Can $30,000 turn your climate idea into action? Apply for Youth4Climate Call for Solutions 2025

The Youth4Climate Call for Solutions 2025 is calling for young innovators relentlessly tackling climate challenges across the globe. Co-led by the Government of Italy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this initiative offers up to $30,000 in funding, mentorship, networking opportunities, and technical support. It’s aimed at youth-led organisations in UNDP countries working on climate-focused projects. If you’re aged 18 to 29 and passionate about making a difference, this could be your moment.

Every year, climate challenges like floods, heatwaves, and droughts seem to hit harder. In 2023, the World Meteorological Organisation reported it as the hottest year on record at 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels. Hence, Youth4Climate empowers young innovators to lead the charge in tackling Earth`s most pressing climatic issues.  Since its debut in 2023, Youth4Climate has invested $2.5 million in 100 youth-led projects across 52 countries. In 2024, the programme received over 2000 applications, and after a rigorous process, 50 solutions from 32 countries were funded.

Earlier participants like Sanvi Bhutani and Sarthak Ahuja from India won support for their Harwaste project, which aims to transform agricultural waste into sustainable building materials which could be used to build homes.

What sets this year apart is its focus on six thematic areas, which are;

• Sustainable energy: as renewables become the world’s top electricity source, can you leverage renewables like solar, using digitalisation to optimise systems, exploring innovative financing, or scaling decentralised solutions for underserved areas
• Food and agriculture: for agriculture-focused businesses turning crop residues like maize stalks into compost, reducing waste while creating a new product for farmers
• Climate and health: as climate crisis affects human health, this thematic area supports youth-led actions that integrate health into climate planning, ensuring the needs of vulnerable groups are prioritised
• Digital for planet: are your applications tracking emissions for small factories, paving the way for eco-friendly business partnerships
• Climate, peace, and security: promotes peace-positive climate action, such as clean energy access, natural resource management, social cohesion, and support for youth affected by these issues
• Nature for climate action: supports youth-led nature-based solutions focused on conservation, restoration, and integrating the value of nature into decision-making across sectors

Who can apply?

To be eligible, founders or cofounders must:

• Be between the ages 18-29
• Have registered as a youth-led civil society organisation (CSO), non-governmental organisation (NGO), community-based organisation (CBO)
• Have a  functional solution working in one of the eligible countries
• Align with one of the six thematic areas mentioned above
• Resides  in one of the eligible countries

ALSO READ: Want to solve the climate crisis with AI? This $200K global fellowship is your launchpad

How to apply

• Visit the Call for Solutions 2025 website and sign up
• Download the Youth4Climate Call for Solutions 2025 guidelines and read them carefully
• Fill out the budget and work plan template
• Record a three-minute video selling your idea
• Submit your application once you’ve completed all necessary steps

You will find some helpful guides that can help brush up on your chances on the Youth4Climate resources page.

Benefits for awardees

• Technical support to hone your skills
• Mentorship from experts who’ve been there
• A chance to shine at Youth4Climate events and on UNDP’s global stage

The Youth4Climate initiative is a testament to the belief that young entrepreneurs can drive meaningful climate progress. For youth-led organisations focused on climate projects, this is a chance to lead the way. Assemble your team, prepare your application, and submit your proposal. The planet’s future depends on innovators like you, and the need for action has never been more urgent.

The application deadline is Monday, May 26, 2025

Do you have an innovative business (small, mid-scale business or startup) that adds value, creates opportunities or solves bold problems? Then you`ve got a story worth telling? Shoot us an email with SUBJECT “Story Worth Telling (+Name of Business)” to editorial@smepeaks.com