Emerging Climate Champions Award – Aug 15

Posted by Lever for Change on July 8, 2025

Emerging Climate Champions Award announces $25 million global open call

The Emerging Climate Champions Award is a $25 million global open call sponsored by the Enlight Foundation and The Patchwork Collective and managed by Lever for Change that will provide flexible, multiyear gifts of $1 million each to youth-led organizations advancing climate solutions across the globe. Informed by feedback from young climate leaders around the world, the award directly takes into account youth perspectives, as well as cultural and localized contexts for climate work.

This award aims to shine a spotlight on climate organizations with youth leadership. For this open call, youth is defined as ages 15 to 35, and leadership pertains to youth who hold an executive staff position or a board member position in an organization.

The award welcomes eligible organizations working across a full spectrum of climate issues and solutions, including but not limited to areas such as education, movement building, climate justice, science/technology, economic opportunity, community resilience, conservation, advocacy, sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, and others. The award invites applications from organizations with at least two years of operation (as of the registration deadline) that are community-led and that have demonstrated experience, impact potential, and measurable results in advancing durable climate solutions in the communities they serve.

Organizations from all around the world are encouraged to apply, including those from historically under-resourced and/or under-represented communities, such as Indigenous-led organizations, women-led organizations, and grassroots organizations.

Before applying, applicants are invited to complete the Organization Readiness Tool and refer to the Open Call Rules to help determine eligibility and to ensure that their organization is a strong fit. Interested organizations must register to apply by August 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Complete applications are due by September 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Lever for Change website.

Deadline: August 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET (Register to apply)