The Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme (YECO) 2026/2027 for young Green Entrepreneurs ($100,000 prize & All-Expenses-Paid Trip to International Conference)

Application Deadline: 22 November 2026

Applications are actually open for the 2026/2027 Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme. a worldwide initiative by ITC and the UNCCD-G20 Global Land Initiative supporting young entrepreneurs who’re creating progressive inexperienced companies and land restoration options.

The programme presents young entrepreneurs the chance to strengthen and scale their companies via expert-led coaching, funding readiness assist, worldwide networking Opportunities and entry to world companions, together with EY, Sidley Austin, WIPO and Google. Outstanding entrepreneurs can even compete for USD 10,000 in prize cash via the Youth Ecopreneur Awards, whereas eligible land restoration companies can entry a USD 100,000 equity-free funding pool.

Requirements

The programme is trying for passionate innovators with a transparent understanding of the environmental challenges they deal with and scalable options prepared for acceleration.

Applicant have to be:

• Must be underneath the age of 35 (by the application deadline)
• Must be a Founder, Co-Founder or CEO.

Eligible companies have to be:

• Legally registered and majority-run by a young individual
• The bootcamp is open globally, the accelerator is reserved for eligible international locations – see the listing here
• Focused on Land Restoration or Green Business options

The programme consists of a:

Scale and Impact Phase to show you how to develop your corporation and broaden your influence.

Global Bootcamp to kickstart your journey with dynamic coaching and e-learning.

Global Accelerator to get customized teaching, mentorship, and masterclasses to take your sustainable options to the subsequent stage.

Youth Ecopreneur Awards to showcase your options on a worldwide stage.

Programme Benefits

• Capacity-building for scaling your enterprise
• Seed funding (shared pool of $100,000 USD for the land-restoration cohort in whole, fairness free)
• Access to a Global Network & Exposure
• Mentorship & Coaching
• Legal and IP Guidance
• Preferential entry to Pro-Bono Legal Services from Sidley Austin
• Preferential entry to the Google StartUp for Sustainable Development Programme
• One-on-One teaching session with specialists from Ernst & Young (EY)
• All-Expenses-Paid Trip to International Conference for Award Finalists
• Win the Youth Ecopreneur Award and get 10,000 USD prize cash (1 Award per class)

Application Timeline

• Global Bootcamp: 225 chosen entrepreneurs take part in a 10-week programme that includes expert-led coaching, networking, funding readiness and enterprise growth assist.
• Global Accelerator: 25 chosen companies obtain tailor-made teaching, mentorship, capability constructing, entry to buyers, entry to fairness free funding pool (Land restoration monitor), pro-bono authorized assist and Opportunities to scale their companies.
• Youth Ecopreneur Awards: 6 finalists showcase their progressive options on a worldwide stage, competing for worldwide recognition and 10,000 USD prize cash.
• Scale and Impact Phase: YECO individuals can entry continued mentorship, networking Opportunities, strategic partnerships, entry to worldwide occasions and assist to scale their companies and environmental influence

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme