Deadline: June 26, 2017 | Apply here
Eligibility: Young environmentalists between the ages of 18 and 30
Prize: USD 15,000 in seed funding, mentorship, exposure

Young Champions of the Earth 2017

Young Champions of the Earth is a forward-looking prize designed to breathe life into the ambitions of brilliant young environmentalists.

If you have a big idea to protect or restore the environment; if you have a vision for a more sustainable future; if you have a strong track record of instigating change; if you are unafraid of failure; and if you believe in a bright future for our planet, then you just might have what it takes to become a Young Champion of the Earth.

What is Young Champions of the Earth?

Each year, six young people – one from each global region – will be named Young Champions of the Earth. These winners receive seed funding, intensive training, and tailored mentorship to help them bring their big environmental ideas to life.

Will you be one of 2017 winners?

If you win, you will be expected to implement your big idea and keep the organization updated on your progress by producing videos and blogs that they will share on the Young Champions website.

What do the Young Champions receive?

Six Young Champions of the Earth are selected every year, one from each global region (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and West Asia). Each winner receives the following:

• US$15,000 in seed funding;
• Attendance at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, December 2017, and the United Nations General Assembly in New York, September 2018 (all expenses paid);
• An introduction to over 100 environment ministers at the Champions of the Earth Gala Dinner;
• Publicity and recognition through online and global media;
• Access to high-profile mentors and customized training in communications, project planning, financial management, etc.
  Participation in an intensive, one-week entrepreneurship course in Europe in the first quarter of 2018 (all expenses paid).

The Young Champions will be required to contribute one blog post and one video per month between December 2017 and September 2018, so that the public can follow their implementation journeys on the Young Champions website.

Mentorship

More than just a prize-giving scheme, Young Champions of the Earth aims to nurture the next generation of environmental leaders. Through the networks and partnerships, the organization connects Young Champions with business leaders, scientific innovators, national-level policymakers, and United Nations experts, among many other communities.

In making these connections, they help young people with extraordinary potential put their big ideas into action. They also increase their potential to do amazing things throughout their lives.

Additionally, six Young Champions winners will receive intensive, tailored training designed to help them kickstart their environmental ambitions. This will involve a week-long entrepreneurship “bootcamp” in Europe in the first quarter of 2018. The week will include an insiders’ tour of Covestro’s innovation labs and visits to other hotspots of European innovation.

Winners will be introduced to high-level policymakers and UN experts at the Champions of the Earth Gala Dinner in Nairobi in December 2017. The winners’ visit to Nairobi will include meetings with noteworthy environmental changemakers and tours of groundbreaking environmental startups. The organization will also connect Young Champions winners with high-profile mentors who are eager to support them in their journeys.

For more opportunities, check our opportunities sections and subscribe to our weekly newsletters.