The Anzisha Prize seeks young innovators ages 15-22 in Africa who develop and implement innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. Past awards include innovations in energy, agriculture, and ecological consumer products. The grand prize winners will share prizes worth US$140 thousand. Applicants must be nationals of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/beneficiaries. The next application closes on 07 November 2026. Anzisha Prize
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UNESCO — Youth Innovation Contest
The UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) invites children and young people to take part in the 2025 Youth Innovation Contest. Participants can submit creative works that reflect their vision of a more sustainable planet, using any format (painting, story, poem, or a research essay). The contest is open to two age groups: Children’s Group (5-12 years old) and Youth Group (13-17 years old). Participants are encouraged to create works focusing on Climate Change, Biodiversity, Building Sustainable Communities, Protecting Water Resources, and Clean Energy. The deadline for application is 16 November 2025. More
U.S. Department of State — TechGirls 2026
TechGirls is an international summer exchange program designed to empower and inspire young women from around the world to pursue careers in science and technology. The program is open to teenage girls (ages 15-17) from eligible countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, and Latin America. TechGirls covers the costs of travel, accommodation, and meals for participation in the technology camp hosted by Virginia Tech University. The application will close on 04 December 2025. Link to TechGirls
Biomimicry Institute — Youth Design Challenge 2026
he 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 31 January 2026. Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge
Commonwealth Secretariat — Commonwealth Youth Awards 2025
The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work recognize individuals ages 15 to 29 who lead innovative development projects in themes that include agriculture, small enterprise, skills training, climate change, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty reduction. The program selects regional winners from each of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Winners are awarded grants of up to a total of £5 thousand in total to advance their projects. The application deadline is 17 October 2025. Commonwealth Youth Awards
Composting Council Research and Education Foundation — Poster Contest
The International Compost Awareness Week Committee invites submissions for its annual poster contest. This year’s theme is “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us”. The winning poster will serve as the promotional piece of the 2026 International Compost Awareness Week and the winner will receive US$500. The contest is open to anyone from 9th grade (age 14) or older from anywhere in the world. The contest runs until 14 November 2025. About the poster contest
Campus France — Visiting Fellowship for Early Career Researchers
The Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) initiative calls for applications from young researchers who wish to carry out their research in France. MOPGA intends to award 40 fellowships for a duration of 12 months with a monthly allowance of €2,500. Eligible research themes include climate change and energy transition. Foreign researchers must hold a doctoral degree for less than 5 years. The application period ends on 12 December 2025. MOPGA Visiting Fellowship
Learning Planet Institute — Youth Design Challenge
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge is an annual global initiative encouraging young individuals aged 15-26 to pitch their ideas for innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants can pitch programs on one of the following themes: Community Engagement, Socio-emotional Development, and Sustainability (planetary health and regenerative economy). The 12 finalists will receive regular mentorship from a global network of industries with the goal of implementing their programs. The winner receives US$1000. The deadline for submissions is 15 January 2026. Youth Design Challenge
Earth Prize — Student Environmental Projects
The Earth Prize is an annual, global environmental sustainability competition for students between the ages of 13 and 19. The Earth Prize will reward seven regional winners, each receiving $12,500 to implement their ideas. The regions are Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Central & South America. Additionally, The Earth Prize will recognize three mentors and three educators of the year, awarding each $2,500. The registration phase closes on 31 January 2026. Earth Prize
Planet Forward — Story Award
The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards invites students to submit stories that inspire, motivate, and drive change. Planet Forward seeks stories surrounding the people, ideas, and innovations moving the world toward a greener future. Participants can submit stories (written, video, multimedia, or podcast) on topics such as climate justice, biodiversity, food, water, or energy. Entries will be accepted until 09 February 2026. Planet Forward Storyfest Awards