UN Environment Programme (UNEP) opens call for 2026 Young Champions of the Earth Award.
The UNEP is inviting nominations for the 2026 cycle of the Young Champions of the Earth award, which honours outstanding young people driving innovative solutions to protect the planet.
The Young Champions of the Earth prize is UNEP’s flagship global youth initiative. Since its launch in 2017, the initiative has recognised 33 changemakers whose ideas span circular materials, water innovation, biodiversity protection, and community‑driven climate action. The programme is delivered in partnership with American cleantech entrepreneur Chris Kemper, UNEP’s advocate for partnerships and co‑founder of Planet A.
This year’s Young Champions will gain a package designed to move ideas from prototype to scalable impact:
- US$10,000 seed funding from Chris Kemper
- Mentorship and technical guidance from UNEP and global experts
- Access to a global network of environmental innovators and partners
- Opportunities to participate in high‑level UN events
- A trip to New York to pitch for a US$100,000 Planet A grant
UNEP is encouraging applications from entrepreneurs, scientists, economists, artists, communicators, and creators from all backgrounds. To demonstrate viability, applicants must have been actively developing their idea for at least six months.
“Tackling the interconnected crises of climate change, land degradation, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste is not an act of charity. It can deliver tangible economic benefits for countries, communities, and individuals,” said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP. “We are proud that through the Young Champions programme, these amazing individuals get mentorship, training, and seed funding to turn ambitious ideas into viable solutions for people and planet.”
The 2025 Young Champions of the Earth winners illustrate the breadth of solutions emerging from young innovators:
- Jinali Mody (India) — Founder of Banofi Leather, transforming banana crop waste into a plant‑based leather alternative.
- Joseph Nguthiru (Kenya) — Founder of HyaPak, creating biodegradable packaging from invasive water hyacinth.
- Noemi Florea (USA) — Inventor of Cycleau, a system converting greywater into drinking water.
Nguthiru went on to secure the US$100,000 Planet A grant, demonstrating how the programme can accelerate promising ideas into high‑impact ventures.
“We are proud to support these amazing young people who are changing the world,” said Kemper. “Joseph, Jinali, and Noemi showed us last year that individuals can do so much to safeguard our planet. I am excited to meet the 2026 Young Champions.”
