Paris — The Learning Planet Institute in Paris has opened its 2026–27 Youth Design Challenge, inviting young people aged 15 to 26 to pitch youth-led projects that can create real change in their communities. Environment and climate is one of the three themes, alongside peace and democracy and mental health and wellbeing.
The challenge is described by the institute as a launchpad for youth-led social impact projects. Participants pitch their projects online, and an international jury selects 60 projects for training. Twelve of those projects are then chosen as ambassadors, each receiving a 1,000 dollar grant to advance their work.
What the Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge offers
The 60 shortlisted projects receive online training, including targeted mentorship, masterclasses and practical tools to develop their projects, according to the institute. They also join a global community of practice, bringing young founders together with peers facing similar challenges.
The 12 ambassadors selected at the end of the process receive a 1,000 dollar grant each to spend on advancing their projects, along with invitations to international events and tailored networking support, according to programme listings. Programme listings also describe certification through the United Nations University Hub for Future of Learning with Youth for shortlisted projects.
Who can apply, and what kind of project qualifies
The challenge is open worldwide to young people aged 15 to 26 at the submission deadline, with no country restriction and no application fee. Projects must be fully youth-led, meaning every founder, lead and team member must be aged 15 to 26 at submission, while mentors and advisers may be older.
According to the programme’s application guidance, projects must already be past the pure idea stage — for example, a prototype, a first pilot, or early users or partners — together with a plan for the next 6 to 12 months. Applicants may submit one project per lead applicant, in English, and applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to authorise their participation.
Key dates for the 2026–27 challenge
The 2026–27 edition was launched on 22 September 2026 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, and the call for proposals opened in mid-October 2026. Applications close on 7 January 2027 at 23:59 Central European Time.
The international jury is due to select 60 projects in February 2027. Online training and mentorship for those projects runs from March to June 2027, and the 12 ambassadors are due to be selected and celebrated in July 2027.
Why this ambassador model matters for climate action
The institute notes that more than half the world’s population is under 30, yet many young people with solutions for the planet lack support, networks and funding. The challenge aims to close that gap by giving youth-led initiatives visibility, skills and a small grant to grow.
Previous ambassadors show how the climate theme works in practice. They include Elinuru Isaya of Tanzania, whose Youth Environmental Governance Hub works on youth environmental leadership; Jihyun Ko of the United States, whose WasteWise project focuses on smarter waste sorting; and Ha Phuong Thao Nguyen of Viet Nam, whose Story of Straw project turns straw from rubbish into treasure.
For young climate project leaders, the ambassador title is therefore not only recognition: it comes with training, a network and funding to take a local project further, ahead of a year in which youth voices are expected to feature prominently at COP31 in Antalya.
FAKTA
- What: Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge 2026–27, run by the Learning Planet Institute in Paris.
- Who: Young people aged 15 to 26, worldwide, with a youth-led social impact project.
- Themes: Peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, and environment and climate.
- What winners receive: 60 shortlisted projects get online training and mentorship; 12 ambassadors receive a 1,000 dollar grant each.
- Deadline: 7 January 2027 at 23:59 Central European Time; ambassadors announced in July 2027.
