Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future – Oct 13

In each continent, the five best projects will receive: 1st prize of 30k euros (around 33,000 USD*), 2nd prize of 20k euros (around 22,000 USD*), the third and fourth prizes of 10k euros each (around 11,000 USD*) and the fifth prize will receive 5k euros (around 5,500 USD*). On top of the jury selection, each project will have an opportunity to compete for a “Audience Prize” – a favorite idea of Schneider employees of that particular office, which would also be rewarded with a 2k euros prize (around 2,2200 USD*). Finally, out of all selected 25 projects, one will receive a special prize of “Youth Innovation Champion” of 50k euros in total (around 55,000 USD*) at the occasion of the COP29 in November 2024.  (*This is a rough estimate, USD prices may fluctuate, depending on conversion rates.)

Eligibility and Criteria

• Your organization/company must be registered and have existed for more than a year.
• Your organization/company is based in one of the following countries: United States, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Paruguay, Venezuela.
• Your organization/company’s main mission must be of a social purpose.
• Your organization/company must be youth-serving, meaning that your beneficiary group is youth (between the ages of 12-30 years old). Other than that, there is no age eligibility requirement! Young people and adult allies alike are eligible to apply as long as their organization/company is youth-serving.
• Your organization/company must have one of the two following eligible types of programming:  1. Professional training of youth for the job market of tomorrow: green jobs, sustainability, new skills, etc.; 2. Hatching ideas and capacity building of social entrepreneurship projects
• Your organization/company must reflect at least 3 out of the 5 following priorities of the CFP:  1. Just transition; 2. Awareness and inclusion; 3. Professional training in energy management; 4. Entrepreneurship; 5. Gender

Do you meet the eligibility requirements? Learn more and apply here. Applications are open till Sunday, October 13th. Do you have any questions? Reach out to Renata at rvillanueva@ashoka.org who will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.