Youth Ecopreneur Fellowship Programme 2026/2027

Applications are open for the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026/2027. This global accelerator backs young entrepreneurs driving the green and just transition. It focuses on youth-led businesses, especially in land restoration. The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD power it.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: International Trade Centre (ITC) and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD
• Funding: Equity-free seed funding from a shared $100,000 pool for land restoration
• Award: $10,000 prize for each category winner
• Format: Global Bootcamp, Accelerator, and Youth Ecopreneur Awards
• Eligibility: Founders, co-founders, or CEOs under 35 with registered green businesses
• Application Deadline: November 22, 2026

Focus Areas

• Land restoration and sustainability
• Circular economy and green business
• Climate action and environmental justice
• Scaling youth-led green ventures

About the Programme

YECO strengthens the competitiveness and scale of youth-led green businesses. Partners include WIPO, Sidley Austin LLP, Google, and EY. The five-year programme onboards new participants every year. The bootcamp is open globally. The accelerator is reserved for eligible countries.

What Participants Receive

Participants gain capacity-building, mentorship, and coaching from experts. They also receive legal and intellectual property guidance. Preferential access to Sidley Austin’s pro-bono legal services is included. Participants also get one-on-one coaching with EY experts. Award finalists receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must be under 35 by the application deadline. They must be founders, co-founders, or CEOs. The business must be legally registered and majority youth-run. It must promote land restoration, sustainability, circularity, or the green economy. The accelerator is open only to eligible countries.

Required Materials

Applicants complete an online form taking about 30 to 40 minutes. They should have their passport, business certificate, and pitch deck ready. Applicants can save their progress and finish later.

How to Apply

Submit your application before November 22, 2026.

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Conclusion

This programme offers young green entrepreneurs funding, mentorship, and global exposure. Seed funding is shared among the land-restoration cohort, so amounts per venture may be modest. Applicants should confirm their country’s eligibility for the accelerator first. Review all terms through the official YECO page.

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