25 Youth-Led Climate Champions Awarded $1M Each to Advance Solutions Globally
Emerging Climate Champions Award
The awardees address a broad range of climate priorities, including conservation and biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and resource management, renewable energy, movement building, and policy and advocacy. Additionally, this incredible cohort includes initiatives led by Indigenous peoples and women — groups traditionally excluded from traditional funding pathways. All awardees have already demonstrated measurable results, delivering tangible environmental, economic, and social benefits in partnership with the communities they serve. Each organization brings a unique model for accelerating climate action, drawing on the expertise, lived experience, and leadership of those closest to these challenges.
“Real, lasting climate solutions happen when we don't just give young people a seat at the table, but hand them the mic as leaders and innovators,” said Xin Liu, Founder and President of Enlight Foundation. “These awardees are showing us what is possible, and we are honored to celebrate the meaningful impact they are creating in communities around the world.”
“Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, but these awardees remind us that some of the most promising solutions are already taking shape in local communities,” said Cedric Dageville, Principal at The Patchwork Collective. “Their energy, creativity, and commitment to action are deeply inspiring. We are honored to recognize these organizations and look forward to seeing how their leadership continues to drive meaningful climate progress in the years ahead.”
The 25 awardees represent a diverse group of organizations working in 33 countries around the globe. All awardee organizations met the program's youth-led eligibility requirement by satisfying at least two of three youth leadership (ages 15-35) criteria. Together, the awardees demonstrate that bold climate leadership is emerging from every region of the world, with solutions shaped by the people and places they are designed to serve.
The global open call is funded by the Enlight Foundation and The Patchwork Collective, and managed by Lever for Change, a nonprofit that leverages its networks to help donors find and fund bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems. All 25 awardees, along with a cohort of other top-ranking organizations from the open call, have joined Lever for Change’s Bold Solutions Network, a curated network of vetted organizations that have the potential to secure additional funding and expand their impact.
“The organizations recognized through the Emerging Climate Champions Award demonstrate what is possible when young, local leaders have the resources and trust to drive solutions tailored to their communities,” said Kristen J. Molyneaux, President and Co-founder of Lever for Change. “We hope this recognition not only celebrates their achievements but also inspires continued investment from funders who are committed to supporting the next generation of climate leadership.”
The open call drew applications from youth-led organizations based in 108 countries, reflecting the growing movement of young people leading climate action in their own communities. Applications underwent a multi-stage review, including administrative screening, a participatory review process, and an external evaluation panel composed of experts from around the world working in climate-related fields, philanthropy, or related fields. Following an additional round of due diligence, the Enlight Foundation, The Patchwork Collective, and Lever for Change identified the final awardees.
Funders can support the awardees and the additional top applicant organizations from the Emerging Climate Champions Award. More information about the Award can be found at https://leverforchange.org/open-calls/emerging-climate-champions-award/.
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Contact:
Angie Ngo, Lever for Change, media@leverforchange.org
Enlight Foundation
Enlight Foundation focuses on education equality, youth mental wellbeing and youth-driven climate change solutions globally. To create catalytic systems change, the foundation invests in young people, elevates youth voices, and works collaboratively with other foundations, researchers, and nonprofits.
The Patchwork Collective
The Patchwork Collective is a family philanthropic effort supporting locally-led solutions to global challenges. We fund diverse, bold, community-driven organizations and leaders across climate justice, social equity, and global health. Our mission is to provide funding and other forms of support to organizations intent on increasing equitable access, among all people, to better health, education, food security, opportunity, justice, and harmony with their environment.
Lever for Change
Lever for Change is a nonprofit that creates equitable access in the world of philanthropy, enabling donors to discover and invest in organizations with transformative potential. Through an inclusive open call approach, the team invites organizations of all sizes from around the world to showcase their big ideas and receive donor funding and resources to make them happen. To date, Lever for Change has influenced over $2.7 billion USD in grants and worked with more than 500 organizations worldwide. Discover new potential at leverforchange.org.
Angie Ngo
Lever for Change
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