The World Around Young Climate Prize 2026: Empowering Young Climate Innovators

The climate crisis demands urgent action, and young people are at the forefront of creating innovative solutions. The World Around’s Young Climate Prize 2026 is a global program designed to support and amplify these efforts. This initiative focuses on young leaders, aged 25 and under, who are already implementing real-world climate projects in their communities. It offers mentorship, training, networking, and a platform to showcase their work on an international stage.

The Young Climate Prize is more than just an award; it’s a comprehensive accelerator and fellowship. It recognizes that young people are not just future leaders but are actively leading climate action today. The program aims to provide them with the resources and support needed to strengthen and scale their impact.

About The World Around Young Climate Prize

The World Around, an international nonprofit organization focused on design, architecture, climate action, and social innovation, created the Young Climate Prize. The program’s goal is to find, support, and promote young individuals who are making a difference in addressing climate change. Each cycle, 25 promising young changemakers from around the world are selected. These individuals come from diverse backgrounds and work on climate solutions in various global contexts.

The program combines several key elements to support its participants:

• One-on-one mentorship: Participants receive guidance from experienced professionals.
• Climate leadership development: Training is provided to enhance leadership skills.
• Design Academy masterclasses: Workshops focus on design thinking and innovation.
• International networking: Opportunities to connect with global leaders and peers are offered.
• Professional development: Training helps participants grow their skills and careers.
• Global visibility: Projects are showcased to a wider audience.
• Fellowship opportunities: Long-term support is provided after the initial program.
• Public presentation opportunities: Participants can present their work at major events.

The program’s highlight is the opportunity for selected winners to present their projects at The World Around Summit in New York City. This event brings together designers, policymakers, educators, climate experts, and global leaders.

What Makes the Young Climate Prize Unique?

Unlike many competitions that focus on ideas or proposals, the Young Climate Prize specifically supports projects that are already in action and demonstrating measurable impact. This focus on real-world application sets it apart. The program is unique because it:

• Prioritizes real-world climate action: It supports projects that are already making a difference.
• Focuses on mentorship and long-term support: Participants receive ongoing guidance and resources.
• Supports interdisciplinary climate solutions: It welcomes a wide range of approaches to climate challenges.
• Uses design as a tool for climate innovation: Design thinking is emphasized as a way to create effective solutions.
• Builds a global youth climate network: It connects young leaders from around the world.
• Continues support through a three-year fellowship programme: This offers sustained development beyond the initial program cycle.

Who Can Apply?

The Young Climate Prize is open to young people worldwide who are actively involved in climate solutions.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be between 13 and 25 years old when they apply.
2. Be the founder or co-founder of a climate-related project that is currently active.
3. Be actively leading the project at the time of application.
4. Show evidence of measurable or visible impact within their community.
5. Submit a project that addresses climate change mitigation or adaptation.

Team Applications

Groups of up to three people can apply together. However, all team members must meet the eligibility criteria, including the age requirement, and must be actively involved in the project.

Global Eligibility

Applications are welcome from individuals in any country, on any continent, and from any community or region. The program actively seeks participants from urban and rural areas, coastal and climate-vulnerable regions, Indigenous communities, and marginalized populations.

What Types of Projects Are Eligible?

The program accepts a broad range of climate-related projects and creative practices. Eligible projects can include:

• Climate advocacy campaigns
• Environmental education initiatives
• Sustainable architecture projects
• Circular economy solutions
• Waste reduction systems
• Urban resilience initiatives
• Indigenous climate knowledge preservation
• Renewable energy innovations
• Community adaptation projects
• Climate storytelling
• Conservation efforts
• Food systems innovation
• Biodiversity protection
• Sustainable fashion projects
• Climate communication platforms
• Ecological design projects

The program places a strong emphasis on how design can drive climate solutions.

Programme Structure

The Young Climate Prize offers a structured approach to developing and scaling climate projects.

One-on-One Mentorship

Each selected participant is paired with an internationally recognized mentor. These mentors have expertise and networks that align with the participant’s project. Mentorship sessions are designed to help participants improve their project strategy, communication, and visibility. They also assist in accessing global networks, scaling impact, refining their storytelling, and building professional confidence.

Young Climate Prize Design Academy

Participants also join the Design Academy, a weekly learning program. It features workshops, masterclasses, talks, and strategy sessions. The academy focuses on key areas such as climate leadership, communication, design thinking, public engagement, advocacy, storytelling, project scaling, and systems thinking.

Global Experts & Mentors

The Design Academy masterclasses are led by members of The World Around’s global network. This network includes designers, educators, architects, curators, and climate thinkers. These experts offer insights across various fields like architecture, design, sustainability, climate communication, urbanism, ecology, landscape design, and community development.

Final Awards & International Recognition

An international jury selects winners based on their projects and contributions. The selected winners receive the opportunity to travel to New York City. There, they will present their work at The World Around Summit 2027. This provides significant international exposure and connects them with global climate leaders.

Three-Year Fellowship Opportunity

A key feature of the program is the three-year fellowship that all cohort participants enter after completing the main program cycle. This fellowship offers ongoing support, continued mentorship, access to resources, networking opportunities, and professional growth support. This long-term commitment distinguishes the program from short-term competitions.

What Participants Gain

Selected participants benefit in numerous ways throughout the program. These benefits include:

• Personalized mentorship from experienced professionals.
• Access to world-renowned climate and design leaders.
• Weekly Design Academy masterclasses.
• Global networking opportunities with peers and experts.
• Development of climate leadership skills.
• Training in storytelling and communication.
• Strategic guidance for project growth.
• Exposure to international audiences.
• Fellowship opportunities for continued support.
• Potential travel to New York City.
• The chance to present at The World Around Summit.
• Connection to a global community of climate innovators.

Submission Requirements

Applicants need to submit several items to be considered for the Young Climate Prize:

1. A short introductory video about their project.
2. Written or visual materials that show evidence of the project’s impact.
3. Supporting documentation that demonstrates the project’s work and progress.

Submissions can be completed in either English or Spanish.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Young Climate Prize 2026 is June 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT. It is advisable for applicants to submit their applications early to avoid any last-minute technical issues and to ensure their submissions are well-prepared.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through the official Young Climate Prize application platform. Interested individuals can find the application link on The World Around’s website. Nominations for potential candidates are also welcomed through a separate form.

Why Young Climate Leaders Should Apply

Climate change is a major global challenge, and young people are actively developing impactful solutions. The Young Climate Prize offers young changemakers recognition, mentorship, international exposure, and long-term fellowship support. It also provides leadership development, professional growth opportunities, and a chance to build connections within a global community. For young leaders already taking action, this program offers the tools, guidance, and network necessary to expand their influence worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions