UN Youth Climate Programme

  The United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), in partnership with Seedstars, has expanded its Youth Climate Innovation (YCI) Program for the 2024-2025 cycle. Aimed at empowering young innovators from developing regions—Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific—the initiative supports climate technology solutions by offering mentorship, resources, and funding. This program plays a critical role in helping young entrepreneurs address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Programme Details

Building on the success of previous editions, which engaged more than 300 young innovators from over 70 countries, the 2024-2025 YCI Programme offers an enhanced structure designed to foster even greater impact. It consists of three main components:

1. YCI Idea Lab: A 7-day virtual event where young innovators generate climate solution ideas using design thinking tools.
2. YCI Incubator: A 12-week program providing teams with hands-on mentorship to transform their ideas into viable products and services.
3. YCI Accelerator: A 4-week intensive support program that focuses on financing and partnerships to help high-potential teams scale their innovations.

The YCI Program aims to create sustainable, high-impact climate solutions by focusing on key areas such as the water-energy-food nexus, sustainable mobility, and energy systems. By prioritizing innovation and digitalization, the program contributes to global efforts to tackle climate change, as outlined in the 2023 UNEP Emission Gap Report.

Benefits and Eligibility

Participants in the YCI Program will gain access to a variety of resources, including:

• Mentorship: Guidance from industry experts and entrepreneurs-in-residence.
• Networking: Opportunities to connect with potential partners and investors.
• Skills Development: Training in climate technology and entrepreneurship.
• Pitching Opportunities: The chance to present their solutions at regional climate events.

Eligibility criteria for the YCI Program include:

• Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• They should come from developing countries within the program’s target regions.
• Candidates should either hold a bachelor’s degree or have at least three years of relevant work experience.
• Priority will be given to those promoting gender equality, coming from marginalized communities, or possessing strong motivation to address climate challenges.

How to Apply and Deadline

Interested individuals can submit their applications by visiting youthclimateinnovation.com. The deadline to apply for the first phase of the programe, the YCI Idea Lab, is October 20, 2024.