beVisioneers Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded Opportunity for Young Environmental Innovators
Young people with innovative ideas for solving environmental problems can apply for the beVisioneers Fellowship 2027, a global programme that supports emerging environmental entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, financial assistance, and opportunities to develop sustainable projects.
Supported by Mercedes-Benz and implemented by The DO School Fellowships, the beVisioneers Fellowship is designed for young innovators who want to turn their environmental ideas into practical solutions. Applications for Cohort 5 are open, offering eligible applicants an opportunity to develop their projects while connecting with a global community of changemakers.
The fellowship welcomes applicants from different educational and professional backgrounds. Previous entrepreneurial experience is not essential, although applicants should demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing environmental challenges and show evidence of progress on their ideas.
For young people interested in sustainability, climate action, conservation, and green entrepreneurship, this programme offers an opportunity to develop practical skills and work towards measurable environmental impact.
Overview of the beVisioneers Fellowship 2027
The beVisioneers Fellowship is a multi-year programme that helps young environmental innovators develop their ideas into viable projects. It combines online learning with mentorship, venture coaching, networking, and selected in-person activities.
Programme highlights:
- Programme: beVisioneers Fellowship
- Cohort: Cohort 5
- Programme year: 2027
- Age requirement: 18–28 years at the time of application
- Eligible locations: Selected countries, including South Africa and Zimbabwe
- Programme duration: Multi-year fellowship
- Learning format: Hybrid, combining online learning and in-person activities
- Participation fee: Free
- Financial support: Available to eligible fellows, subject to programme conditions
- Project funding: Scholarships of up to €15,000 may be available to qualifying projects
- Application deadline: 31 January 2027
Applicants should consult the official website for the latest requirements and application details.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
1. Environmental Entrepreneurship Training
During the first year, fellows participate in a foundation programme focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and project development. The training helps participants strengthen their ideas, understand the problems they want to solve, and work towards developing market-tested prototypes.
The programme is designed to help participants build the knowledge and confidence needed to move their environmental projects forward.
2. Mentorship and Venture Coaching
Fellows receive access to mentors, venture coaches, and experts who can help them develop their projects. This support can assist participants in identifying challenges, refining their business models, strengthening their strategies, and planning their next steps.
The programme also creates opportunities for fellows to learn from other innovators and build professional networks.
3. Financial Support
The fellowship is free to participants, and financial assistance is available under specific conditions.
Eligible fellows may receive a cost-of-living stipend to support their participation. Economically disadvantaged participants may qualify for financial support from the beginning of the foundation year, while other fellows may unlock stipends after achieving specified project milestones.
An online access stipend may also help eligible participants meet internet, laptop, and other necessary technology costs.
4. Project Scholarships
Fellows may have opportunities to apply for project scholarships worth up to €15,000. These awards are intended to support promising environmental projects with strong potential for impact.
Scholarships are not automatic. They depend on project progress, viability, and the programme’s assessment of the project’s potential environmental benefits.
5. Networking and Global Opportunities
The fellowship provides opportunities to connect with environmental experts, entrepreneurs, mentors, and fellow innovators. Participants may also access regional summits, workshops, and global networking events, with relevant travel and accommodation expenses covered under programme arrangements.
Who Can Apply?
The beVisioneers Fellowship is intended for young people who want to develop environmental solutions and demonstrate their commitment to positive change.
To qualify, applicants must generally meet the following requirements:
- Age: Be between 18 and 28 years old when applying.
- Location: Currently reside in an eligible country and plan to remain in an eligible country for the majority of each fellowship year.
- Language: Have a good command of English.
- Environmental commitment: Demonstrate a strong interest in addressing environmental challenges.
- Project idea: Have an existing environmental project or a promising idea supported by evidence of commitment and progress.
- Entrepreneurial mindset: Demonstrate persistence, determination, and a willingness to develop an innovative solution.
- Employment restrictions: Neither the applicant nor their parent or guardian may work for Mercedes-Benz.
Eligible locations for the 2027 fellowship include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, the United States, and Europe.
Applicants should verify the programme’s complete eligibility requirements before applying.
Do You Need Previous Experience?
No. Previous entrepreneurial experience or formal technical qualifications are not required.
However, the programme prioritises applicants who have progressed beyond the initial idea stage. Applicants with prototypes, tested solutions, or early-stage ventures should explain what they have developed, what they have learned, and how their projects address environmental problems.
Applicants who have not yet built a prototype may still apply, but they should demonstrate a strong understanding of the problem, evidence of research or early testing, and a serious commitment to developing their proposed solution.
Projects should be at an early stage rather than already financially sustainable businesses.
How to Apply for the beVisioneers Fellowship 2027
Interested applicants can submit their applications online through the official beVisioneers application platform.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official beVisioneers Fellowship website.
- Review the eligibility requirements and programme information.
- Register on the application platform.
- Complete the written application and submit the required short video.
- Provide information about your environmental project, its objectives, and the problem it addresses.
- Apply for financial support during the application process if needed.
- Submit your application and await communication about the selection process.
The application typically takes approximately 30–45 minutes to complete, although applicants should allow additional time to prepare thoughtful answers about their projects.
Application deadline: 31 January 2027.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The programme’s published timeline indicates that shortlisted applicants may be invited to complete an online activity in March 2027, with selection taking place in April 2027. The first-year programme is scheduled to begin in June 2027.
Final Thoughts
The beVisioneers Fellowship 2027 offers an opportunity for young environmental innovators to access training, mentorship, financial support, and a network of people working towards a more sustainable future.
For applicants in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and other eligible countries, the programme could provide valuable support in developing early-stage environmental projects and strengthening their entrepreneurial skills.
If you are between 18 and 28 years old and have an idea or project that could help address an environmental challenge, consider reviewing the eligibility requirements and preparing your application before the deadline.
Important: Participation is free, but stipends and project scholarships are subject to eligibility requirements and programme conditions. Applicants should consult the official website for the latest information.
