Shape the Future Challenge 2025: Turn Your Climate Solution Into Reality!

Are you a young changemaker between 15 and 24 years old with a bold idea to tackle climate change? Are you ready to collaborate with passionate peers, learn from world-class mentors, and take your solution to a global stage? The Shape the Future Challenge 2025, powered by Moonshot Pirates, is your opportunity to turn your vision into action—and even win an unforgettable innovation trip to Dubai!

This is more than a challenge—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of climate innovators.

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About the Shape the Future Challenge

The Shape the Future Challenge is a global online innovation competition that empowers youth aged 15 to 24 to develop bold, impactful, and sustainable solutions for the climate crisis. Over four exciting weeks, you’ll:

• Form international teams

• Learn from global experts and mentors

• Develop and pitch your climate solution

• Compete for a trip to Dubai, where you’ll explore the heart of global innovation and sustainability

This year’s focus is Climate Action, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Why Join?

• Learn critical 21st-century skills: Ideation, design thinking, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

• Gain mentorship from top professionals: Tech founders, climate scientists, business leaders, and more.

• Collaborate across borders: Team up with peers from around the world and work toward a shared goal.

• Amplify your voice and ideas: Present your project in front of a global audience, including impact-driven organizations.

• Win the experience of a lifetime: An all-expenses-covered trip to Dubai, including workshops, innovation tours, and connection with sustainability leaders.

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Challenge Timeline

Apply (June 6 – June 30, 2025)

• Open to individuals and teams

• No idea yet? No problem—you can still join and find teammates later.

• All accepted participants will be invited to the Moonshot Pirates online challenge space by July 1.

Team Up (July 3 – July 6, 2025)

• Attend the Opening Ceremony on July 3

• Participate in fun networking events to connect with changemakers

• Form your team of 2–6 members by July 6

Develop Your Idea (July 3 – July 31, 2025)

• Design a radical, feasible, and impactful climate solution

• Attend expert mentoring sessions and workshops

• Submit your final project and 1-minute pitch video by July 31 (3 PM UTC)

Final Pitching (August 4 – August 21, 2025)

• 7 finalist teams will be selected through a combination of online voting and expert assessment

• Finalists present their pitch during the online Pitching Ceremony on August 21

• Winner receives an invitation to Dubai in early 2026

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What’s at Stake?

Grand Prize: Dubai Innovation Trip (2026)

• Return airfare from your nearest major international airport

• Accommodation and transportation in Dubai

• Visits to cutting-edge innovation hubs and green startups

• Hands-on workshops and networking with climate pioneers

Bonus Opportunities:

• Chance to pitch at Future Port Youth 2025 in Prague

• Global exposure, mentorship, and growth opportunities long after the challenge ends

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Who Can Apply?

• Youth aged 15–24, from any country

• Fluent in English (the entire challenge is conducted in English)

• Passionate about solving real-world climate issues

• No experience necessary—just a commitment to learn and collaborate

Parental consent is required for finalists under 18 years old.

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What Kind of Ideas Are We Looking For?

Your project should address at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), with a special focus on climate change. Here are a few examples of possible directions:

• Clean energy innovations

• Green transportation & mobility

• Waste reduction & circular economy

• Food security & sustainable agriculture

• Smart cities & sustainable housing

Projects can be submitted as concepts or working prototypes. Judges will assess submissions based on:

• Impact

• Radicality

• Feasibility

• Wow factor

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 What Will You Learn?

The challenge provides educational videos, expert-led workshops, and mentoring sessions covering:

• How to identify global challenges

• Ideation and brainstorming

• Effective storytelling and pitching

• Team collaboration

• Strategic project planning

• How to build sustainable business models

 Most activities take 20 min to 1.5 hours/day, designed to fit easily around school or work.

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Mentoring & Support

Get access to a global pool of mentors including:

• Sustainability leaders

• Engineers and startup founders

• Designers and technologists

• Marketing and fundraising experts

Teams can book individual sessions with mentors and receive tailored feedback throughout the challenge.

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FAQs (Highlights)

• Free to join

• Conducted entirely in English

• Individual application required—even if applying as a team

• International teams encouraged

• Laptop and stable internet recommended

• Your idea remains yours—but may also be promoted by challenge partners

Check the full FAQ here.

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 How to Apply

Ready to make your mark?

Apply here by June 30, 2025

For more opportunities, visit opportunitiesforyouth.org.