CHANGE TOMORROW
Changing tomorrow happens with young climate leaders on the ground making impact where it is most needed. The Young Climate Prize is an accelerator that gathers, mentors, and amplifies this next generation. Join us to scale your community, solutions, and impact.
About Us
The Young Climate Prize is a mentorship and award initiative that supports global leaders under the age of 25 who are living and working on the front lines of the climate crisis. These young innovators are delivering immediate, locally grounded, and scalable climate solutions through self-initiated projects rooted in community, proven in real-world conditions, and designed for adaptation across regions. Since its launch in 2022, the program has supported 50 young innovators from 35 countries, working on solutions ranging from waste management and alternative fuel sources, to material innovation and even birdwatching. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, use the link below to submit a nomination ahead of the next application cycle.
CYCLE 03 TIMELINE
APRIL 2026Applications Open
Cycle 03 opens for applications on Earth Day 2026! If you're under 25 leading a climate action project with a focus on immediate, local and scalable impact, this is your chance share your project with the world, be mentored by global experts, join an international community and win a trip to present your work in New York City. Simply share the story of your project in a two-minute video for a chance to win.
JUNE 2026Applications Close
The application period ends. Our team begins reviewing submissions from the next generation of climate pioneers.
SEPTEMBER 202625 Under 25 Announced
During NY Climate Week 25 young changemakers will be announced as finalists for Cycle 03. We welcome the new cohort shaping the future of climate action.
SEPTEMBER 2026Design Academy Begins
Our finalists enter a three-month academy of workshops, lectures, and mentorship guided by global Design Champions.
JANUARY 2027Jury Convenes
The jury reviews each finalist’s progress and project impact to select the next generation of prize honorees.
FEBRUARY 2027Winners Announced
Three prize winners and a special jury honoree are revealed and celebrated for their leadership and innovation.
APRIL 2027Winners Present at Summit 2027
The prize culminates in a public presentation at The World Around Summit during Earth Week in New York City.
GET INVOLVED WITH CYCLE 03
NOMINATE
Nominations are now open for Cycle 03 of the biannual Young Climate Prize, which gives 25 under 25s the opportunity to receive visibility, support, and mentorship to expand their projects from our international list of award-winning Design Champions.
If someone you know, has a self-initiated project that is tackling the climate crisis, nominate them today. Nominees will be contacted when applications open in April 2026 and encouraged to submit their project for consideration. Self-nominations welcome.
BECOME A MENTOR
If you're over 25 but still would like to make a difference in the climate space, please consider volunteering your time and expertise as a mentor.
For each cohort, The World Around team pairs each prize finalist with a mentor from our community of exceptional individuals involved in a wide range of creative fields. The mentors are asked to assist their mentees in their professional development, help advance their projects through advice and networks, and support them through the three-month program and beyond.
We're actively looking for mentors to join our roster for Cycle 03, which begins September 2026, so please register your interest using the link below if you're willing to commit to the above asks.
SPONSOR A CLIMATE LEADER
Joining The World Around as a donor at any level can support The World Around’s most impactful mentorship and award program, the Young Climate Prize. Your support directly sustains this nonprofit initiative, supporting logistics, training, air travel for 25 under 25, and more. By supporting the prize, you are empowering immediate, local and scalable solutions to the climate crisis led by the people experiencing it first hand.
As a member, you will have opportunities to meet directly with members of the cohort and learn more about their groundbreaking ideas, while joining an international community of supporters, curators, and partners passionate to advance architecture and design as a tool for planetary resilience.
COMMUNITY
Since its founding in 2022, The World Around Young Climate Prize has organically grown into a highly engaged global network of alumni members, mentors, and supporters united in their shared mission to combat the climate crisis. This community of bright minds and impactful leaders continues to grow with each Cycle, event, and connection made by those involved—and there is always room for more!
“Being part of this community reminds me that design isn’t just about structures; it’s about systems, dignity, and justice.”
WATCH ALUMNI FILMS
Discover the self-made films from our Young Climate Prize alumni, and experience the powerful voices and ideas of a new generation of global changemakers.
Uru Uru Team
Hyapak
Corn Furniture
GeoTek
LightEd
Nomad Garden
The Color, Green
Climate Words
Women, Climate Change and the Food Industry
Alumni
Meet the brilliant past finalists who participated in Cycles 01 and 02 and continue to lead bold climate action—locally rooted, globally connected, and creatively unstoppable.
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Mentors
Meet The World Around's global network of leading architects, artists, curators, scientists, and storytellers, who volunteer their time to mentor, teach, and uplift the next generation of climate leaders as part of the Young Climate Prize.
“Nothing makes me happier than to see great communication come to life and that is what I’ve experienced with the Young Climate Prize winners”
STORIES
Storytelling is a huge component of the Young Climate Prize, as part of our mission is to proliferate the ideas and spread the word about the brilliant young people who become part of our community through this unique initiative. We share their stories through films, articles, programming, and any other opportunities we find.
WATCH YOUNG CLIMATE STORIES
Explore Young Climate Stories—our original film series capturing candid conversations between the youth reshaping our planet and the mentors who guide them.
Bruce Mau & Covalence Global
Paola Antonelli & Alfonse Chiu
Henk Ovink & Namra Khalid
READ INSIGHTS
Read news, interviews, original work, and other articles featuring our Young Climate Prize alumni.
“The World Around provides a powerful source of hope for young people by creating a platform where we can share our work aimed at preserving the planet. In a time when it’s easy to feel disheartened about the future, this space helps us unite our voices, challenge existing boundaries, and inspire new ways of thinking. It has reignited my belief that the Earth can still be saved, and that by amplifying and expanding these efforts globally, we can make a meaningful and lasting impact ”
YOUNG CLIMATE PRIZE EVENTS
The World Around and its partners curate special invite-only programs for our members and the Young Climate Prize Community, including film screenings, workshops, tours, and networking opportunities.
“Designers are expanding our capacity to bring about transformation”
“Birds are the best bridge for discussing why the environment matters”
The World Around launches Dispatches newsletter for Circles members
Young Climate Prize alumni participate in Climate Film Festival panel
2025 in Review
On "The Burden of a Dream" by Young Climate Voice winner Amara Nwuneli
Living with Donald Judd
Troy Schaum on build constituency in Marfa
Partners
Our work is made possible thanks to the support of our generous and engaged community.
Young Climate Prize Design Partner
Young Climate Design Partner
“MillerKnoll Foundation is honored to support the work of The World Around and Young Climate Prize. The truly amazing youth in this program give us hope for the future. Their insights and ideas align with our belief in the collective power of people, partnerships, and philanthropy, fueled by design, to create a better world. ”
SUPPORT
The World Around Young Climate Prize is made possible thanks to the generous support of our Corporate Partners and individual donors. If you or your company is interesting in joining us in our mission to uplift the next generation of climate leaders, please consider joining our Climate Circle using the link below, or contact us to discuss bespoke partnership opportunities.