UNDP launches new direct funding opportunity for young climate leaders through the Youth4Climate initiative

Rome – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Italy, has announced the launch of the 2025 Youth4Climate Call for Solutions. This global initiative invites young climate leaders and youth-led organizations to submit innovative and impactful solutions to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change. Applications will be open from February 26 to May 26 2025.

With 1.9 billion young people worldwide – the largest generation in history – youth are already shaping the future of climate action. From mobilizing global movements to implementing solutions in their communities, young people are driving change. Yet, despite their leadership and deep knowledge of local realities, they remain underrepresented in climate decision-making and lack access to the technical, political, and financial support needed to scale their efforts. UNDP is committed to addressing this gap by amplifying young voices, supporting youth-led innovation and ensuring that climate policies, including the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), reflect the priorities of future generations.

“Through innovation, advocacy, and leadership, young people are developing and implementing solutions to climate change that have the potential to drive real progress on the ground. Through the Youth4Climate initiative, UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Italy, is proud to expand opportunities for youth by providing them with financial resources, capacity-building, and networking support.”

The Youth4Climate (Y4C) initiative is a key part of this commitment, providing young innovators not only with funding up to USD 30,000 per project, but also with capacity development opportunities to strengthen their impact. Since its first Call in 2023, Youth4Climate has mobilized over 3,000 proposals from young innovators across 120+ countries and awarded 100 youth-led initiatives across 52 countries, bringing the total allocated support to $2.5 million globally.

Building on the success of previous years, the 2025 Call for Solutions introduces several new focus areas to reflect emerging global priorities in climate action. This year’s priority themes include:

• Sustainable Energy – Accelerating clean energy access and innovation.
• Food and Agriculture – Supporting climate-smart agricultural solutions.
• Climate and Health – Addressing the intersection of climate change and public health.
• Digital for Planet – Leveraging digital technologies for climate resilience.
• Climate, Peace, and Security – Strengthening climate action in conflict-affected regions.
• Nature – Promoting nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation.

To ensure greater accessibility, the 2025 Call for Solutions has expanded its language offerings, and will be accepting applications in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Young climate leaders and organizations are encouraged to apply by May 26, 2025. For detailed information on eligibility criteria and the application process, click here. 
 

 
Youth4Climate (Y4C) is a global initiative, launched in May 2022, co-led by the Government of Italy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative has its Secretariat at the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition.

Y4C brings together existing and new online and offline resources, tools, capacities, partnerships, networks and movements led by and designed for youth, with a strong focus on the implementation of solutions, for a more sustained impact on climate on the ground. It aims to foster an inclusive, safe and enabling environment for youth to lead and partner with other stakeholders on climate action.

For more information about the initiative, visit the Youth4Climate platform. 

Follow Youth4Climate on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

Learn more broadly about UNDP’s work on, with and for youth here and on inclusion here.