The World Around Young Climate Prize 2026: Empowering Young Innovators
The climate crisis demands urgent action, and many young people are already at the forefront, developing innovative solutions. The World Around Young Climate Prize 2026 is a global program designed to support these young leaders. This initiative offers mentorship, training, and a platform to amplify their work, recognizing that youth are not just future leaders but current changemakers.
The program specifically looks for individuals aged 25 and under who are already leading climate action projects in their communities. It provides a unique blend of support, focusing on real-world impact rather than just ideas. The application deadline for the 2026 cycle is June 30, 2026.
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 aims to find, support, and highlight young people who are actively creating climate solutions. Each cycle, 25 young changemakers from around the world are chosen. These individuals come from diverse backgrounds and face different climate challenges.
The program offers several key components:
- One-on-one mentorship with experienced professionals.
- Training in climate leadership.
- Masterclasses through a Design Academy.
- Opportunities to connect with a global network.
- Support for professional growth.
- Increased global visibility for their projects.
- Fellowship opportunities for continued support.
- A chance to present their work at a major summit.
The program culminates with participants presenting 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 Stand Out
Unlike many competitions that focus on project proposals, the Young Climate Prize supports young people already running active projects with clear climate impacts. This focus on real-world action is a key differentiator.
The program is unique because it:
- Prioritizes projects that are already making a difference.
- Offers ongoing mentorship and long-term support.
- Encourages solutions that cross different fields of study.
- Uses design as a tool to drive climate innovation.
- Helps build a worldwide network of young climate leaders.
- Provides support through a three-year fellowship program.
This approach acknowledges that young people are actively leading climate efforts today, not just preparing for the future.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
The Young Climate Prize is open to young individuals worldwide who are actively involved in climate solutions.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be between 13 and 25 years old when they apply.
- Be the founder or co-founder of a climate-related project that is currently active.
- Be actively involved in leading the project at the time of application.
- Show evidence of measurable or visible impact in their community.
- Submit a project that addresses climate change through mitigation or adaptation.
Team Applications
Groups of up to three people can apply together. However, all team members must meet every eligibility requirement, be within the age range, and actively contribute to the project.
Global Reach
The program welcomes applicants from any country, continent, or region. This includes individuals from urban and rural areas, Indigenous communities, coastal regions, climate-vulnerable areas, and marginalized populations.
Eligible Project Types
The program accepts a wide range of climate-related projects and creative work.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Climate advocacy campaigns
- Environmental education programs
- Sustainable architecture designs
- Circular economy initiatives
- Waste reduction systems
- Urban resilience projects
- Efforts to preserve Indigenous climate knowledge
- Renewable energy innovations
- Community adaptation strategies
- Climate storytelling projects
- Conservation efforts
- Food system innovations
- Biodiversity protection initiatives
- Sustainable fashion projects
- Climate communication platforms
- Ecological design projects
The program particularly values projects that use design to create climate solutions.
Program Structure and Support
The Young Climate Prize offers a structured approach to support its participants.
One-on-One Mentorship
Each selected participant is paired with an internationally recognized mentor. These mentors have expertise and networks that match the participant’s work. The mentorship sessions help participants improve their project strategy, communication skills, and visibility. They also provide access to global networks, help scale their impact, and build confidence.
Young Climate Prize Design Academy
Selected participants also join the Design Academy, a weekly program featuring workshops, masterclasses, talks, and strategy sessions. This academy focuses on developing key skills such as climate leadership, communication, design thinking, public engagement, advocacy, storytelling, and project scaling.
Expert Guidance
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 into architecture, design, sustainability, climate communication, urbanism, ecology, landscape design, and community development.
Awards and Recognition
An international jury selects winners at the end of the program. These awards include titles like “Young Climate Designer,” “Young Climate Visionary,” and “Young Climate Voice.”
Winning participants receive the opportunity to travel to New York City to present their work at The World Around Summit. This provides significant international exposure and connects them with global climate leaders and influential audiences.
Three-Year Fellowship Opportunity
A significant aspect of the program is the three-year fellowship that all cohort participants automatically enter after completing the main program cycle. This fellowship offers continued support, ongoing mentorship, access to resources, networking opportunities, and professional growth support. It also provides opportunities for project development and global collaborations. This long-term commitment sets the program apart from short-term awards.
Benefits for Participants
Selected participants gain numerous advantages throughout the program.
These benefits include:
- Personalized mentorship from experts.
- Access to world-renowned climate and design leaders.
- Weekly masterclasses in the Design Academy.
- Global networking opportunities.
- Training in climate leadership.
- Development of storytelling and communication skills.
- Strategic guidance for project expansion.
- Exposure to international audiences.
- Fellowship opportunities for continued growth.
- Potential travel to New York City.
- The chance to present at The World Around Summit.
- Connection to a global community of climate innovators.
Submission Details
Applicants are required to submit:
- A short introductory video about their project.
- Written or visual materials that show evidence of their project’s impact.
- Supporting documents that demonstrate their work on the project.
Submissions can be made in 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 technical issues and to ensure they have sufficient time to prepare strong submissions.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted through the official Young Climate Prize application platform. Interested individuals can apply directly or nominate someone they believe would be a good fit for the program.
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 innovators recognition, mentorship, international exposure, and long-term support through its fellowship. It also provides leadership development, professional growth, and community building. For young changemakers already taking action, this program offers the necessary tools, guidance, and network to expand their global influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the World Around Young Climate Prize?
It’s a global program by The World Around that supports and highlights young people, aged 25 and under, who are leading active climate solutions projects.
Who is eligible to apply for the Young Climate Prize?
You must be between 13 and 25 years old, be the founder or co-founder of an active climate project with visible impact, and be actively leading it.
What kind of support does the program offer?
Selected participants receive one-on-one mentorship, training in leadership and design through a Design Academy, and global networking opportunities.
When is the application deadline for the 2026 cycle?
The deadline to apply for the Young Climate Prize 2026 is June 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT.
