UNEP ENVIRONMENT YOUNG CHAMPIONS OF THE EARTH PROGRAM 2024 (SEED FUNDING & FUNDED TRIP TO HIGH-LEVEL UN MEETING)

Applications are now open for the 2024 UN Environment Young Champions of the Earth.
Young Champions of the Earth 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.

Application Deadline: April 5, 2024 at 23:59 EAT (Nairobi, Kenya)

We are searching for young changemakers with innovative ideas and solutions that highlight nature’s potential in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste with Young Champions of the Earth, the UN’s most prestigious award for environmental action by young people.

One Young Champion of the Earth will be chosen in 2024 from each of the following regions of the world: Europe, North America, West Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia and the Pacific. Every winner will get:

1. Mentorship, capacity building workshops and access to a UN community of experts
2. An introduction to dignitaries at the Young Champions of the Earth award ceremony
3. Publicity and recognition through interviews and online and global media
4. US$20,000 in seed-funding

For up to a year, the 2024 Young Champions of the Earth will be obliged to document their adventures on this website via blogs and films. You may apply if you will be between the ages of 18 and 30 on December 31, 2024, and if you have at least six months of experience working on a major idea to protect or restore the environment.

Benefits

• If you are selected as a Young Champion of the Earth, you will be required to travel internationally to attend the Champions of the Earth award ceremony, an entrepreneurship boot camp and educational tours.
• The precise dates and venues will be announced during the programme. All travel expenses will be covered by UNEP. All winners must have a valid passport.

Selection criteria

In the first stage of the selection process, all applications will be judged by United Nations experts according to the following criteria:

1. The 3 Ps – The positive impact your big idea could have on the environment (planet), society (people) and its financial viability (prosperity).
2. The 3 Cs – Evidence that you are a curious, courageous and colorful individual.
3. 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.
4. Endorsement – The strength of your referee’s recommendation.

For More Information and to apply for the UNEP Environment Young Champions of the Earth Program. visit the UNEP ENVIRONMENT YOUNG CHAMPIONS OF THE EARTH PROGRAM 2024’S official website.