Second Call of Sustain Champion Awards Program in Tanzania and Mozambique

The Sustain Champions Awards Program supports youth-led innovations that strengthen water security and climate resilience in Mozambique and Tanzania. The program provides small grants, mentorship, and global visibility to young innovators developing locally grounded solutions for climate adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable water management.

The Sustain Champions Awards Program is a regional initiative designed to recognise and support promising youth-led innovations that address water and climate challenges through practical, community-based solutions. The program places young people at the centre of sustainable development and resilience-building efforts.

What Is the Sustain Champions Awards Program?

The program identifies and amplifies grassroots innovations that strengthen climate and water resilience while promoting inclusion, nature-based solutions, and integrated landscape management. Selected innovators receive financial support, mentorship, and international visibility to help pilot or scale their ideas.

A core feature of the program is storytelling and profiling, showcasing youth champions and their work across SUSTAIN and IUCN communication platforms to inspire wider adoption and support.

Key Objectives of the Awards

The Sustain Champions Awards aim to:

• Empower youth as leaders in climate and water resilience

• Support locally grounded adaptation and mitigation solutions

• Promote inclusive, nature-based and ecosystem approaches

• Amplify diverse voices, especially women and marginalised groups

• Identify innovations with potential for replication or scaling

Types of Innovations Supported

Eligible ideas may be at the idea, pilot, or early implementation stage and should focus on water- and climate-related resilience.

Ecosystem and Catchment-Based Approaches

• Watershed and catchment restoration

• Wetland protection and rehabilitation

• Sustainable land use to reduce erosion and improve infiltration

Indigenous Knowledge and Local Practices

• Customary water management systems

• Indigenous adaptation strategies integrated into local planning

Climate and Disaster Risk Management

• Flood and drought preparedness

• Climate risk awareness and youth advocacy

• Disaster risk reduction linked to water systems

Water Management and Monitoring

• Water quality and quantity monitoring

• Early warning and decision-support systems

• Sustainable irrigation and water storage solutions

Governance and Coordination

• Strengthening water user associations

• Inclusive, transparent local decision-making

• Multi-stakeholder coordination platforms

What Support Do Awardees Receive?

Selected Sustain Champions receive a package of targeted support:

• Financial award: USD $5,000–$7,000 to pilot or scale the innovation

• Visibility: Feature in a Youth Champions spotlight via IUCN and SUSTAIN platforms

• Mentorship: Remote coaching from SUSTAIN technical partners (subject to availability)

• Engagement: Opportunities to join webinars, knowledge exchanges, or in-person landscape events

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria:

• Aged 18–30 years

• Citizen and current resident of Mozambique or Tanzania

• Working on a locally relevant water or climate resilience innovation

• Innovation is not fully commercialised

• Willing to participate in storytelling, monitoring, and learning activities

Eligible Applicant Types

• Individuals

• Small teams of up to three people

• Youth-led start-ups (early-stage only)

Not Eligible

• Established consulting firms

• Fully registered or mature companies

Priority Landscapes and Geographic Focus

Special consideration is given to innovations based in or relevant to:

• Mozambique: Vanduzi and Báruè districts

• Tanzania: Kilombero, Ihemi, and Sembawang landscapes

Innovations from similar agro-ecological contexts may also be considered.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Develop a youth-led innovation focused on water and climate resilience

2. Ensure the idea is at an early, pilot, or testing stage

3. Confirm eligibility based on age, location, and innovation status

4. Submit an application detailing the problem, solution, and impact

5. Participate in follow-up mentoring, storytelling, and monitoring if selected

Why This Program Matters

• Builds local climate resilience in vulnerable landscapes

• Elevates youth leadership in sustainable development

• Encourages inclusive and nature-based solutions

• Supports scalable ideas with real-world impact

• Strengthens long-term water and ecosystem governance

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting fully commercialised or mature business models

• Proposing ideas not clearly linked to water or climate resilience

• Failing to demonstrate youth leadership and local relevance

• Overlooking inclusion of women or marginalised groups

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Sustain Champions Awards Program?
It is a youth-focused awards initiative supporting water and climate resilience innovations in Mozambique and Tanzania.

2. How much funding is available?
Selected awardees receive between $5,000 and $7,000.

3. Who can apply?
Youth aged 18–30 who are citizens and residents of Mozambique or Tanzania.

4. Can teams apply?
Yes, teams of up to three people are eligible.

5. Are commercial businesses eligible?
No. Fully registered companies and consulting firms are not eligible.

6. What stage should the innovation be at?
Idea, pilot, or early implementation stage only.

7. Are specific regions prioritised?
Yes, SUSTAIN landscapes in Mozambique and Tanzania receive priority consideration.

Conclusion

The Sustain Champions Awards Program provides young innovators with the resources, recognition, and support needed to advance locally driven solutions for water and climate resilience. By centring youth leadership, inclusion, and nature-based approaches, the program helps build resilient landscapes and empowers the next generation of sustainability champions in East and Southern Africa.