The YMCA Network Solutions Youth Empowerment Fund is a grant opportunity designed to support youth-led initiatives that address local challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. The grant is open to YMCA National Movements and their local associations in countries eligible. Grants of €10 thousand to €20 thousand are available for national projects, and up to €30 thousand for multi-country collaborations involving at least three countries. Applications close on 18 May 2025. Link to more information
youth
Climatic Peace — Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction Fellowship
The Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Fellowship Program 2025 is a 12-week hybrid initiative designed to empower young changemakers across the Arab States. The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to drive climate action and enhance disaster resilience through innovative, community-driven solutions. The program is open to youth-led NGOs, student groups, social enterprises, or informal collectives. The deadline for applications is 20 May 2025. Details here
International Center for New Media — World Summit Awards 2025
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 30 June 2025. (Deadlines for national submission of applications for WSA may vary locally.) Find out more
Global Environmental Education Partnership — Youth Innovation Challenge 2025
The Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC) invites applicants from 15 to 30 years of age to propose innovative solutions to protect marine resources and support people of all ages to be engaged stewards for marine conservation. Global Environmental Education Partnership seeks solutions that are innovative, feasible, and informed by research. Three solutions will be awarded a US$1000 prize. The deadline to submit proposals is 30 June 2025. Find the challenge
World Food Forum — Transformative Research Challenge
The World Food Forum (WFF) Transformative Research Challenge is a global competition designed to empower young researchers to develop innovative and impactful solutions to transform agrifood systems. WFF supports participants in developing research proposals that lead to actionable and tangible solutions. Winning teams receive up to US$10 thousand in research funding to implement their projects. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to agrifood systems, such as agriculture, food science, environmental science, sustainable development, or other related disciplines. Applications must be submitted by 09 May 2025. Transformative Research Challenge
NewGen — Renewable Energy Accelerator
The NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen) supports the development and implementation of youth-led solutions in the climate and sustainable energy sectors. The program consists of a series of training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing activities. Youth-led start-ups, scale-ups, and growth businesses from all around the world can apply. Eligible candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old. The application deadline is 10 May 2025. Renewable Energy Accelerator
School of International Futures — Next Generation Foresight Fellowship
The Next Generation Foresight Fellowship is an opportunity for young professionals to have more support as they begin to explore the futures and foresight field. Each fellow receives a US$1,000 prize to develop and accelerate their project. By the end of their fellowship, all fellows have the chance to run for the Fellowship Main Prize, which consists of US$10 thousand. The fellowship is open to anyone aged between 18 and 35. The closing date for submissions is 31 July 2025. Foresight Fellowship
Breakthrough Prize — Breakthrough Junior Challenge
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge asks youth to submit scientific discoveries or explain a big scientific idea in Physics, Life Sciences, or Mathematics with a short video (max. 2:00 minutes). One winner receives a US$250 thousand post-secondary scholarship, including an additional US$50 thousand teacher prize and US$100 thousand Breakthrough Science Lab. Eligibility is limited to individuals between the ages of 13 and 18 but is open to participants worldwide without geographic limitations. Videos have to be submitted by 15 September 2025. Know more
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Global Bioenergy Youth Award
The GBEP Youth Award recognizes research conducted by students in the field of bioenergy. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to present their research and receive their award certificate during the GBEP Bioenergy Week. Applicants should be within the age limit of 30 years old for bachelor and Master students, and 35 years old for Ph.D. students. This year, the 2025 Award is focused exclusively on Africa. Candidates must complete the application form before 30 April 2025. GBEP Youth Award
U.S. Department of State — Professional Fellows Program for Latin America and the Caribbean
The U.S. Department of State invites proposal submissions for the Young Leaders of the Americas (YLAI) Fellowship Program. The global exchange program will support approx. 250 social entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean in a five to four-week Fellowship program, including entrepreneurial training and workshops. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education. Applications have to be submitted by 02 May 2025. Link to YLAI