Exchange Programs
International exchanges, field schools, study tours, and cross-cultural environmental learning.
Opportunities
Youth Ambassadors Program (Focus on Environmental & Community Action) 🌏
Fully funded by the U.S. Department of State, this international exchange program brings high school students (ages 15–18) and adult mentors together for 2- to 3-week immersive exchange trips across the Americas. The program emphasizes leadership, civic engagement, and social action, with several cohorts dedicated specifically to climate change resilience, conservation, and environmental action. Participants engage in hands-on community projects, workshops, and homestays before returning home to implement local environmental initiatives.
Compare programs by topic, location, cost, eligibility, and outcomes.
Designed as a focused GreenNeXus action path with clear next steps.
Designed as a focused GreenNeXus action path with clear next steps.
Designed as a focused GreenNeXus action path with clear next steps.
Designed as a focused GreenNeXus action path with clear next steps.
Soliya Global Youth Virtual Exchange
The Soliya Connect Program is a free, global virtual exchange initiative designed to bring young people ages 15–18 together across different cultures, languages, and geographic regions. Conducted entirely online in small, facilitated dialogue groups, the program enables high school participants to engage in cross-cultural conversations about global challenges, human rights, civic engagement, and social leadership.
Participants meet weekly in live, interactive video sessions guided by trained global facilitators to share perspectives and build cross-cultural empathy. Upon successfully completing the exchange curriculum, students earn a recognized Certificate of Global Competence and join Soliya’s international alumni network of young global leaders.
The Experiment Digital Virtual Leadership & STEM Exchange
The Experiment Digital is a fully funded, 8-week virtual exchange program designed to connect high school students globally. Through interactive modules, group discussions, and peer collaboration, participants delve into critical global issues such as youth leadership, civic engagement, community service, and environmental sustainability.
Students work in small, cross-cultural peer groups to design and launch a local action project addressing a real-world community challenge. Upon successful completion of the exchange, participants receive a $400 project grant to implement their initiative, alongside access to global alumni leadership networks and continuous mentorship.
AFS Global STEM Virtual Exchange
The AFS Global STEM Accelerators and Changemakers program is a full-scholarship global virtual exchange designed for high school students ages 15–17. Co-developed with the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Social Impact Strategy, the curriculum engages young leaders in interactive online modules focused on sustainability, climate change, renewable energy, and social innovation.
facilitated online sessions with peers from around the world to design practical solutions for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Upon completing the program, students present their social impact project, earn an official Global Competence Certificate, and join a worldwide alumni network of young changemakers.
Global Online Training & Advocacy
UNDP Youth for Climate Action Online Learning Program
The Youth for Climate Action E-learning program is a free, open-access course developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Eco House Global. Hosted on UNDP's Learning for Nature platform, the course introduces participants to climate science fundamentals, mitigation strategies, adaptation, international climate governance, and civil society advocacy. Participants complete five self-paced modules equipped with practical advocacy tools and policy analysis skills. Upon passing the module quizzes and completing the requirements, students earn an official UN-backed certificate of completion to support their work as emerging climate leaders.
The Youth for Climate Action E-learning program is a free, open-access course developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Eco House Global. Hosted on UNDP's Learning for Nature platform, the course introduces participants to climate science fundamentals, mitigation strategies, adaptation, international climate governance, and civil society advocacy. Participants complete five self-paced modules equipped with practical advocacy tools and policy analysis skills. Upon passing the module quizzes and completing the requirements, students earn an official UN-backed certificate of completion to support their work as emerging climate leaders.
Global Advocacy & Policy Capacity Building
Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) Capacity Building & Youth Delegate Program
The Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) is the official youth constituency recognized under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). GYBN connects youth-led organizations and individuals globally to mobilize action against biodiversity loss and represent young voices in global environmental policymaking. Participants join online training sessions, interactive capacity-building workshops, and regional activism networks. Youth advocates gain skills in biodiversity policy, direct conservation action, and international governance, with opportunities to participate as youth delegates at international UN biodiversity conferences.
The Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) is the official youth constituency recognized under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). GYBN connects youth-led organizations and individuals globally to mobilize action against biodiversity loss and represent young voices in global environmental policymaking. Participants join online training sessions, interactive capacity-building workshops, and regional activism networks. Youth advocates gain skills in biodiversity policy, direct conservation action, and international governance, with opportunities to participate as youth delegates at international UN biodiversity conferences.
Global Youth Environmental Leadership & Action Training
Planeteer Alliance Global Youth Leadership Network
Operated by the Captain Planet Foundation, the Planeteer Alliance is a global movement of young climate activists and changemakers ages 10 to 25. The initiative equips youth with the campaign planning skills, training modules, and peer networks necessary to design and launch local environmental projects. Participants take part in virtual training cohorts, regional leadership workshops, and international campaigns focused on climate justice, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration. Planeteer Alliance campaigns also gain access to micro-grant funding opportunities and mentorship from global environmental experts to help scale their local environmental impact.
Operated by the Captain Planet Foundation, the Planeteer Alliance is a global movement of young climate activists and changemakers ages 10 to 25. The initiative equips youth with the campaign planning skills, training modules, and peer networks necessary to design and launch local environmental projects. Participants take part in virtual training cohorts, regional leadership workshops, and international campaigns focused on climate justice, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration. Planeteer Alliance campaigns also gain access to micro-grant funding opportunities and mentorship from global environmental experts to help scale their local environmental impact.
Global Youth Environmental Leadership & Project Cohorts
Earth Champions Foundation Youth Network
The Earth Champions Foundation is a global initiative dedicated to identifying, supporting, and networking young environmental leaders and community changemakers worldwide. The program provides young people ages 13–18 with structured mentorship, leadership development resources, and access to an international cohort of youth environmental advocates. Participants engage in virtual capacity-building workshops, share sustainable solutions across global peer networks, and receive expert guidance to scale local environmental projects. Members gain access to global storytelling platforms, project toolkits, and ongoing collaborative opportunities.
The Earth Champions Foundation is a global initiative dedicated to identifying, supporting, and networking young environmental leaders and community changemakers worldwide. The program provides young people ages 13–18 with structured mentorship, leadership development resources, and access to an international cohort of youth environmental advocates. Participants engage in virtual capacity-building workshops, share sustainable solutions across global peer networks, and receive expert guidance to scale local environmental projects. Members gain access to global storytelling platforms, project toolkits, and ongoing collaborative opportunities.
High Schoolers (Ages 14–18)
EarthCorps Global Youth Leadership Cohort
EarthCorps offers youth leadership and environmental restoration programs specifically structured for high school students. The initiative connects young environmental leaders globally through virtual learning modules, hands-on local conservation project blueprints, and community action workshops. Participants develop skills in ecological restoration, climate resilience planning, and community organizing. High school students receive step-by-step toolkits to launch local environmental stewardship events, access global youth network discussions, and receive guidance from conservation professionals.
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