[December 2025]
Accessing the right funding can be a key challenge for young changemakers. We have curated a listing of 30+ funding opportunities designed to empower youth working on environmental solutions.
Nominations open for Innovation Award 2026
Deadline: 15-Feb-2026
The FAO Award for Innovation recognises groundbreaking innovations across agrifood systems that enhance food security, economic development, environmental sustainability, and resilience. Open to FAO Members, organizations, and individuals, the award evaluates innovations based on impact, scalability, accessibility, sustainability, and inclusivity, particularly for youth, women, and marginalized groups. Winners receive a scroll describing their achievements and a USD 10,000 cash prize…[more]
Open Call: World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest 2026
Deadline: 01-Feb-2026
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is hosting the 2026 World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest for young artists aged 4–18. This year’s theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” encourages participants to showcase wildlife alongside plants, highlighting their role in ecosystems. Winning artworks will be showcased at the World Wildlife Day event on March 3, 2026, promoting global awareness of plant and wildlife conservation…[more]
Open Call: Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge
Deadline: 25-Jan-2026
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge is a global competition for graduate students to design innovative financial solutions addressing pressing social and environmental issues. Participants develop investment strategies that balance measurable impact with commercial viability, guided by mentorship, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. Top teams compete for awards up to $10,000 and present their proposals to industry leaders in London…[more]
Request for Proposals: Student Mini Grant Program
Deadline: 15-Jan-2026
The Algalita Marine Research and Education Student Mini Grant Program provides $500 grants to support youth-led projects addressing the root causes of plastic pollution. Open to students aged 11–25, the program funds creative, community-based solutions and includes mentorship, required learning modules, and advisor support. Ten students will be selected for the 2025–2026 cycle…[more]
Submissions open for International Young Eco-Hero Awards
Deadline: 28-Feb-2026
The 2026 International Young Eco-Hero Awards recognize environmental activists aged 8–16 who initiate meaningful, action-based projects that protect and preserve the natural world. Winners receive up to $1,000, a certificate, public recognition, and access to the Eco-Hero Alumni network. Applications must demonstrate originality, measurable impact, and long-term dedication to environmental work…[more]
Nominations open for the Win Win Gothenburg Sustainability Award 2026
Deadline: 11-Jan-2026
The Win Win Gothenburg Sustainability Award is accepting nominations for its 2026 theme, Gender-Equal Societies, celebrating completed sustainability achievements that advance gender equality worldwide. Two award categories offer significant recognition and prizes, including a 1,000,000 SEK main award and a 50,000 SEK youth award for changemakers aged 13–29. Nominations are open until 11 January 2026, with finalists announced in March and winners in April…[more]
Diamond Challenge 2026: Global Entrepreneurship Competition for High School Students
Deadline: 15-Jan-2026
The Diamond Challenge 2026, organized by Horn Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware, invites high school students aged 14-18 from any country to develop and submit original business or social venture concepts, providing a platform to transform their ideas into real-world solutions and compete for a $100K prize pool…[more]
Call for Entries: The Slingshot Challenge
Deadline: 06-Feb-2026
The National Geographic Society has announced its Slingshot Challenge to address pressing environmental issues through creativity and action…[more]
CFPs: Digital Rights Fund in the West Asia and North Africa
Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The Digital Rights Fund by SMEX supports projects advancing digital rights, freedom of expression, and civic space across the WANA region. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for initiatives addressing surveillance, algorithmic bias, AI militarization, digital labor, infrastructure, and other issues that intersect with digital rights, prioritizing innovative, community-focused, and rights-based approaches…[more]
Funding available for CSOs as Actors of Good Governance and Development in Sierra Leone
Deadline: 10-Feb-2026
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to strengthen Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Sierra Leone, with a strong focus on good governance, youth and women’s leadership, and environmental sustainability. With a total budget of €4.7 million, the programme supports plastic waste management, organic waste value chains, and youth participation in EU development cooperation…[more]
