Call for Aplications: the 2025 Youth Ecopreneur Programme for young innovators (seed funding+10,000 USD prize money awarded)
Closing Date: 14 September 2025
Call for Aplications: the 2025 Youth Ecopreneur Programme for young innovators (seed funding+10,000 USD prize money awarded)
Excited about the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO)? This initiative by the Ye! Community/ITC and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD supports young green entrepreneurs (under 35) passionate about land restoration and sustainability. In partnership with WIPO, Sidley, and Google Startups, this program is tailor-made for you. Apply now for YECO 2025!
About the YECO Programme
The Youth Ecopreneur Programme is a global accelerator that powers the green and just transition by investing in young entrepreneurs as catalysts for sustainable development, environmental justice, and climate action advocacy. The project seeks to enhance the competitiveness and scale of youth-led green businesses, with a strong focus on land restoration.
Through a Global Bootcamp, Accelerator, and Youth Ecopreneur Awards, it provides comprehensive support, including training, mentorship, and financial support, to youth-led green businesses. The programme is powered by the ITC and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD in partnership with WIPO, Sidley Austin LLP, and Google Startup for Sustainable Development. The five-year programme is designed as a multi-stakeholder initiative that allows ITC projects and partners to opt-in, leveraging and scaling within the existing structure. The acceleration program onboards new participants every year.
Eligibility Criteria
The YECO Programme is built for youth entrepreneurs under the age of 35 who are founders, co-founders, or CEOs. YECO is looking for passionate innovators with a clear understanding of the environmental challenges they tackle and scalable solutions ready for acceleration.
Applicant must be:
- Must be under the age of 35 (by the application deadline)
- Must be Founder, Co-Founder or CEO
Eligible businesses must be:
- Legally registered and majority-run by a young person
- The bootcamp is open globally, the accelerator is reserved for eligible countries – see the list here
- Focused on Land Restoration or Green Business solutions
YECO Programme Components
The programme consists of a:
- Global Bootcamp to kickstart your journey with dynamic training and e-learning.
- Global Accelerator to get personalized coaching, mentorship, and masterclasses to take your sustainable solutions to the next level.
- Youth Ecopreneur Awards to showcase your solutions on a global stage.
Programme Overview
Global Bootcamp
- Training and masterclasses on investment readiness among other crucial topics, facilitated by business development, legal, and IP experts.
- A unified platform for global exchange and networking within the young entrepreneur cohort, complemented by mentoring from the Ye! Community.
Accelerator
- A bespoke 360 degrees Business Assessment, followed by tailored trainings and coaching for your business.
- Seed Funding for Land Restoration category.
- Access to Investment networks.
Awards
- All-Expenses-Paid Trip to International Conference.
- In-person capacity building.
- Personalized pitch training and coaching.
- Visibility with stakeholders and investors.
- Special prizes from partners.
- Win Youth Ecopreneur Award and get $10,000 USD prize money.
Post Awards
- Participants engage in global networking.
- Coaching and opportunities to attend high-level sustainable events and trade fairs.
- Increased visibility and connections with key stakeholders in green entrepreneurship.
- Integration into the Alumni Community of the programme.
- Access to peer learning, collaboration, and shared experiences from previous cohorts.
Programme Benefits
- Capacity-building for scaling your venture
- Seed Funding (shared pool of $100,000 USD for the land-restoration cohort in total, equity free)
- Access to a Global Network & Exposure
- Mentorship & Coaching
- Legal and IP Guidance
- Preferential access to Pro-Bono Legal Services from Sidley Austin
- Preferential access to the Google StartUp for Sustainable Development Programme
- All-Expenses-Paid Trip to International Conference for Award Finalists
- Win the Youth Ecopreneur Award and get 10,000 USD prize money (1 Award per category)
YECO approach and target stakeholders
Youth-led Green Business Solutions (Ecopreneurs)
- Empower young entrepreneurs to drive sustainable development, environmental justice, and climate action.
- Provide tailored support, mentorship, and funding opportunities.
- Focus on land restoration, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience
Enhancing the Land Restoration Ecosystem
- Strengthen institutional capacities to support land restoration and provide green business opportunities for youth through Business Support Organizations.
- Expand and strengthen the service offering of the young entrepreneur developing green business solutions.
Advocating for a green and just transition
- Showcase green youth-led solutions to tackle the triple planetary crisis in international fora.
- Advocate for an inclusive green and just transition with youth voices.
Click Here To Apply
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