Deadline: March 31, 2026
Applications are open for the UNEP Young Champions of the Earth 2026. Young Champions of the Earth, launched in 2017, is the flagship youth engagement initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The award is bestowed annually to ambitious young people from around the world with outstanding ideas to protect and restore the environment, and since 2024 it has been implemented with the support of Chris Kemper and in partnership with Planet A.
Our environment is under stress and the evidence is everywhere. It’s in the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. It’s in our soils, rivers, oceans and atmosphere. Some call it the defining challenge of our time.
The question is: What are you doing about it? Now more than ever, those of us who care for the natural world must stand up and be counted. Whether you’re an activist, educator, innovator or artist, we need you to challenge the status quo and fight for the health of our planet and its people.
If you have a powerful idea for improving environmental outcomes; 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.
Award
Young Champions of the Earth are selected globally. Each winner will have the chance to:
- Grow their skills and business, including receiving US$10,000
- Benefit from mentorship, workshops and access to a world-wide community of environmental experts
- Build their VIP network at the Young Champions of the Earth award ceremony and other official events
- Gain publicity and global recognition through interviews, speaking engagements and international media coverage
- Compete in a pitch competition for the Planet A grant of up to US$100,000
Eligibility
- To be eligible for the Young Champions of the Earth award, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30.
- Additionally, each applicant must have at least six months of prior experience working on their environmental project.
- Individuals who submitted applications in previous cycles of the competition are entitled to do so again. However, only one entry is allowed per person per year.
- Employees of lead and support organizations, i.e., United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Planet A and CoalitionWild, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the Award. The term “immediate family” of such employees includes spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren, whether as “in-laws” or by current or past marriage(s), remarriage(s), adoption, co-habitation or other family extension, and any other persons residing in the same household as such employees, whether or not they are related to them.
Selection Criteria
In the first stage of the selection process, all applications will be judged by United Nations experts according to the following criteria:
- The 3 Ps – The positive impact your big idea could have on the environment (planet), society (people) and its financial viability (prosperity).
- The 3 Cs – Evidence that you are a curious, courageous and colourful individual.
- Demonstrated commitment – It is important that you have already attempted to implement your big idea for at least six months and can outline achievements and developments to date.
- Bankability – A bankable idea is one that has been thoroughly vetted and considered viable, profitable, and low risk enough by potential lenders or investors to warrant providing capital for its implementation.
- Endorsement – The strength of your referee’s recommendation.
Application
For more information, visit UNEP Young Champions of the Earth.
