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    Competition

    Young Champions of the Earth

    by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

    Young Champions of the Earth is UNEP’s flagship youth engagement initiative (launched in 2017) and “the UN’s most prestigious award for environmental action by young people.” It recognizes ambitious young people from around the world with outstanding ideas to protect and restore the environment, addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste.

    Last verified: 17 Feb 2026Reviewed by:Succeed Editorial
    Young Champions of the Earth

    Key facts

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Ages 18–30

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 18–30

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    Free

    Prize highlight

    Winner Support Package

    Entry format

    Online

    Deadline

    Not announced · Upcoming cycle

    Get next-cycle reminder
    The planet & sustainabilityEnvironmental ScienceEntrepreneurship

    Team size: individual

    Skills: Business Strategy, Communication, Environmental Awareness, Innovation, Presentation, Research Design, Scientific Research

    TL;DR

    Young Champions of the Earth is UNEP’s flagship youth engagement initiative (launched in 2017) and “the UN’s most prestigious award for environmental action by young people.” It recognizes ambitious young people from around the world with outstanding ideas to protect and restore the environment, addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste. Winners receive mentorship and support to help nurture the next generation of environmental leaders.

    What is Young Champions of the Earth?

    Young Champions of the Earth is UNEP’s flagship youth engagement initiative (launched in 2017) and “the UN’s most prestigious award for environmental action by young people.” It recognizes ambitious young people from around the world with outstanding ideas to protect and restore the environment, addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste. Winners receive mentorship and support to help nurture the next generation of environmental leaders.

    What you actually do

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Prepare your “big idea”

    2. 2

      Identify a referee

    3. 3

      Submit via the application portal

    4. 4

      (If shortlisted) Provide additional materials

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30.

    • Applicants must have at least six months of prior experience working on their environmental project / big idea.

    • Applicants should have at least six months’ experience working on a “big idea” to improve environmental outcomes.

    Cost, funding, and what's included

    Entry cost

    Free

    What's included

    Free Entry

    How to enter

    1. 1

      Prepare your “big idea”: Develop an original, innovative idea that speaks directly to an environmental challenge (e.g., biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, water scarcity) and can be scaled up based on preliminary research; demonstrate at least six months of progress.

    2. 2

      Identify a referee: Choose a referee who can vouch for the viability of your idea and for you as an individual.

    3. 3

      Submit via the application portal: Submit your application through the application portal on the website before the deadline; after submission, no further edits or changes are possible.

    4. 4

      (If shortlisted) Provide additional materials: If selected as a finalist/regional finalist, you may be invited to provide further information, including a short video pitching/explaining your idea, and a public written description of your project (as required).

    Submission requirements

    • Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30.

    • Applicants must have at least six months of prior experience working on their environmental project / big idea.

    • Applicants should have at least six months’ experience working on a “big idea” to improve environmental outcomes.

    • Only one entry is allowed per person per year.

    • Employees of lead/support organizations (UNEP, Planet A, CoalitionWild) and their immediate family members are not eligible.

    • Winners are required to share their journeys via videos and blogs on the website for up to one year.

    Prizes & recognition

    Winner Support Package

    Mentorship, capacity building workshops and access to a UN community of experts; introductions to dignitaries at the award ceremony and other official events; publicity and recognition through interviews, speaking engagements, and online/global media coverage; seed-funding.

    Frequently asked questions

    A “big idea” can be many kinds of solutions (campaigns, apps, restoration efforts, arts initiatives, technologies, financial tools, or community-based management methods). It stands out if it addresses an environmental challenge (like biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution or water scarcity), is original and innovative, and can be scaled up based on preliminary research.

    No. UNEP states that anyone has the potential to become a Young Champion of the Earth.

    UNEP operates in six regions (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and West Asia). Your country of residence determines the world region in which you compete.

    UNEP explains that it needs evidence of life experience and past achievements; additionally, winners may be required to travel unaccompanied to ceremonies, workshops, and media events.

    No. There is no cost to participate.

    The award identifies individuals; while ideas may come from group work, prizes, mentorship and promotion are awarded to individuals, not groups.

    Not in a single year; applicants are encouraged to submit only their very best idea.

    Applications are submitted via the application portal on the website; you need a referee; after submission, no edits or changes are possible.

    UNEP experts evaluate applications; shortlisted finalists may be asked for additional information (including a short video), and a jury of public figures with environmental credentials selects the final winners.

    Regional finalists will be contacted by email; the Young Champions will be notified by email and publicly announced soon afterwards.

    Winners may be required to travel internationally to attend the award ceremony, an entrepreneurship boot camp and educational tours; UNEP covers travel expenses, and winners must have a valid passport.

    Seed-funding must be used to implement winners’ big ideas; winners are also asked to submit blogs/videos periodically, advocate publicly, and provide a final report and budget outlining expenditures and achievements.

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    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 17 Feb 2026)

    • Competition details confirmed

    • Provider information verified

    • Eligibility criteria checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current submission instructions before entering.