Young Climate Prize 2026 / Cycle 03
The World Around Inc.
📌About the Event
Young Climate Prize 2026 is a global climate leadership accelerator and award program by The World Around. It supports young climate changemakers aged 13–25 who are already running real-world climate action projects. Selected finalists receive mentorship from global designers, training through the Design Academy, networking, project-scaling support, and the chance to present their work in New York City.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Organizer: The World Around
- Program Type: Global climate action mentorship and award program
- Mode of Conduct: Hybrid
- Application: Online through the official Apply Today link on The World Around website
- Mentorship & Design Academy: Includes workshops, lectures, strategy sessions, and one-on-one mentorship
- Final Presentation: Selected winners get the opportunity to present at The World Around Summit 2027 in New York City
- Theme: Climate action, sustainability, design-led climate solutions, community impact, environmental innovation
- Who Should Apply: Young founders or co-founders leading an active climate-action project with measurable impact
📅 Important Dates
- Applications Open: April 22, 2026
- Application Deadline: June 30, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT
- Cohort 03 Announcement: September 2026, during NY Climate Week
- Design Academy Begins: September 2026
- Jury Review: January 2027
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Age Limit: Applicants must be 13 to 25 years old at the time of application.
- Location: Open to applicants from any country, including India.
- Team Participation: Teams of up to 3 co-founders can apply, but every member must individually meet the eligibility criteria.
- Founder Requirement: Applicants must be the founder or co-founder of the project and must be actively leading it.
- Project Stage: Only live projects with demonstrable impact are eligible; ideas that have not started are not accepted.
- Project Focus: Projects should address or reduce the impact of climate change in a community.
- Accepted Sectors: Climate-related work may include design, activism, science, education, ecology, sustainability, creative practices, and community-led solutions.
- Submission Requirement: Applicants must submit a short video introducing the project, along with written or visual materials showing evidence of work and impact.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- Finalist Selection: 25 young changemakers under 25 are selected for the cohort.
- Mentorship: Each finalist receives individual mentorship from a leading global designer.
- Design Academy Access: Finalists attend The World Around’s Design Academy, which offers training in storytelling, communication, public engagement, and project development.
- Project Scaling Support: Participants receive strategic guidance to strengthen and scale their climate project.
- Global Network: Finalists join a peer network of young climate leaders and professionals.
- NYC Opportunity: Selected winners get the opportunity to travel to New York City and present their work on stage.
- Long-Term Fellowship: Participants join the Young Climate Prize Fellowship for three years beyond the program.