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 Nigeria Energy Forum and receive a cash prize of up to $10 thousand. The deadline for proposal submission is 15 September 2025. Click here
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Explorers Club — Rising Explorer Grant
The Explorers Club supports the scientific fieldwork of groundbreaking explorers around the world. The Rising Explore Grant supports the fieldwork of serious researchers and offers exploration grants to High School Students and College Undergraduates as a way to help get their expedition science career off the ground. Awards typically range from $1,500 to $3,000. The deadline to submit applications is 08 October 2025. Rising Explorer Grant
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development — Mountain Prize 2025
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) seeks nominations for the 2025 Mountain Prize. The Prize is awarded to an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding efforts enabling sustainable and resilient mountain development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. The prize is currently set at US$ 2,500. Thematic areas include access to water for drinking or/and sanitation, food/nutrition security, climate change adaptation or/and disaster risk reduction, access to clean energy, ecosystems/biodiversity management, and two others. Women and youth are encouraged to apply. Nominations are accepted until 15 October 2025. Mountain Prize
Global Changemaker Collective — Fellowship
The Global Changemaker Collective (GCC) is a collaborative network that unites youth, organizations, and governments to drive global change through local solutions. The Global Changemaker Fellowship is a six‑month virtual advancement program that supports social change leaders (aged 13–35) as they scale their community initiatives through workshops, mentorship, and access to a global peer network. Applications for the 2025 cohort have to be submitted by 15 September 2025. Global Changemaker Fellowship
World Summit Awards — Young Innovators Award
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 31 October 2025. (Deadlines for national submission of applications for WSA may vary locally.) Find out more
Pulitzer Center — Local Letters for Global Change
Local Letters for Global Change is a Pulitzer Center writing contest for students. Students are encouraged to write a letter to a local elected representative that explains the global issue they want them to prioritize (e.g., Climate and Environment), shows how it connects to their local community and proposes a solution. The Pulitzer Center welcomes entries from all current K-12 students across the globe. First-place winners will receive US$300 to support global community engagement. Educators working with groups of 50 or more students can also schedule a free, virtual workshop facilitated by a member of the Pulitzer Center Education team. The application deadline is 14 November 2025. Letters for Global Change
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 15 August 2025. Youth Actions Challenge
International Trade Centre — Youth Ecopreneurs
The Ye! Youth Ecopreneur Program welcomes young entrepreneurs to submit their green business initiatives. The program includes a global boot camp, and accelerator phase, and concludes with the celebrated Youth Ecopreneur Awards. The winner of the Youth Ecopreneur Award receives US$10 thousand in prize money. Applicants must be under the age of 35 and lead businesses that promote land restoration, sustainability, circularity, and/or the green economy. The application deadline is 14 September 2025. Ye! Youth Ecopreneur
UNU Global AI Network — Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition
The Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition invites individuals, teams, organizations, and startups from around the world to submit AI-driven solutions focused on the theme “AI for the Environment: Ecological Sustainability and the Green Transition.” Applications are open for proposals that address one or more of four tracks: climate change adaptation; environmental protection and conservation; clean energy; and AI for less developed countries.The application deadline is 15 September 2025. AI Future Innovation Competition
World Food Forum — Youth Representatives Program
The WFF Youth Representatives Program empowers young leaders aged 18–35 to contribute to global agrifood systems policy and advocacy through regional and thematic consultations and representation at the World Food Forum flagship event in October 2025. Eligible applicants include young farmers, Indigenous youth, youth organization members, students, and young professionals with experience in agrifood, environment, or development sectors. Youth Representatives engage virtually and in person, attend a minimum of two regional consultations, and contribute to global dialogues throughout their tenure. The deadline to apply is 10 August 2025. Youth Representatives Program