BECOME AN ECO CHAMPION!

Apply now!

 

 

About Eco Champions

 

Eco-Champions empowers young climate activists from difficult backgrounds, especially women and girls.

Through spark funding, training, mentorship and connection to a powerful community, the programme helps them grow as leaders and turn their ideas into impactful projects for sustainable climate action.

The programme will run from July 2026 to September 2027 in 8 countries: Brazil, Germany, Jordan, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Uganda.

Who can apply?


We truly encourage you to apply if you:

  • Started an idea or initiative to address a climate-related issue in your community, like water scarcity, energy access, urban challenges, overconsumption or environmental degradation. Don’t worry if your idea isn’t perfect — we care about your passion, potential, and willingness to learn.
  • Are 16-26 years old.
  • Live in Brazil, Germany, Jordan, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia or Uganda.
  • Can communicate in English - at least intermediate level.
  • Have experienced challenges in your life and shown resilience.
  • Can commit around 10 hours per month between June 2026 and September 2027.

Why join? 

As an Eco Champion, you will: 

  • Join a powerful community: meet young changemakers like you, grow your network and connect with inspiring climate leaders.
  • Gain the skills and confidence to turn your ideas into action and lead innitiatives. How to pitch your idea? How to work with volunteers? How to drive change? In physical and virtual training sessions as well as through your individual mentoring programme, you will gain lots of practical skills and grow as a leader. 
  • Get spark funding: build your sparkfunding plan and receive a mini grant to strengthen your initiative. 
  • Travel and speak up locally and globally: access opportunities to travel to amplify your voice at global or national summits and events, like the Eco Champions summit in Nigeria on 21-25 September.

Selection process

We aim to keep the process fair, transparent, and supportive.

 

  1. Apply by 20 May 2026 through the online form.
     
  2. We will review all applications carefully based on: 
  • Your story and motivation.
  • The relevance and originality of your idea.
  • First steps or actions you’ve already taken.

3. If shortlisted, you will be invited to a friendly online interview (8-16 June).

4. Final participants will be informed by 30 June 2026. 

Do you have any questions?

Check out the FAQ below!

 

We’re looking for ideas that address climate challenges in your community, on topics such as water, energy, cities, consumption, nature, or climate action. Your idea can be a project, product, initiative, small business, or campaign. 

Yes. Your idea should clearly connect to climate action (focus on one of the following SDGs: SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land.

No. Your idea can be technological or non-technological. What matters most is its relevance and impact on climate action.

Absolutely. Interdisciplinary ideas (e.g., climate and health) are welcome, as long as the climate link is clear.

No. You can apply with just an idea or with an existing initiative. The program supports different stages of development.

You can start anytime. However, it is not required before being shortlisted.

No — young people of all genders can apply.

We strongly encourage applications from young women and girls, and we aim for at least 60% female participants. We also prioritise marginalised youth (such as ethnic minorities), as they often face more barriers to accessing opportunities.

You must meet the age criteria at the time of application (16 to 26 years old). If you are still within the eligible age range when applying, you can apply.

No. What matters most is your motivation, commitment and willingness to learn. 

You should be able to understand and communicate in English at an intermediate level. You don’t need to be perfect — just comfortable enough to join discussions and trainings. 

Yes — you should definitely apply. You don’t need to have everything figured out. If you’re motivated and want to create change, this programme is for you. 

Eco Champions supports participants with training, mentorship, and tools to design impactful initiatives that can influence communities over time. We have monitoring and evaluation experts that measure the change and a results framework we base our work on.

Yes — there is no cost to participate. Selected participants will also receive spark funding to support their initiative. 

Parts of the group will be invited to travel to the Summit to Nigeria. The rest of the group will join sessions online. If you are selected to travel to this opportunity, we will support you with the necessary arrangements. If you do not make it to Nigeria, there will be other events and conferences you will be able to join.