Overview
Become a Young Champion! If you believe in a bright future for our planet, then you just might have what it takes to become a Young Champion of the Earth
Details
What makes a Young Champion of the Earth?
Our environment is under stress and the evidence is everywhere. It’s in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. It’s in our soils, rivers, oceans, and atmosphere. Some call it the defining challenge of our time.
The question is: What are you doing about it? Now more than ever, those of us who care for the natural world must stand up and be counted. Whether you’re an activist, educator, innovator or artist, we need you to challenge the status quo and fight for the health of our planet and its people.
If you have a powerful idea to protect or restore the environment; if you have a strong track record of instigating change; if you are unafraid of failure; and if you believe in a bright future for our planet, then you just might have what it takes to become a Young Champion of the Earth.
A total of 30 Regional Finalists—five per world region—will be selected and notified by mid-July.
The winners will be expected to implement their big ideas and provide progress updates in the form of videos and blogs that will be shared on the Young Champions website.
If you are selected as a Young Champion of the Earth, you will be required to spend
- one week in Kenya in late November to early December 2017;
- one week in Germany in the first quarter of 2018;
- and a few days in the United States in September 2018.
All travel expenses will be covered by UN Environment and Covestro. All winners must already have a valid passport.
Mentorship
More than just a prize-giving scheme, Young Champions of the Earth aims to nurture the next generation of environmental leaders. Through our networks and partnerships, we connect Young Champions with business leaders, scientific innovators, national-level policymakers, and United Nations experts, among many other communities.
In making these connections, we help young people with extraordinary potential put their big ideas into action. We also increase their potential to do amazing things throughout their lives.
Our corporate partner, Covestro, is a key source of both mentorship and hands-on project assistance. The company’s 16,000 global staff members stand ready to support the 30 Young Champions finalists on topics ranging from project planning to budgeting to the innovation process itself.
Additionally, six Young Champions winners will receive intensive, tailored training designed to help them kickstart their environmental ambitions. This will involve a week-long entrepreneurship “bootcamp” in Europe in the first quarter of 2018. The week will include an insiders’ tour of Covestro’s innovation labs and visits to other hotspots of European innovation.
Winners will be introduced to high-level policymakers and UN experts at the Champions of the Earth Gala Dinner in Nairobi in December 2017.
The winners’ visit to Nairobi will include meetings with noteworthy environmental changemakers and tours of groundbreaking environmental startups. We will also connect Young Champions winners with high-profile mentors who are eager to support them in their journeys.
