The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub invites applications for the second cohort of its Youth Leadership Program to build a global network of emerging leaders driving food systems transformation. This two-year fellowship is open to individuals between 18 and 35 years old who are proficient in English and hold nationality in a low- or middle-income country, with particular emphasis on Africa, Asia and the Pacific, or Latin America and the Caribbean. Applicants must demonstrate experience leading or contributing to initiatives in food systems, sustainable development, or climate action. The program provides comprehensive leadership development, peer mentorship, and direct exposure to global United Nations partners and expert networks. The deadline for applications is 13 July 2026. Youth Leadership Program
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Sustainability & ESG Africa — Student Innovation Challenge
The Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo invites applications for its Student Innovation Challenge to uncover practical solutions to systemic environmental, social, and governance issues. Eligible applicants must be 30 years of age or younger and currently enrolled at an accredited university or higher learning institution. Submissions must fall under one of four designated themes, including Nature, Biodiversity and Inclusive Economies. While the specific cash prize amounts or grant funding totals are not specified, winners will present their solutions at the main conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The deadline for applications is 16 July 2026. Student Innovation Challenge
Institute for Security Studies – Young Changemakers 2026
The Institute for Security Studies invites submissions for its Young Changemakers 2026 essay and video competition, aimed at centering youth perspectives on Africa’s long-term future. The opportunity is open to African citizens between 18 and 30 years old who are currently residing on the continent or in the diaspora. Applicants must submit either an essay of up to two thousand words or a three-minute video addressing key development and governance transitions for Africa over the next two decades. Winners will receive fully funded travel to participate in a high-level dialogue in Pretoria, South Africa, alongside mentorship and publication opportunities. The deadline for submissions is 26 July 2026. Details here
Future Blue Youth Council — True Blue Fellowship
The True Blue Fellowship connects and empowers youth around the world to leverage the creative arts to enact change in local communities to safeguard the ocean, waterways, and the climate. The Fellowship provides mentorship, capacity building, and funding of up to $2,500 for 10 youth-led projects that address ocean, waterways, or climate change issues in their local communities. Young people groups, clubs, or organizations worldwide can apply. Applications are due on 30 August 2026. True Blue Fellowship
Teach A Man To Fish — School Enterprise Challenge 2026
The School Enterprise Challenge is an international business program for schools run by the educational charity Teach A Man To Fish. It guides and supports teachers and students to plan and set up real, sustainable school businesses and generate real profits to help support their school or a social cause of their choice. Thematic areas include agriculture, drinking water and sanitation, and the environment, among others. Prizes are between US$250 and US$5 thousand, including in-kind donations like laptops and cameras. Please note that only pre-primary schools, primary schools, secondary schools and technical/vocational colleges are eligible (universities are not eligible to apply). Business Ideas have to be submitted by 06 October 2026. School Enterprise Challenge
International Center for New Media — World Summit Awards 2026
Nominations are open for the World Summit Awards (WSA) and the WSA Young Innovators Awards (young social entrepreneurs under 26 years of age). Start-ups and social entrepreneurs are asked to submit their local digital innovations with high social impact. The 8 award categories include one on Environment & Green Energy (climate, sustainable resources, agriculture). The winner does not receive a monetary award but does benefit from partnerships and integrations. Applications are accepted from companies, organizations, or individuals. The deadline to apply for WSA and WSA Young Innovators is 15 October 2026. (Deadlines for national submission of applications for WSA may vary locally.) Find out more
World Academy of Sciences — Young Scientists Award for Frontier Science
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) recognizes the scientific achievements of young scientists living and working in a developing country. The third edition of the TWAS-CAS award will recognize achievements in Earth Sciences. The award is worth US$10 thousand. TWAS invites nominations from science academies, national research councils, universities, and scientific institutions. Self-nominations will not be considered. Eligible candidates are young scientists (not older than 45 years of age). The deadline for receiving nominations is 30 June 2026. Young Scientists Award
Moonshot Platform — Award for Young Changemakers
The Moonshot Platform invites applications for the Moonshot Awards to back exceptional young changemakers developing solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges. The program is open to global entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, and social advocates between the ages of 15 and 30 who are leading early-stage projects, startups, or non-profits that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Winners receive equity-free grants ranging from US$5 thousand to US$10 thousand depending on the category, alongside entry into a two-year leadership acceleration program that includes professional mentorship and fully sponsored travel to the awards ceremony in New York City. The final deadline for submissions is 12 July 2026. Moonshot Awards
World Photography Organization — Sony World Photography Awards
The Sony World Photography Awards, one of the world’s leading photography competitions, recognizes the best single images from across 10 diverse categories, including ‘Landscape’ and ‘Natural World & Wildlife’. The competition is free to enter and open to photographers worldwide, with specific categories tailored to professional series, standalone single images, students, and youth under 19 years-old. Cash prizes of US$25 thousand and US$5 thousand are awarded to the top winners of the series and single-image categories, respectively. The closing deadlines vary by competition tier, with the student category closing on 27 November 2026, the single-image and youth categories closing on 05 January 2027. Know more
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Global AgriInno Challenge 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks youth-led innovations and solutions in response to the challenges associated with distribution and sales of agri-food products. Selected teams of two to five young innovators will be invited to further develop and pitch their digital development solutions. Winning teams will receive seed funding of US$30 thousand to develop their ideas. The agri-innovation challenge is open to all youth (below 35 years old) with digital innovations or ideas for the agri-food sector. The deadline to submit an application form is 20 June 2026. Visit the Global AgriInno Challenge