The Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) is an international initiative supporting young entrepreneurs who are developing business solutions to environmental challenges. Implemented by the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Ye! Community and the G20 Global Land Initiative/United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the programme aims to help young innovators scale green businesses, restore land, strengthen climate resilience and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Under the banner “Scaling Young Green Entrepreneurs for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” YECO brings together training, mentorship, business acceleration, networking, exposure and opportunities for funding. It is designed for young founders, co-founders and chief executive officers who are building legally registered businesses with solutions focused on land restoration or green business.

The programme has evolved from an awards initiative into a broader support pathway for youth-led green enterprises. According to the supplied programme information, YECO received more than 1,500 applications from over 100 countries in 2025, demonstrating international interest in youth entrepreneurship and sustainable business solutions.

The website promotes applications for YECO 2026/27. However, the information provided does not state a specific application deadline. Interested applicants should check the official YECO website and application portal for the current deadline, eligible-country list and updated requirements before applying.

What Is the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO)?

The Youth Ecopreneur Programme supports young entrepreneurs who want to address environmental problems through viable, scalable business solutions. An “ecopreneur” is an entrepreneur whose business places environmental sustainability at its core while also aiming to create economic and social value.

YECO focuses on young business leaders who understand the environmental challenges their enterprises address and have solutions with potential to grow. Rather than concentrating only on recognising successful ideas, the programme combines capacity-building and acceleration support with an awards platform intended to showcase promising youth-led businesses.

The programme particularly highlights two areas:

• Land restoration: Business solutions that help restore degraded land, improve ecosystem conditions or support sustainable land management.
• Green business solutions: Enterprises that contribute to environmental sustainability, climate action, resource efficiency, circularity or other environmentally beneficial outcomes.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen the wider ecosystem that supports young green entrepreneurs. This includes helping business support organisations build their capacity to assist youth-led enterprises and advocating for a fair and inclusive green transition in which young people have a meaningful voice.

Who Implements the YECO Programme?

International Trade Centre (ITC) and Ye! Community

The International Trade Centre is an international organisation focused on trade and enterprise development. Through its Ye! Community and Youth and Trade Programme, ITC supports young entrepreneurs and connects them with resources and opportunities that can help their businesses grow. Within YECO, the Ye! Community provides a platform for youth entrepreneurship and engagement.

G20 Global Land Initiative and UNCCD

The G20 Global Land Initiative, associated with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), works to advance action on land restoration and related sustainability challenges. Its involvement reflects YECO’s focus on land restoration, sustainable land management and the role young entrepreneurs can play in addressing environmental degradation.

Other programme partners

The programme information also names several partners associated with its benefits and awards:

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• Sidley Austin, an international law firm.
• Google for Startups’ Startups for Sustainable Development programme.
• Ernst & Young (EY).

The supplied information describes preferential access to certain partner services and programmes. This does not mean every applicant is guaranteed access to every partner benefit; specific conditions may apply.

YECO 2026/27: Who Is Eligible to Apply?

YECO is intended for young entrepreneurs under the age of 35 who have a leadership role in a business addressing land restoration or green business challenges. The programme distinguishes between individual applicant requirements and business requirements.

Applicant requirements

Applicants must meet the following stated conditions:

• Age: Be under 35 by the application deadline.
• Business leadership: Be a founder, co-founder or chief executive officer (CEO) of the business.
• Relevant solution: Have a clear understanding of the environmental challenge the business addresses and a solution with potential to scale.

The website defines youth as individuals aged 15 to 35, while its eligibility wording says applicants must be under 35 by the deadline. Because these statements may be interpreted differently by applicants who are exactly 35, prospective applicants should confirm the precise age rule in the live application guidelines.

Business eligibility requirements

The business must meet the stated requirements:

• Legal registration: The business must be legally registered.
• Youth leadership: The business must be majority-run by a young person.
• Environmental focus: The business must focus on land restoration or green business solutions.
• Growth potential: The solution should be ready for support that can help accelerate and scale its impact.

Applicants should be prepared to explain the environmental problem their business addresses, how the solution works, who benefits from it and how the business could grow.

Geographic eligibility

The programme states that the Global Bootcamp is open worldwide, while the Global Accelerator is reserved for eligible countries. Applicants should check the official eligible-country list to determine whether their business qualifies for the accelerator. The supplied information does not reproduce that list, so applicants should not assume every country is eligible for every phase.

What Does the YECO Programme Include?

YECO is structured as a pathway that supports young entrepreneurs from early-stage learning through acceleration, recognition and business growth. The programme information identifies four main components.

Global Bootcamp

The Global Bootcamp is designed to help participating entrepreneurs kick-start their development journey through dynamic training and e-learning. This component can help entrepreneurs strengthen their understanding of business development, review their business models, identify gaps and consider how to make their solutions more effective and scalable.

The bootcamp is described as open globally. Applicants should still consult the current programme guidelines for the application process, dates and participation conditions.

Global Accelerator

The Global Accelerator is intended to provide tailored support to eligible businesses through personalised coaching, mentorship and masterclasses. These forms of support can help entrepreneurs assess business strategies, improve operations, strengthen market readiness and develop plans for scaling environmental impact.

The accelerator is reserved for eligible countries. Applicants should verify their country’s eligibility before assuming they can participate in this phase.

