The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is a project-based learning experience for middle and high school teams. Participants are asked to design bio-inspired ideas that can provide solutions to the climate crisis. The Youth Design Challenge follows an academic calendar which means that teachers can teach the biomimicry project at any time. The challenge is open to schools from all around the world (US equivalent grades 6th-12th). Schools have to register teams that consist of up to eight student team members and an official teacher coach. Each team has the chance to win multiple prizes. The registration deadline for student teams is 28 March 2024. Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge
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ClimateScience — Olympiad 2024
ClimateScience is a global charity creating and providing educational resources on solutions to climate change to people worldwide. ClimateScience invites youth from 14-17 years and 18-25 years to participate in the Climate Science Olympiad 2024. Participants can compete in teams of two or on their own. Individual applicants can be matched up with a teammate. Each team (or individual) chooses one of three problem statements (topics: biodiversity, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture) to respond to. The top 3 teams win US$5 thousand, US$3 thousand and US$2 thousand, respectively. Registration ends on 10 May 2024. ClimateScience Olympiad
Iridescent — Technology Entrepreneurship Program for Girls
Technovation invites teams of girls from all over the world to learn and apply the skills needed to solve real-world problems through technology. Girls work with women mentors, find a problem in their community and develop a mobile app to launch a startup. Categories may include environment, poverty, health, and others. Eligibility extends to teams of up to 5 girls (aged 8-18 years). Registration deadline is 31 January 2024. Learn more about the Technovation Competition
African Development Bank — African Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) seek to accelerate climate adaptation action under the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP). The program will support the commercialization of climate change adaptation solutions of youth entrepreneurs in Africa. The YouthADAPT Challenge is open to solutions (products, services, tools, or ideas) targeted at climate change adaptation and increasing resilience. AAAP awards a business grant of up to US$100 thousand to further develop the solution. Enterprises must be youth-led (applicants aged between 18 and 35 years) and legally registered and operating in Africa. The application deadline is 05 November 2023. Link to the YouthADAPT Challenge
U.S. Department of State — Small Grants for Young Leaders in Southeast Asia
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is a program of the U.S. government to support bright young leaders ages 18-35 in the ASEAN countries. YSEALI Seeds for the Future is a small grants competition that provides funding of up to $15 thousand for promising young leaders to carry out projects that improve their communities. The four core themes are (1) Civic Engagement, (2) Education, (3) Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, and (4) Environmental Issues. The application deadline is 16 November 2023. YSEALI Seeds For the Future
UN Global Compact — Young SDG Innovators Program
The Young SDG Innovators Program is an accelerator program for future business leaders and changemakers to develop and drive innovative SDG solutions through new technologies, initiatives, and business models. Participants participate in online and in-person workshops, case studies, company visits and forum discussions. Companies based in Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, United Kingdom or the United States have the opportunity to collaborate with their Global Compact Local Networks to nominate young professionals for the program. The nomination deadline is 31 January 2024. Link to UN Global Compact
Hult Prize Foundation — Hult Prize Challenge
The Hult Prize is a start-up accelerator for social entrepreneurship which brings together college and university students to solve the world’s most pressing issues. In 2024, participants can pitch any idea for a social enterprise, as long as it is world-changing and aligned with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).. The Hult Prize runs regional competitions around the world, campus events, a national competition, and online for the chance to join the Global Accelerator Program. The winning team will be awarded US$1 million in seed capital. Hult Prize
U.S. Department of State — Algerian Youth Leadership Program
The Algerian Youth Leadership Program at the University of Nevada (Reno, USA) is a leadership development opportunity for Algerian and American youth. The program offers workshops and activities about civic participation and the role that social enterprises play in a community. Youth who are eligible to apply must be a legal citizen of Algeria, be 15-17 years old and have at least one year of high school remaining after the program. Youth participants have to apply by 21 October 2023. Access here
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — Global Climate Action Awards
The United Nations (UN) welcomes the submission activities that serve as examples of what people around the world are doing to address climate change. For 2023, the Awards seek to highlight the innovative climate action that young people around the world are undertaking to ensure their communities are more sustainable, resilient, and equitable places to live. The winners will receive a range of benefits, including fully-paid participation at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The deadline for applications is 15 October 2023. UN Global Climate Action Awards
The Commonwealth Secretary-General — Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards
Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards recognize ground-breaking innovations from Commonwealth countries that contribute to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Each winner will receive a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of £3,000. Nominees can be individuals, organizations, companies, charities or government bodies. Entries must be received by 15 October 2023. Know more