25 Youth-Led Climate Groups Win $1 Million Each in Global Emerging Climate Champions Award

25 youth-led groups share $25 million for local climate solutions

Twenty-five youth-led organisations working in 33 countries have each won a flexible, multi-year gift of $1 million under the Youth Climate Champions Award, the organisers announced on 21 October 2026 in Chicago. The Youth Climate Champions Award is a $25 million global open call funded by the Enlight Foundation and The Patchwork Collective and managed by Lever for Change.

Each organisation will receive its $1 million gift over one to five years, giving young leaders room to plan beyond a single project cycle. The organisers say every awardee has already demonstrated measurable results in its own community, and that the money is meant to scale work that is already delivering environmental, economic and social benefits.

Who the Youth Climate Champions Award supports

To qualify as youth-led, each organisation had to satisfy at least two of three youth leadership criteria, with leaders aged 15 to 35. Applicants also needed at least two years of operation, a community-led approach and a record of durable climate solutions.

The open call drew applications from youth-led organisations based in 108 countries. The 25 winners span all global regions and work across conservation and biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and resource management, renewable energy, movement building, and policy and advocacy. The cohort also includes initiatives led by Indigenous peoples and women, groups the organisers say are traditionally excluded from traditional funding pathways.

How the winners were chosen

Applications passed through administrative screening, a participatory review in which applicants scored and gave feedback on each other’s proposals, and an external evaluation panel of experts in climate-related fields and philanthropy. A final round of due diligence followed before the Enlight Foundation, The Patchwork Collective and Lever for Change confirmed the winners.

The award was launched on 26 June 2025, after consultation with young climate leaders around the world about how funding should be structured. The organisers say the design reflects youth perspectives and local cultural contexts rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

Why youth-led funding matters

Lever for Change notes that global annual funding for climate work represents less than 2 percent of total philanthropic giving, or about $16 billion, while support for youth-led climate initiatives amounts to just $14.2 million in annual grants. The award is designed to close part of that gap by trusting young, local leaders with flexible money.

“Real, lasting climate solutions happen when we don’t just give young people a seat at the table, but hand them the mic as leaders and innovators,” said Xin Liu, Founder and President of Enlight Foundation. “These awardees are showing us what is possible, and we are honored to celebrate the meaningful impact they are creating in communities around the world.”

“Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, but these awardees remind us that some of the most promising solutions are already taking shape in local communities,” said Cedric Dageville, Principal at The Patchwork Collective.

One winner: Agrointroductions Ghana

Among the winners is Agrointroductions Ghana, an environmental organisation established in 2014 that works on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions through science-based, community-centred projects. Its chief executive, Abdullah Hamza, said lasting climate action is sustained by people with daily lived experience of its impacts, and that the recognition reinforces the belief that supported community organisations can drive meaningful climate action.

All 25 awardees, along with a cohort of additional top-ranking organisations from the open call, have joined Lever for Change’s Bold Solutions Network, a curated network of vetted organisations that can attract additional funding and expand their impact.

“The organizations recognized through the Emerging Climate Champions Award demonstrate what is possible when young, local leaders have the resources and trust to drive solutions tailored to their communities,” said Kristen J. Molyneaux, President and Co-founder of Lever for Change.

The announcement comes weeks ahead of the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November, where youth participation in climate policymaking is again expected to be in focus. For more climate coverage, see the Climate section.

Key facts

• Award: Emerging Climate Champions Award, announced 21 October 2026 in Chicago
• Funders and manager: Enlight Foundation and The Patchwork Collective fund the award; Lever for Change manages it
• Prize: $1 million flexible, multi-year gift per organisation; $25 million in total
• Winners: 25 youth-led organisations working in 33 countries; applications came from 108 countries
• Youth-led definition: leaders aged 15 to 35, meeting at least two of three leadership criteria
• Next step: awardees join Lever for Change’s Bold Solutions Network for further funding opportunities

Frequently asked questions

What is the Youth Climate Champions Award?

It is the Emerging Climate Champions Award, a $25 million global open call that gives 25 youth-led organisations $1 million each in flexible, multi-year funding to advance climate solutions in their communities.

Who funded and managed the award?

The Enlight Foundation and The Patchwork Collective funded the award, and Lever for Change, a nonprofit that connects donors with bold solutions, managed the open call.

What counts as a youth-led organisation?

An organisation whose leaders are aged 15 to 35 and which satisfies at least two of the programme’s three youth leadership criteria, with at least two years of operation and a community-led approach.

How were the 25 winners selected?

Through administrative screening, a participatory review in which applicants assessed each other’s proposals, an external expert evaluation panel, and a final due diligence round.

What happens to the winners now?

Each winner receives its $1 million gift over one to five years, and all 25 join Lever for Change’s Bold Solutions Network, which can help them secure additional funding and expand their impact.