Open Call for Co-BRANDING and Coordinated Marketing of Cultural and Creative Sector
Deadline: 16-Feb-2026
UNESCO, the British Council, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) are inviting applications for the Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans (CC4WBs) grant. The program supports co-branding and coordinated marketing initiatives in the cultural and creative sectors, aiming to enhance skills, financial access, and regional collaboration. Funding is available up to €10,000 per project for initiatives lasting 1–5 months, ending no later than September 30, 2026…[more]
Second Call of Sustain Champion Awards Program in Tanzania and Mozambique
Deadline: 16-Jan-2026
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…[more]
CFPs: Second Call for PhD Research Grant Program
Deadline: 06-Jan-2026
The ReCIPE Programme’s second Call for PhD Research Grants offers up to £15,000 to support doctoral research examining the links between economic performance, public policy, and conflict. The call prioritises policy-relevant, multidisciplinary research aligned with peacebuilding and development challenges in low- and middle-income countries…[more]
Open Call: Prosperous Future Grant Programme
Deadline: 30-Jan-2026
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Prosperous Future Grant Programme 2026 supports civil society cooperation in the Nordic-Baltic region, funding projects that advance sustainability, democratic development, innovation, and cultural exchange. Grants range from EUR 45,000 to EUR 65,000 and require collaboration between at least three eligible countries, with strong attention to environmental, social, and gender considerations. The program encourages knowledge exchange, regional integration, and the mainstreaming of cross-cutting perspectives aligned with Vision 2030…[more]
Youth Climate Changemakers Fund for Youth Organisations
Deadline: 26-Jan-2026
The Youth Climate Changemakers Fund, launched by Funding Fairer Futures, supports youth-led organizations across the EU to build inclusive, diverse and community-driven climate justice initiatives. With grants ranging from €1,000 to €38,000, the program funds awareness, advocacy, mobilisation and capacity-building projects that strengthen youth leadership in climate action. Grantees also receive training, organisational development support and opportunities for collaboration across Europe…[more]
Applications open for AFS Global STEM Academies Program
Deadline: 15-Jan-2026
The AFS Global STEM Academies Program offers youth aged 15–17.5 a blended virtual and international experience focused on STEM, sustainability, and global competence. Participants complete a 12-week online curriculum followed by a four-week study abroad in Brazil, China, Egypt, or India, with full scholarships covering most program costs…[more]
Call for Submissions: ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships
Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships offers students from India, Singapore, Australia, Brunei, and select Pacific Island Countries (Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji) fully-funded research stints in a Swiss laboratory of their choosing…[more]
NEF Commemorative Grant Fund Young Scientists Programme
Deadline: 30-Jan-2026
The Nagao Natural Environment Foundation is inviting applications for its NEF Commemorative Grant Fund Young Scientists Programme to help young scientists in the Asia-Pacific developing countries grow up as world-class scientists in the fields of conservation of wildlife and ecosystem in the region…[more]
Applications open for the Nordic Arctic Programme 2025
Deadline: 15-Feb-26
The Nordic Institute in Greenland is accepting applications for the Nordic Arctic Programme to maintain and secure citizens, stability, growth, and prosperity in the Arctic…[more]
Grants to Engage Youth in Co-Developing a School Carbon Calculator (Nepal)
Deadline: 04-Jan-2026
UNESCO Nepal is inviting proposals to support the co-design and development of a Carbon Footprint Calculator for schools, engaging youth in climate-smart education initiatives. The project aims to increase carbon literacy among students, align with Nepal’s Green School Standards, and award up to NPR 130,000 to advance the winning concept from idea to pilot-ready tool…[more]
Call for Proposals: Strengthen Food and Nutritional Security under the SYSALIM Project (Mauritania)
Deadline: 09-Feb-2026
The SYSALIM project, implemented by Enabel and funded by the European Union, invites proposals to strengthen sustainable and inclusive food systems in Mauritania. With a total budget of €2,000,000, the call supports actions in high-value value chains such as milk, cereals, and market garden produce, aiming to improve nutrition, rural incomes, and climate-adapted food systems. Eligible applicants are Mauritanian non-profit organizations with proven experience in grant management and capacity building for agropastoral cooperatives…[more]
