Social Shifters announces the Global Innovation Challenge to help young leaders and founders solve the social or environmental issues that matter to them. The challenge seeks creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the problems that matter to local communities and welcomes ideas from anywhere in the world. Participants compete for awards of up to US$10 thousand to deliver activities that improve lives, help communities, and protect the planet. All ideas must be led by young people aged between 18-30 years old. The application deadline is 12 December 2025. Link to Social Shifters
youth
United Nations — Local Pathways Fellowship
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) recruits participants for its 2026 cohort of the Local Pathways Fellows. The 10-months fellowship program provides young leaders with a platform, capacity building, training opportunities and contacts of leading development experts and practitioners. The Local Pathways Fellowship is unpaid. Fellows will benefit from global visibility and exposure. Young candidates (18-30 years) working towards achieving any of the Sustainable Development Goals and representing any city or country in the world are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until 21 December 2025. Link to Local Pathways
Yale University — Young Global Scholars Program
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) offers two-week academic summer programs for high school students from all around the world. The program offers four interdisciplinary sessions on campus at Yale (USA), including sessions on Innovations in Science & Technology and Solving Global Challenges. YYGS offers the opportunity for students to apply for need-based financial aid. Furthermore, YYGS will waive the application fee if it constitutes a significant financial burden for the student’s family. The application deadline is 07 January 2026. About Yale Young Global Scholars
Commission for Environmental Cooperation — Environmental Leaders Program
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) offers the Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP). Youth aged 18–35 from Canada, Mexico or the United States are invited to propose practical solutions for protecting land, water, and air across North America. Selected teams get mentorship, participation in a youth-environmental network, and seed funding of C$15 thousand to help turn their ideas into real projects. The deadline for applications is 01 February 2026. Environmental Leaders Program
Action for Nature — International Young Eco-Hero Awards 2026
This program honors the work of young people between the ages of 8 and 16 who have completed successful projects in environmental advocacy, environmental health, research, and protection of the natural world. The selected individuals are awarded a cash prize (US$500) and certificate, as well as public recognition. The annual competition is open internationally. The application deadline is 28 February 2026. Become an Eco-Hero
Vienna Biocenter — Summer School
The Vienna Biocenter Summer School provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to work side by side with leading researchers in a dynamic scientific environment. Each fellow will be allocated a faculty member, with whom they will work closely. The research project will focus on a current topic in the allocated lab. Selected fellows receive free student accommodation, a stipend of €1400 euros, medical insurance, and other benefits. The Vienna Biocenter welcomes applications from students from all around the world who are undergraduates/master students and have completed at least two years of university study in a Life Sciences related study. The application deadline is 11 January 2026. Vienna Biocenter Summer School
ChallengeUS — Future Leaders Competition
The Future Leaders Competition invites high-school and undergraduate students worldwide to submit original work (creative writing, analytical writing, speech, or art) reflecting on a key moment or insight that shapes how they approach climate action. The competition awards a top prize of US$500, along with recognition, publication, and inclusion in the Future Leaders Network. The call closes on 16 January. Details
Cisco and Global Citizen — Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award
Cisco and Global Citizen invites applications for the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award. The Award is made to a young individual (18-30 years) who has contributed meaningfully towards the goal of ending global poverty. Global Citizen accepts applications from individuals who have, or contribute to, a registered legal entity such as a non-profit, for-profit, or social enterprise. The award includes a US$250 thousand prize paid to the organization to which the individual contributes. Submissions will close on 17 December 2025. Youth Leadership Award
e-MOVE — Cashew Value Chain
e-MOVE invites young agripreneurs within the cashew sector to transform their ideas into investment-ready, climate-smart ventures. Selected participants receive €2,000 in direct funding, mentoring, tools, and incubation support. Agripreneurs in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States are eligible. The submission window is open until 07 November 2025. Link
ARROW — Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development Youth Forum
The APFSD Youth Forum 2026 invites young people (aged 13–30) from across the Asia-Pacific region to participate. Centered on the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the SDGs: leaving no young person behind in Asia and the Pacific,” the Forum will focus on SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Selected participants will receive full funding covering round-trip travel, accommodation, meals and local transport. Applications are open until 10 November 2025. APFSD Youth Forum