Conferences & Competitions
Events where students can present ideas, compete, and meet environmental mentors.
Opportunities
International Youth Environmental Challenge 🌱
The International Youth Environmental Challenge (IYEC) is a global, free online competition empowering youth aged 18 and under to address climate and conservation issues. Participants worldwide showcase innovative environmental projects—via writing, video, or creative media—to connect with global peers, gain recognition, and drive local green solutions.
18 and under (High school age)
18 and under (High school age)
The Competition for Youth-Led Projects 🌍
The Competition for Youth-Led Projects, organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Global Water Partnership, empowers youth to design practical community solutions for flood and drought resilience. Winners receive project funding grants and professional mentorship to implement local climate adaptation strategies. here.
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The Earth Prize
The Earth Prize is the world’s largest environmental sustainability competition for students aged 13 to 19. It empowers teenagers worldwide—participating individually or in teams—to develop creative, impactful solutions to real-world ecological challenges, offering expert mentorship and substantial funding prizes to bring their innovative green ideas to life.
Application open: Currently Open (for the upcoming cycle) Deadline: January/February
The Slingshot Challenge 🍁
Created by the National Geographic Society, this global competition invites youth aged 13 to 18 to share their ideas for protecting and restoring the planet. Participants create and submit a concise 1-minute video detailing a solution to an environmental issue across categories like restoring nature, cleaning the air, or addressing climate change. Winning projects can receive up to $10,000 in funding to help bring their idea to life.
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Climate Science Olympiad 👩🏿🔬
A global, 100% free-to-enter online competition for students ages 12–25 (with a specific division for high schoolers under 16 and ages 16–19). Participants can compete individually or in pairs to solve real-world climate problems through structured problem-solving rounds, essays, and proposals. It features a $15,000+ prize pool, fully virtual stages, and recognition for top global qualifiers.
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Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2026 👨🔬
An international science competition for students aged 13–18. Participants create a two-minute video explaining an important concept in physics, mathematics, or life sciences. It is open to students from around the world and submissions are in English.
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🌊 Brilliant Blue Global Competition 2026
An international competition for students aged 12–18 to develop innovative solutions to ocean challenges. Teams can work on marine renewable energy, autonomous marine systems, or healthy marine life. The global competition takes place October 16–18, 2026.
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🌍 WAW Global Sustainability Competition 2026
An international competition for students worldwide to explore “Environmental Sustainability in the Age of AI.” Participants can enter individually or in teams through research/proposals, visual art/photography, or written work. No entry fee is listed for 2026.
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International Competition “Ecoview” 2026
The International Competition “Ecoview” invites students aged 14–18 to explore ecological and geographical topics through original research projects. Participants investigate environmental issues and use satellite imagery and remote-sensing data to support their research.
The competition is held online and brings together young researchers from around the world. Participants can develop their projects with guidance on working with satellite imagery and present their research during the final stage. Registration is open until October 31, 2026.
Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) Competition
Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is an international program run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that empowers youth ages 11–25 to investigate local environmental issues and propose solutions through investigative journalism, photojournalism, and video production.
Participants produce articles, photo stories, or short video reports detailing environmental challenges and sustainability actions in their local communities. Winners receive international recognition, featured publication on global FEE platforms, and official certificates.
EarthEcho Water Challenge & Global Eco-Events
The EarthEcho Water Challenge is an international, year-round program led by EarthEcho International that equips young people to monitor local water bodies, share environmental data on an open global platform, and protect aquatic ecosystems.
Participants gain free access to water-testing toolkits, virtual educational workshops, and youth leadership summits. By joining, students build practical scientific research skills while contributing to real-world global water conservation datasets.
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest is an international online platform that invites students ages 11–18 to explore environmental issues through creative arts. Participants create original entries in visual art, creative writing, film, music, or interactive media focused on ocean protection and climate awareness.
Participants gain global exposure for their creative work and compete for cash awards up to $1,000. Every student receives access to educational resources on marine science and guidance on leveraging art for environmental advocacy.
Stockholm Junior Water Prize
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an international competition that encourages high school students ages 15–20 to tackle urgent water and environmental challenges. Participants conduct independent research projects focused on water quality improvement, marine conservation, wastewater treatment, or global water scarcity.
National winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, to present their research at World Water Week. The international winner receives a $15,000 cash award, a crystal trophy, and global recognition from international water and environmental scientists.
The Young Climate Prize
The Young Climate Prize is an international program hosted by The World Around that recognizes and supports young people ages 13–18 who are leading environmental and climate action projects. The competition focuses on design-led, community-based solutions, storytelling, and practical initiatives that tackle climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Selected applicants are paired with world-class mentors from global architecture, design, and science institutions. Mentors guide participants through specialized workshops to develop, scale, and present their local climate solutions to an international audience.
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit & Action Grants
The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit (YOCS) empowers young people ages 13–18 to launch their own community-based marine conservation projects. Through virtual workshops, interactive planning sessions, and expert panels, participants learn how to design, fund, and manage local ocean protection initiatives.
Attendees gain access to dedicated project development toolkits, mentorship from marine scientists, and the opportunity to apply for seed micro-grants to finance their local conservation campaigns. Completing the summit connects students with a global network of youth ocean advocates and provides practical leadership experience.
Earth Partner Prize 2026
The Earth Partner Prize invites young creatives aged 14–30 from around the world to submit original work responding to the ecological crisis. Submissions can take many forms, including photography, film, spoken word, music, dance, fashion, new media, app development, and social media projects.
Participants are encouraged to explore themes such as climate justice, wildlife and ecosystem conservation, grassroots activism, regeneration, and the impacts of the climate crisis. Eight finalists will receive cash prizes, while 20 additional creatives will receive honourable mentions. The submission deadline is October 7, 2026, at 23:59 CEST.
Global Youth Innovation & Agri-Food Summit
World Food Forum (WFF) Global Youth Innovation Challenge
Launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the World Food Forum (WFF) is an independent, global network of youth dedicated to transforming agri-food systems. The program hosts annual global youth competitions, policy tracks, and innovation challenges aimed at addressing food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Participants ages 13–18 can present their innovative technology, policy, or educational solutions to an international panel of experts. Selected youth finalists gain global exposure, mentorship from industry leaders, and invitations to participate in the flagship summit in Rome, Italy, or virtually worldwide.
Launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the World Food Forum (WFF) is an independent, global network of youth dedicated to transforming agri-food systems. The program hosts annual global youth competitions, policy tracks, and innovation challenges aimed at addressing food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Participants ages 13–18 can present their innovative technology, policy, or educational solutions to an international panel of experts. Selected youth finalists gain global exposure, mentorship from industry leaders, and invitations to participate in the flagship summit in Rome, Italy, or virtually worldwide.
High Schoolers (Grades 9–12 / Ages 14–18)
World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest
Organized by Population Education, the World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest challenges high school students globally to create a 60-second video addressing pressing global sustainability challenges. Focus topics include sustainable agriculture, ocean health, climate resilience, and resource conservation. Participants must analyze how global population growth connects to their chosen environmental topic and present a concrete, viable solution. Winners receive cash prizes up to $1,200, international recognition, and publication of their advocacy videos across global youth networks.
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