Submissions open for Waste Innovation Challenge (South Africa)
Deadline: 27-Jan-2026
The Waste Innovation Challenge is a South Africa–focused innovation and entrepreneurship programme for university students and alumni aged 18–35, aimed at developing sustainable, commercially viable waste management solutions. The programme empowers 400 participants through training, mentorship, and business development support, with top innovators competing for a shared prize pool of R255,000…[more]
Call for Proposals: TVET in the Energy and Water Sectors in Mozambique
Deadline: 27-Jan-2026
The Enable program in Mozambique is accepting applications to enhance youth and women’s skills in decentralized energy and water services through high-quality, inclusive TVET programs. Grants range from €60,000 to €230,000 depending on sector focus, with projects designed to boost employability, entrepreneurship, and green job creation. The initiative emphasizes work-based learning, private sector collaboration, and long-term impact…[more]
CFPs: Multisectoral Response to Improve Libya’s Most Vulnerable Population
Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) is offering grants to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations in Libya, with a focus on Sudanese refugees and host communities. The initiative supports health, education, WASH, protection, and explosive ordnance prevention programs, prioritizing local CSOs with strong operational capacity. Projects can run up to 18 months, with funding up to EUR 1.6 million, and require coordination with local authorities or the Italian Embassy…[more]
Funding available for Visual Arts, Architecture, Photography and Design Activities 2026 (Greece)
Deadline: 20-Jan-2026
The Greek Ministry of Culture invites applications for its 2026 grant program supporting visual arts, architecture, photography, and design. The initiative funds innovative projects that promote contemporary artistic creation, support young artists, enhance cultural participation, and strengthen Greece’s creative economy and international cultural presence…[more]
CFPs: International Centre for Theoretical Sciences Program (India)
Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS) invites faculty-led proposals for collaborative programs and training activities in physical and mathematical sciences, computational sciences, theoretical computer science, and complex systems. The ICTS Program emphasizes education, mentorship, and human resource development rather than conference-style events…[more]
Open Call: E-Team Program Grant for Student Innovators (US)
Deadline: 27-Jan-2026
The E-Team Program by VentureWell empowers student ventures with up to $25,000 in non-dilutive funding, mentorship, entrepreneurship training, and national recognition to advance innovations addressing pressing social, health, or environmental challenges. Teams of students and a faculty advisor receive resources to explore commercialization, strengthen ventures, and access a network of mentors, investors, and strategic partners. The program prioritizes scalable, science– and engineering-based inventions with strong potential for impact…[more]
Call for Applications: Youth Week Fund (New Zealand)
Deadline: 08-Mar-2026
The Whangārei District Council Youth Week Fund supports rangatahi and tamariki aged 12–24 to organise community events or projects celebrating Youth Week. The fund provides up to $20,000 for general activities and up to $100,000 for facilities development, with a focus on arts, culture, recreation, environment, and community wellbeing. Applications are open year-round with an eight-week decision timeline…[more]
Entries open for Ingenious+ Youth Innovation Challenge in Canada
Deadline: 23-Jan-2026
Ingenious+ is a Canadian youth innovation program that supports young people aged 14–18 who are developing ideas to improve communities, protect the environment, advance equity, or enhance well-being. The program offers funding, mentorship, and learning opportunities, with awards ranging from $1,000 regional grants to $10,000 national prizes across five impact categories…[more]
Request for Proposals: Community Grant Program (Australia)
Deadline: 17-Jun-2026
The Hinchinbrook Shire Council Community Grant Program supports community-led projects and events that enhance cultural, sporting, educational, and economic capacity within the Shire. Funding is available across five streams, ranging from $250 for individual youth achievements up to $12,000 for community and economic development projects, encouraging social inclusion, collaboration, and sustainable outcomes…[more]
Call for Applications: “People and Places” Medium Grant Program (UK)
Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
The National Lottery Community Fund is seeking applications for its People and Places: Medium Grant Program to fund projects that work closely with people and communities in Wales…[more]
