Call for Nominations: Young Environmentalist Awards (Ireland, UK)

ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) is a free all-Ireland programme that supports young people aged 10–18 to design and lead environmental action projects in their schools and communities. The programme runs through multiple stages, including project submission for adjudication with a stated deadline of 12:00pm, 4 February 2027. ECO-UNESCO runs the Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA), a free all-Ireland programme that helps young people create and lead environmental action projects. Since 1999, YEA has supported youth-led solutions to environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste reduction, and sustainable living. The programme is designed to help participants raise awareness, take action on issues they care about, and inspire others to do the same. ECO-UNESCO states that over 75,000 young people have participated since the programme began. This opportunity is described as a free programme; the source does not specify grant amounts or financial awards. Instead, the stated benefits focus on support, learning, recognition, and opportunities to present work.

Benefits described in the source include:

The source also notes that mentors are recognised through a “Mentor of the Year” award. ECO-UNESCO states that the YEA is open to: Additional eligibility-related guidance from the source: Groups select an award category during registration that best fits their project idea. The source states: The source does not list the 11 specific themes in the provided text. Applicants should consult the official YEA submission or registration materials for the full category list. YEA is structured to move youth environmental ideas from planning into action, with mentorship and workshops supporting participants across the project lifecycle. The programme also creates a pathway for youth-led work to be reviewed by expert judges and showcased at a national awards ceremony. For schools and community youth groups, the programme offers a structured way to build environmental literacy and practical project skills while developing leadership and advocacy through public presentation. The source describes the YEA process in stages and includes a stated submission deadline, but it does not provide a direct application link or detailed document requirements in the provided text.

Follow the programme stages as described:

Groups register online and choose the award category that best fits their project. The source states that registration provides access to resources and support to start the project. Young people work on their environmental projects with help from ECO-UNESCO’s 6-Steps-to-Success Manual, workshops, and mentoring. The source states the submission deadline is 12:00pm, 4 February 2027. Shortlisted groups are invited to pitch to a panel of expert judges in regional hubs across Ireland. Finalists showcase their projects and winners are announced at the national event. Official guidance link: Not specified in the provided source text. Readers should use the ECO-UNESCO “Young Environmentalist Awards” pages (including “Register” and “Submission Guidelines”) for the exact online submission steps and requirements. (Any additional selection or adjudication criteria are not provided in the supplied text.) What is the Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA)? YEA is a free all-Ireland programme run by ECO-UNESCO that supports young people aged 10–18 to design and lead environmental action projects in schools and communities. Who can enter the YEA? Any group of young people aged 10–18, with 2–25 members, based in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Is there a fee to enter? No. The programme is described as free to enter. What are the age categories?

The source lists three categories: Super Junior (10–12), Junior (12–14), and Senior (15–18).

What is the project submission deadline? Can we enter a project we already submitted to another competition? Yes. The source says that if you have already entered a science, sustainability, or innovation competition, you can enter the same project into YEA to increase its impact and reach. How does the programme progress after submission? After project submission, shortlisted groups are invited to pitch at Semi-Final ECO-Dens (March/April), and finalists showcase their projects at the YEA Showcase & Awards Ceremony in May. If your group includes young people aged 10–18 in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, review ECO-UNESCO’s official YEA pages—especially the Register and Submission Guidelines sections—to confirm the exact online steps, category options, and any submission requirements. Then plan your project timeline backwards from the stated 12:00pm, 4 February 2027 submission deadline.