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
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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
United People Global — Leadership Training Program
The United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leadership training program offers young leaders from all over the world the opportunity to participate in an immersive 1-week experience on an island in the USA. UPG seeks young people (18-35 years) who want to take positive action that helps the world tackle a sustainability challenge to achieve any of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 500 young leaders will be selected to participate in an online program and receive a certification after successful completion of the online training. 60 participants will have the chance to attend the complimentary 1-week training in the USA (all costs of the program will be covered). Applications should be received by 31 December 2025 for the Class of 2026. UPG Sustainability Leadership
Nigeria Energy Forum — Africa Energy Innovation Competition 2025
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 $10 thousand. The deadline for proposal submission is 15 September 2025. Click here
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development — Mountain Prize 2025
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) seeks nominations for the 2025 Mountain Prize. The Prize is awarded to an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding efforts enabling sustainable and resilient mountain development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. The prize is currently set at US$ 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
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
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
Global Center on Adaptation — Climate Adaption Video Competition
For the Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day, the Global Center on Adaptation seeks one-minute videos on “My Climate Adaptation Solution.” Participants must submit one‑minute videos showcasing innovative adaptation ideas in areas like nature-based solutions, water, climate-resilient agriculture, education, and advocacy. Entries are open to global youth (18–35). The competition closes on 09 August 2025. Climate Adaption Video Competition
Lever for Change — Emerging Climate Champions Award
The Emerging Climate Champions Award provides flexible multiyear grants of $1 million each to youth-led (ages 15–35) climate organizations worldwide. It supports groups with at least two years of active operations, community leadership, and measurable climate impact—spanning initiatives in climate justice, conservation, sustainable agriculture, resilience, movement building, and more. The award is open to organizations from all regions, including Indigenous-led, women-led, grassroots, and other under-resourced groups. Applicants must register by 15 August 2025. Emerging Climate Champions Award