Updates

Youth Innovators Wanted: Apply now for the Youth Ecopreneur Award and make a positive impact on the planet

28 April 2023
ITC News

The International Trade Centre's Youth Ecopreneur Award is now accepting applications until 10 May from young innovators in the green economy who are developing sustainable solutions to promote a greener world.

 

This year, a special prize for land restoration will also be awarded.

Youth Ecopreneur Award

This prestigious award provides a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas to an esteemed audience of business experts, investors, UN and government representatives at the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The top four finalists (one from Mongolia and three from other countries) will travel to Ulaanbaatar to pitch their businesses.

The winner will receive amazing prizes, including:

  • $5,000 cash to support their business;
  • Access to the Google Startups for Sustainable Development Programme (S4SD);
  • Training from Google;
  • Specialized support on intellectual property (IP) protection from the World Intellectual Property Organization;
  • Links to Investors for additional funding;
  • International exposure through spotlight pieces from ITC;
  • A fully funded trip to Mongolia to pitch their business and attend the WEDF.
     

Land Restoration award

This year, we are partnering with the G20 Global Land Initiative at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Together we're excited to announce a special award in land restoration. The top three finalists will travel to Ulaanbaatar.

Eligibility criteria for this specialized award are:

Reforestation or afforestation   Soil conservation and enrichment   
Wetland restoration     Erosion control   
Cleanup of contaminated Land    Agroforestry and carbon farmimg  
Invasive species control Forest or urban woodland fire management  
Stream and river restoration    Use of modern technology  for any of the above

The winner of this specialized award will receive:

  • $5,000 cash to support their business;
  • Training from Google;
  • Specialized support on intellectual property (IP) protection from the World Intellectual Property Organization;
  • Links to investors for additional funding;
  • International exposure through spotlight pieces from ITC;
  • A fully funded trip to Mongolia to pitch their business and attend the WEDF.

 

To enter, entrepreneurs must be under 35 years of age, and their business venture must promote sustainability, circularity, and/or the green economy. Additionally, the venture must be primarily run by a young person and be registered in an eligible developing country as listed in the application.

Please share this incredible opportunity with any young innovators who fit these criteria.

The application deadline is 10 May 2023. Apply here


For more information and details of past winners please visit the Ye! Community website.

Celebrate the impact of young ecopreneurs, and support them in their journey towards building a sustainable future. Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on our planet and be a part of the global movement towards a better tomorrow!

We also invite you to join the ITC's Global Community for young entrepreneurs, Ye! Community, to receive the latest news and updates and connect with fellow entrepreneurs, hubs, mentors, and more. Visit www.yecommunity.com to join.

The World Export Development Forum (WEDF) is an annual flagship event organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) to foster international trade and investment for sustainable and inclusive development.