Y4C’s Call for Solutions is a global innovation challenge for Youth and Youth-led organizations working on climate action-focused projects. The Call aims to fund new and existing youth-led solutions that are ready to implement or scale, and to support the further development of young people’s ideas and projects by providing relevant learning opportunities with the support of partners.
Since 2023, through the first two rounds of its Call for Solutions, Youth4Climate has allocated an envelope of USD 2.5 million in direct funding to 100 youth-led climate projects across 52 countries.
The 2025 Call will fund youth-led solutions in 6 thematic areas:
- Sustainable Energy
- Food and Agriculture
- Climate and Health
- Digital for Planet
- Climate, Peace and Security
- Nature for Climate Action
Background
There are 1.9 billion young people in the world, making up the largest generation in history. Young people are increasingly acknowledged as vital contributors to transformative climate action, playing roles such as negotiators, innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and agents of change. However, they face a significant shortfall in essential technical, financial, and political resources and support needed to fulfil their aspirations.
In response, the Government of Italy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with a range of knowledge partners and youth constituencies, have set out to identify, support and scale youth-led climate breakthroughs through the global Youth4Climate initiative (Y4C)
Youth4Climate has now launched its 3rd annual Call for Solutions, inviting youth and youth-led organizations that are working on innovative climate projects to apply.
Eligibility
- Open to young individuals aged 18 to 29;
- A legally registered, youth-led civil society organization (CSO), non-governmental organization (NGO), community-based organization (CBO), or company with the majority of the organization’s leadership is young people aged 18-29 years at the time of submitting the application. Note that the project lead for the organization should be aged 18 to 29.
- The proposed project must be implemented in one of the countries listed in the Call guidelines.
- The project lead must be a national of one of the countries listed in the Annex of the Call guidelines.
Benefits
Applicants to the Call for Solutions can request up to USD $30,000 in seed funding, and successful applicants will also benefit from the following:
- Connections and visibility at country, regional, and global levels that may enable scaling and growth of their projects.
- Capacity development offers include a mentorship program consisting of group workshops, one-to-one mentorship, and project pitching and feedback opportunities.
Application process
- Step 1: Go to the Call for Solutions 2025 Guideline and template page. If you are not a member of this online platform, you will need to register and create a profile on the Youth4Climate Platform to gain access.
- Step 2:
- Download and read the Guidelines Document carefully. It will tell you everything you need to know about who can apply, the requirements and important deadlines.
- Carefully review the content requested on the application form.
- Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will be disqualified immediately and their application will not be evaluated further.
- Step 3: Download and fill out the Budget and Workplan template. Prepare a 3-minute video pitching your solution using the instructions provided in the Call for Solutions Guidelines. Applicants who do not use the provided templates or do not submit the video will be disqualified.
- Step 4: Complete your proposal via the application platform and attach the templates provided in the space on the form.
- Step 5: Upload your 3-min video and submit your application!
Deadline: May 26, 2025
Click HERE to Apply
