61 Young Volunteers Named Global Green Ambassadors for 2026

Edupro, the UK awarding organisation behind the Global Green Talent Awards (GTA), has published its 2026 cohort of Global Green Ambassadors: 61 volunteers from 23 countries who will champion green skills, sustainability awareness and community climate action in their own schools, institutions and communities.

The ambassador programme is the volunteer arm of the awards. Where the competition asks young teams to solve real sustainability cases, the ambassadors carry the same mission into everyday life — in classrooms, neighbourhoods and local organisations far from any conference hall.

What the Global Green Ambassador Programme does

Green Ambassadors serve as volunteer sustainability leaders. They promote the values, vision and activities of the Green Talent Awards, acting as local and global champions for environmental awareness, green skills development and youth participation in climate-positive initiatives.

Their work is deliberately practical. Ambassadors introduce green skills and sustainability ideas in their school, community or country, encourage students and youth groups to take part in the awards, and run or support small-scale awareness activities, online or offline. They also support the organisers by sharing updates, deadlines and guidelines, and by feeding back insights that strengthen the programme.

An ambassador may represent a country, an institution or a community, or serve as an independent ambassador. The role carries one clear condition: to keep the competition fair, ambassadors cannot compete in GTA 2026 themselves. They act in a non-competing, leadership support role.

The 2026 cohort spans 23 countries

The published 2026 cohort lists 61 ambassadors. The largest groups come from Pakistan and Nigeria, with nine volunteers each, followed by Bangladesh and Ghana with five each, and Kenya and the Philippines with four each. The list also includes volunteers from Mozambique, China, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Türkiye, Nepal, India, the United Kingdom, the Bahamas, Rwanda, Botswana, Somalia, South Africa, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

That spread matters because the programme is built on local action. An ambassador in a village school and one at a city university face different challenges, but both are asked to do the same thing: turn climate awareness into something their neighbours can see and join.

The awards behind the ambassadors

The Global Green Talent Awards 2026 is a competition for young change-makers aged 16 to 32, organised by Edupro in association with the University of Leeds. Participation is completely free. Teams solve real sustainability cases and compete for £1,000 in cash prizes: £500 for the winner, £300 for the first runner-up and £200 for the second runner-up.

The awards say they reach participants across more than 24 countries, with a design target of more than 50 countries, and are supported by more than 15 ambassador institutions from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Ten teams have qualified for the GTA 2026 final round: ATLAS (Pakistan), CARBONZERO (Jordan), CHANGEMAKERS (Bangladesh), ECO NOVA (Malaysia), GREEN BEANS (Malaysia), IMPACT ARCHITECTS (United Arab Emirates), MELIUS FUTURUM (Australia), TARAXA (Algeria), VORTEX (Bangladesh) and WATTTILES (Pakistan).

What ambassadors receive

Ambassadors receive the official title “Green Ambassador 2026” and, on successful completion of their responsibilities, a certificate of contribution. The programme offers global networking with sustainability leaders, academics and educators, innovators and GTA alumni and finalists, and a chance to build skills in leadership, sustainability advocacy, project coordination and community engagement.

High-performing ambassadors may also receive recommendation letters, priority for future Edupro initiatives and visibility in international publications.

Why youth ambassador networks matter ahead of COP31

The cohort takes shape just days before COP31, the UN climate conference opening in Antalya, Türkiye, on 9 November 2026. Negotiations set targets, but it is networks like this one — volunteers in schools, gardens and community halls — that turn targets into habits: planting, sorting waste, saving water and energy, and showing neighbours that climate action is practical rather than abstract.

Similar ambassador programmes are growing elsewhere too, including the Green Life Ambassadors project for young people in Azerbaijan’s Gakh region, which Watan News covered earlier: Green Life Ambassadors project launched for youth in Azerbaijan.

Key facts

• Programme: Edupro Global Green Ambassador Programme, part of the Global Green Talent Awards 2026
• 2026 cohort: 61 volunteers from 23 countries
• Role: volunteer sustainability leaders promoting green skills and community climate action
• Recognition: “Green Ambassador 2026” title and certificate of contribution
• Rule: ambassadors cannot compete in GTA 2026, to keep the competition fair
• The awards: free competition for ages 16–32, organised with the University of Leeds, £1,000 in prizes, 10 final-round teams

Frequently asked questions

What is the Global Green Ambassador Programme?

It is the volunteer programme of Edupro’s Global Green Talent Awards. Ambassadors champion green skills, sustainability awareness and community action in their local and national contexts, supporting the awards without competing in them.

Who can become a Green Ambassador?

The programme is open to motivated individuals who want to lead on sustainability in their community. An ambassador may represent a country, an institution or a community, or serve independently.

What do ambassadors receive?

The official title “Green Ambassador 2026”, a certificate of contribution on successful completion, global networking opportunities, and experience in leadership, advocacy, project coordination and communication. High performers may receive recommendation letters and priority for future Edupro initiatives.

Can an ambassador also compete in GTA 2026?

No. To maintain fairness and neutrality, Green Ambassadors cannot participate as competitors in GTA 2026; they act in a non-competing, leadership support role.

What is the Global Green Talent Awards 2026?

A free competition for young change-makers aged 16 to 32, organised by Edupro in association with the University of Leeds, with £1,000 in cash prizes. Ten teams have qualified for its final round, from countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Jordan, Algeria, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

Sources: Edupro’s official Global Green Talent Awards pages; University of Leeds Business School; FAU student union notice on GTA 2026.