-building support

The initiative supports young entrepreneurs, activists, and innovators working on solutions for environmental protection and sustainability.

Benefits of Being Selected as a Young Champion of the Earth

Successful participants receive:

Financial Support

Each winner has the opportunity to receive US$10,000 to support their environmental project or initiative.

Mentorship and Training

Young Champions gain access to:

Environmental experts
Workshops
Business and leadership development support
A global community of innovators

International Recognition

Participants benefit from:

Global publicity
Media coverage
Speaking opportunities
Participation in official events

Planet A Grant Competition

Young Champions can compete in a pitch competition for the Planet A grant, which offers funding of up to US$100,000.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is designed for young people who:

Have innovative ideas addressing environmental challenges
Are passionate about climate action and sustainability
Want to create positive environmental impact
Demonstrate leadership potential
Are willing to share their journey and inspire others

Applicants may include:

Environmental entrepreneurs
Climate activists
Sustainability innovators
Community leaders
Young researchers

What Selected Champions Receive

Each Young Champion receives support including:

Smartphone multimedia production kit
Communications training
Mentorship
Opportunities to share their environmental journey through videos and articles

Participants are expected to document their progress and share updates through UNEP platforms for up to one year.

Global Environmental Leadership Network

Beyond funding, the programme creates a worldwide community of young environmental leaders.

Participants join a network focused on:

Climate solutions
Environmental innovation
Sustainable development
Knowledge sharing
Collaboration across countries

Application Timeline

2026 Applications: Closed

UNEP encourages interested applicants to follow the programme page for announcements about the opening of the 2027 Young Champions of the Earth Award cycle.

How to Prepare for the Next UNEP Young Champions Application

Future applicants should prepare:

A clear environmental project idea
Evidence of community or environmental impact
A strong personal leadership story
A realistic sustainability plan
Examples of innovation and creativity

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