Deadline: 28-Mar-2026
The Team Up for Climate Challenge is a global competition inviting teams of 2 to 5 students and young graduates to develop innovative climate adaptation solutions. Participants receive expert mentorship and entrepreneurial training, with top teams competing for prizes up to €9,000 in total funding and a study trip to Paris.
The Team Up for Climate Challenge is an international initiative designed to empower the next generation of leaders to address climate resilience. It focuses on “adapting and living together” by challenging teams to transform local areas into climate-resilient environments through actionable, community-based projects.
Why It Matters: Building Climate Resilience
As global temperatures rise, the focus of environmental action is shifting from mitigation to adaptation.
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Real-World Impact: Encourages the application of theoretical knowledge to solve specific vulnerabilities in local territories.
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Skill Development: Bridges the gap between academic study and entrepreneurship through workshops on business modeling and pitching.
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Global Networking: Connects young innovators with professional mentors and a lifelong alumni network.
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Funding the Future: Provides critical “Boost Prizes” to help transition winning ideas from concepts to functional startups.
Core Categories and Key Concepts
Participants must align their projects with one or more of the following three pillars:
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Inform & Raise Awareness: Tools and campaigns that educate the public or specific stakeholders about local climate risks.
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Anticipate & Repair: Systems for early warning, risk forecasting, or restorative actions following climate-related events.
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Protect: Physical or social infrastructures designed to shield communities and ecosystems from extreme weather and environmental changes.
Who is Eligible?
The challenge is open to a global audience of emerging talent:
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Team Size: Groups of 2 to 5 members.
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Status: Current students or young graduates from any country.
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Focus: Teams must choose a “local area they know well” to propose a resilience transformation.
Financial Awards and Incentives
The challenge offers tiered financial support and professional development:
First Prize The winning team receives €4,000 (distributed pro rata per member) and a €5,000 Boost Prize after 6 to 8 months of development. This award also includes a study trip to Paris to present the project.
Second Prize The runner-up team receives €3,000, accompanied by a €3,000 Boost Prize following 6 to 8 months of project progression.
Third Prize The third-place team receives €2,000 to support their project development. All winning teams receive additional individual coaching on project management and financial planning.
How It Works: The Challenge Timeline
The competition is structured into two distinct phases to help teams refine their ideas.
Phase 1: Registration and Identification
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Form a Team: Assemble 2–5 members with diverse skills.
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Identify Risk: Select a local territory and diagnose its climate vulnerabilities.
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Submit Proposal: Outline your solution based on the Inform, Anticipate, or Protect approaches.
Phase 2: Deep Support (Top 15 Teams)
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Intensive Workshops: Seven weeks of training on business models, social impact, and technical feasibility.
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Mentorship: Direct pairing with experts to solidify the project plan.
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Pitch Preparation: Training on how to present effectively to a professional jury.
Final Selection
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Jury Vote: A panel of experts selects the 1st and 2nd place winners based on Phase 2 presentations.
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Employee Vote: The 3rd place winner is chosen by a popular vote from the sponsoring organization’s employees.
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Awards Ceremony: Held in October, featuring a showcase in Paris.
Tips for Success
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Local Insight: Success depends on how well you understand the specific nuances of your chosen territory. General solutions are less competitive than highly localized ones.
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Interdisciplinary Teams: Mix technical (science/engineering) members with business or social science members to ensure a balanced business model.
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Utilize the “Discussion Wall”: Once registered, engage with the exclusive content and Q&A sessions with past laureates.
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Focus on Feasibility: The judges look for projects that can realistically be “brought to life” within the first six months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I participate individually? No. This challenge requires teams of at least 2 and no more than 5 members.
2. What is a “Boost Prize”? The Boost Prize is additional funding awarded to the 1st and 2nd place teams 6 to 8 months after the initial award, intended to support the ongoing development and implementation of the project.
3. Do I need a business background to apply? No. The challenge provides collective workshops that train participants on business models and entrepreneurship during Phase 2.
4. How is the 3rd prize winner selected? Unlike the first two prizes, which are decided by a jury, the 3rd prize winner is determined by an employee vote.
5. Is the study trip to Paris only for the first prize team? Yes. The 1st prize team travels to Paris to present their project, while 2nd and 3rd place teams present virtually.
6. What are the “technical aspects” mentors help with? Mentors assist with the scientific validity of the climate adaptation, the environmental impact measurements, and the structural feasibility of the solution.
7. Can young graduates from any country apply? Yes. The challenge is open to students and young graduates worldwide.
Conclusion
The Team Up for Climate Challenge is a unique platform that converts climate anxiety into climate action. By providing a structured pathway from local risk identification to funded project incubation, it ensures that innovative ideas receive the mentorship and capital needed to become reality. Young innovators ready to build local resilience should assemble their teams and prepare for the Phase 1 submission.
For more information, visit EGIS Impact Hub.