Young Climate Prize: Global Mentorship for Youth Climate Leaders

Young Climate Prize is a biannual mentorship and award initiative founded by the New York City-based nonprofit organization The World Around. Created to empower the next generation of climate innovators, the program focuses on individuals aged 13 to 25 who are developing bold, visionary projects to advance climate resilience in their local communities. Each cycle, the Young Climate Prize selects a cohort of 25 climate leaders from around the world to participate in a comprehensive Design Academy. This academy provides participants with essential skills in marketing, fundraising, graphic design, and communications. A cornerstone of the program is the pairing of each cohort member with a 'Design Champion'—a world-renowned professional from the architecture, urbanism, or design sectors. These mentors provide one-on-one sessions to help refine and scale the mentees' initiatives, which range from waste management and alternative fuel sources to sustainable construction and artistic activism. The program culminates in an annual summit held in New York City, often in partnership with prestigious institutions like the Guggenheim Museum or MoMA's Emilio Ambasz Institute. Three primary winners—recognized as the Young Climate Designer, Young Climate Voice, and Young Climate Visionary—receive financial support and travel to New York to present their work on a global stage. By fostering intergenerational collaboration and providing a platform for actionism, the Young Climate Prize ensures that young people's lived experiences and creative visions drive tangible, scalable climate solutions worldwide.