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. The grand prize is a travel to the Galápagos Islands. Entries will be accepted until 10 February 2025. Planet Forward Storyfest Awards
youth
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 10 January 2025. About Yale Young Global Scholars
Trust for Sustainable Living — International Schools Essay Competition
Every year, the essay competition focuses on a different global sustainability challenge. This year’s theme is Eco-Anxiety. Participating students are invited to create a piece of artwork, music, video, poem, essay, letter, or story that explores moving from feelings of eco-anxiety to eco-action & empowerment. The Grand Prize trophy winner will receive a free international trip to a TSL Summit, including £1000 spending money. Schools have to register a Teacher Champion to participate in the competition. The deadline for essay entries is 03 March 2025. Details
UNESCO — Youth Innovation Contest
The UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) invites children and young people from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to take part in the 2024 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 (5-10 years old) and Youth Group (11-17 years old). Participants are encouraged to create works focusing on the Protection of Marine Ecosystems, Conservation of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Responding to Global Climate Change, and Building Sustainable Human Settlements. The deadline for application is 30 September 2024. More
Nigeria Energy Forum — Africa Energy Innovation Competition 2024
NEF invites applications for the Africa Energy Ideas Competition which aims to accelerate the development of early-stage energy firms across Africa. The competition is open to early-stage energy entrepreneurs from Africa to collaborate with local research institutions or industries. Young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 years from Africa are invited to participate and nominate a relevant local research institution or organization. Winners will pitch their proposed prototype model at the 2024 Nigeria Energy Forum, in Lagos (Nigeria) and a cash prize of up to $10 thousand. The deadline for proposal submission is 30 September 2024. Click here
Malmar Knowles Family Foundation — Youth Leadership Program
The Knowles Educational and Charitable Trust for International Leadership (Kectil) Program is a one-year web-based mentoring program in youth leadership. The program consists of multiple-week modules with assignments to address issues facing youth globally. Youth (aged 17-26) from developing countries are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 31 October 2024. Link to the 2025 Program
Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation — Youth Actions Challenge
The 1 Million Youth Actions Challenge supports youth-led initiatives related to clean water and sanitation, responsible consumption and production, climate action & biodiversity. Youth between 15 and 24 years from all around the world are invited to submit their solutions and projects. Selected projects will receive financial support up to C$5 thousand each and technical support. The call is open until 05 November 2024. Youth Actions Challenge
Global Solutions Initiative — Recoupling Awards
The “Young Global Changers Recoupling Awards” aim to reward young changemakers from all over the world who contribute actively towards a better alignment of economic prosperity with environmental sustainability. The award seeks to recognize impactful youth-led projects and initiatives that drive change on the ground. Projects can be social enterprises as well as youth-led nonprofit initiatives. The application deadline is 31 October 2024. Young Global Changers Recoupling Awards
Conrad Foundation — Spirit of Innovation Challenge 2024-2025
The Spirit of Innovation Challenge is a worldwide competition for youth ages 13-18 to create commercially viable products or services to address issues of global sustainability. Categories include “Energy and Environment”. Ideas are submitted by student teams, which can be international, if desired. There is a fee for team registration (discounted rates may apply for qualified title one schools or special circumstances). The winning teams are offered seed money to continue the development of their ideas. The application deadline for the activation stage (phase 1) is 01 November 2024. Link to the 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 30 November 2024. Earth Prize