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 our 2017 winners? Read on for more details on Young Champions, as well as what we’re looking for and how to apply. And be sure to check out our collection of resources that can help you put together a rock solid application. Or do you still need some inspiration? Look no further.

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

The Prize
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 our networks and partnerships, we connect Young Champions with business leaders, scientific innovators, national-level policymakers, and United Nations experts, among many other communities.

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

Our corporate partner, Covestro, is a key source of both mentorship and hands-on project assistance. The company’s 16,000 global staff members stand ready to support the 30 Young Champions finalists on topics ranging from project planning to budgeting to the innovation process itself.

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. We will also connect Young Champions winners with high-profile mentors who are eager to support them in their journeys.