Social Shifters announces the Global Innovation Challenge to help young leaders and founders solve the social or environmental issues that matter to them. The challenge seeks creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the problems that matter to local communities and welcomes ideas from anywhere in the world. Participants compete for awards of up to US$15 thousand to deliver activities that improve lives, help communities, and protect the planet. All ideas must be led by young people aged between 18-30 years old. The application deadline is 29 August 2025. Link to Social Shifters
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Future Blue Youth Council — True Blue Fellowship
The True Blue Fellowship connects and empowers youth around the world to leverage the creative arts to enact change in local communities to safeguard the ocean, waterways, and the climate. The Fellowship provides mentorship, capacity building, and funding of up to $2,500 for 10 youth-led projects that address ocean, waterways, or climate change issues in their local communities. Young people groups, clubs, or organizations worldwide can apply. Applications are due on 01 September 2025. True Blue Fellowship
SEAMEO — Education for Sustainable Development
The SEAMEO-Japan Education for Sustainable Development Award invites public and private schools across Southeast Asia to showcase initiatives that enhance community resilience through local wisdom in disaster risk reduction. The first prize includes US$1,000 and a study tour to Japan for selected students and teachers. Second and third prizes are US$600 and US$400, respectively. Eligible schools include kindergartens, elementary, secondary, and vocational institutions. The submission deadline is 15 August 2025. Details here
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Global AgriInno Challenge 2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks youth-led innovations and solutions in response to the challenges associated with distribution and sales of agri-food products. Selected teams of two to five young innovators will be invited to further develop and pitch their digital development solutions. Winning teams will receive seed funding of US$30 thousand to develop their ideas. The agri-innovation challenge is open to all youth (below 35 years old) with digital innovations or ideas for the agri-food sector. The deadline to submit an application form is 07 June 2025. Visit the Global AgriInno Challenge
International Organization for Migration — Climate Mobility in Africa
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launches a call for applications for the initiative “Accelerating Youth-Led Action in Addressing Climate Mobility in Africa.” The program aims to strengthen the capacities of youth and youth-led civil society organizations across Africa by providing technical expertise, resources, and platforms to lead climate mobility solutions. Eligibility extends to youth and youth-led civil society organizations based in Africa. Interested applicants must submit their proposals by 15 June 2025. Know more
YMCA Network Solutions — Youth Empowerment Fund
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
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
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