Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2025

Empowering the Next Generation of Green Changemakers: Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2025

As the global urgency for sustainable, innovative, and environment-centered solutions continues to escalate, a powerful opportunity has emerged for young visionaries. The Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2025 is now open for applications, offering a uniquely comprehensive platform for youth-led green businesses to scale their impact and connect with global networks. With a total of $100,000 USD in equity-free funding, plus mentorship, legal support, and global exposure, this is one accelerator capable of fueling meaningful change. 

What Is the Youth Ecopreneur Programme?

YECO is a global accelerator initiative co-designed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD, in partnership with notable organizations like WIPO, Sidley Austin LLP, and Google’s Startup for Sustainable Development Programme. It is crafted to amplify youth-led green businesses, especially those focusing on land restoration and sustainable, circular economy solutions.

Key Benefits for Selected Participants

Youth Ecopreneurs selected for the 2025 cycle will enjoy an array of benefits designed to bolster both impact and viability:

• Equity-free Seed Funding: A shared fund of $100,000 USD available to support the Land Restoration cohort.

• Global Bootcamp: Engaging training sessions and masterclasses covering legal frameworks, investment-readiness, IP, scaling, and sustainability.

• Global Accelerator: Tailored coaching, mentorship, legal/IP assistance, and preferential access to services from Sidley Austin and Google’s sustainable startup initiative.

• Youth Ecopreneur Awards: Finalists earn an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference, pitch coaching, global visibility, and a $10,000 USD award per category.

Who Can Apply?

This programme is tailored for founders, co-founders, or CEOs under the age of 35 (as of the deadline) who lead legally registered businesses with a strong environmental focus.(Opportunity Desk, UN Decade on Restoration) Eligible ventures must be majority youth-led and offer solutions in areas such as:

• Land Restoration: Reforestation, soil restoration, wetland recovery, erosion control, agroforestry, invasive species control, stream or river remediation, fire management, and other restorative activities 

• Green & Circular Economy Solutions: Renewable energy, sustainable materials, recycling, eco-packaging, energy efficiency, and circular business models.

Special emphasis is placed on applications from underrepresented groups—female entrepreneurs, youth from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), landlocked nations, and persons with disabilities

Fast Track Option: For Growth-Ready Startups

Recognizing that some ventures are already beyond the embryonic phase, YECO allows a Fast Track entry that enables these businesses to bypass the bootcamp and move directly into the accelerator. Eligibility for this route includes having:

• Proven market traction

• Consistent revenue or clear profitability path

• A full-time, scalable business model with a dedicated team

• Registration in a developing country

Application Timeline & Process

• Deadline: 14 September 2025 — applications submitted after this date won’t be considered. 

• Application Form: Takes approximately 30–40 minutes to complete. Required documents include passport, business registration certificate, and a pitch deck. Note: applications must be completed in a single session.

Why This Opportunity Is Game-Changing

1. Holistic Support Ecosystem – YECO provides not just capital but comprehensive support—from legal counsel to mentorship, visibility, and a global peer network.

2. Equity-Free Financing – Entrepreneurs receive funding without relinquishing ownership.

3. Prestigious Partnerships – With backing from ITC, UNCCD, G20 Initiative, Google, and top-tier law firms, YECO creates pathways to legitimacy and reach.

4. Diverse Inclusion – By prioritizing underrepresented geographies and identities, YECO fuels innovation where it's most impactful.

5. Special Tracks for Impact Stage – The Fast Track option recognizes and fast-tracks ventures already ready to scale.

Final Thoughts

The Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2025 stands as a remarkable convergence of opportunity, support, and global visibility for young changemakers dedicated to environmental and climate justice. Whether you're pioneering land restoration or sustainable business models, this programme is designed to accelerate meaningful impact—without taking your equity.

• Deadline: Submit by 14 September 2025

• Age Cap: Under 35 years old

• Roles: Founder, Co-Founder, or CEO of a youth-led, legally registered business

• Prepare to apply: Have your passport, registration documents, and pitch deck ready.