Applications are now open for the 2024 UN Environment Young Champions of the Earth.
oung 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.
With Young Champions of the Earth – the UN’s most prestigious award for environmental action by young people – we are looking for young changemakers with pathbreaking ideas and solutions that showcase nature’s potential in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and waste.
In 2024, Young Champions of the Earth will be selected, one from each global region: Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, West Asia and two from Asia and the Pacific. Each winner will receive:
- Mentorship, capacity building workshops and access to a UN community of experts
- An introduction to dignitaries at the Young Champions of the Earth award ceremony
- Publicity and recognition through interviews and online and global media
- US$20,000 in seed-funding
The 2024 Young Champions of the Earth will be required to share their journeys through videos and blogs on this website for up to one year. If you have at least 6 months experience working on a big idea to protect or restore the environment and will be aged between 18 and 30 on 31 December 2024, you are eligible to apply.
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:
- 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.
- Endorsement – The strength of your referee’s recommendation.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the UNEP Environment Young Champions of the Earth Program