Youth Ecopreneur Awards

The Youth Ecopreneur Awards provide a platform for selected entrepreneurs to showcase their solutions on a global stage. The awards recognise businesses contributing to land restoration and green business solutions. The programme information states that a winner in each category can receive USD 10,000 in prize money.

The awards can help bring attention to youth-led businesses and their contributions to sustainability, circularity and the green economy. Applicants should consult current award rules for categories, selection criteria and prize conditions.

Scale and Impact Phase

The Scale and Impact Phase is intended to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and expand the reach of their solutions. Scaling may involve reaching more customers or communities, strengthening partnerships, improving production or delivery, and increasing measurable environmental benefits. The exact activities and support available in this phase should be confirmed through the programme’s current materials.

Key Benefits of the Youth Ecopreneur Programme

YECO combines business-development support with opportunities for funding, mentoring, visibility and professional guidance. The programme website lists several potential benefits.

Capacity-building for business growth

Participants can access capacity-building support designed to help them scale their ventures. This may help entrepreneurs strengthen business planning, operations and their ability to deliver environmental outcomes.

Seed funding for the land-restoration cohort

The programme describes a shared pool of USD 100,000 in equity-free seed funding for the land-restoration cohort in total. This is a collective funding pool, not a promise that each participant will receive USD 100,000. The supplied information does not specify individual allocation amounts or guarantee funding to every applicant. Applicants should consult the current rules to understand how funding is awarded.

Access to a global network and exposure

YECO aims to connect young entrepreneurs with a wider network of peers and stakeholders. International exposure can help businesses share their work, learn from other founders and build relationships relevant to their development.

Mentorship and coaching

Mentorship and coaching can give entrepreneurs an opportunity to receive feedback on business models, strategies and growth plans. Tailored guidance may help founders identify challenges and make more informed decisions about scaling their solutions.

Legal and intellectual property guidance

Legal and intellectual property (IP) guidance can be important for businesses developing new technologies, products, processes or brands. Understanding intellectual property and legal considerations can help entrepreneurs protect relevant assets and manage business risks.

Preferential access to pro bono legal services

The programme lists preferential access to pro bono legal services from Sidley Austin. Pro bono services are legal services provided without professional fees, subject to the provider’s eligibility requirements and availability. The wording indicates preferential access rather than an unconditional guarantee of legal support for every applicant.

Preferential access to Google’s Startups for Sustainable Development programme

YECO lists preferential access to Google’s Startups for Sustainable Development programme as a potential benefit. Eligible ventures may be able to explore further support associated with the programme. Applicants should check current eligibility and participation terms.

One-on-one coaching with EY experts

The programme includes one-on-one coaching sessions with experts from Ernst & Young (EY). Such sessions may help entrepreneurs discuss business challenges, growth priorities and areas where specialist advice could be useful. The exact availability and scope of coaching should be checked in the current programme details.

All-expenses-paid trip for award finalists

The programme states that award finalists can receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference. The supplied information does not specify the conference, travel conditions, number of finalists or precise expenses covered. Applicants should refer to the official rules for clarification.

USD 10,000 Youth Ecopreneur Award

The programme states that a winner in each award category can receive USD 10,000 in prize money. This award is distinct from the shared USD 100,000 seed-funding pool described for the land-restoration cohort. Applicants should check the official award conditions to understand category requirements, judging criteria and how prize funding is allocated.

The Environmental Challenges YECO Seeks to Address

YECO is centred on youth-led green businesses that combine entrepreneurship with environmental and social impact. Its approach focuses on three broad areas.

Supporting youth-led green business solutions

The programme aims to empower young entrepreneurs to drive sustainable development, environmental justice and climate action. It seeks to provide tailored support, mentorship and funding opportunities to youth-led businesses working on land restoration, environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Young entrepreneurs can contribute in different ways depending on the challenges their businesses address. The important point is that the solution should have a clear environmental purpose and a credible business model.

Strengthening the land-restoration ecosystem

YECO seeks to strengthen the institutions and organisations that support land restoration and youth entrepreneurship. This includes building the capacity of business support organisations to provide green business opportunities and better services for young entrepreneurs. Stronger support systems can help enterprises access the guidance and resources needed to develop and expand their solutions.

Advocating for a green and just transition

The programme aims to showcase youth-led green solutions in international forums and advocate for an inclusive green transition that gives young people a voice. A just transition considers how the move towards more sustainable economies can be inclusive and responsive to the needs of different communities. YECO highlights young entrepreneurs as contributors to this transition, not simply as beneficiaries of environmental programmes.

YECO’s 2025 Youth Ecopreneur Award Winners

The programme website highlights two 2025 winners: Helton Traders Limited and Satellites on Fire. According to the supplied information, each received USD 10,000 in funding and capacity-building support to help scale its business.

Helton Traders Limited: Green Business Solutions

Led by Hellen Munyasa, Helton Traders Limited won the Green Business Solutions category. The business was recognised for transforming plastic waste into affordable textile materials while creating green jobs. Its approach connects waste reduction and material reuse with business development and employment opportunities.

This example illustrates how green businesses can address environmental problems while developing products and supporting economic activity.

Satellites on Fire: Land Restoration

Led by Camila Maria Saa, Satellites on Fire won the Land Restoration category. The business developed an artificial-intelligence-powered wildfire early-warning system designed to protect ecosystems and communities. Its solution demonstrates how technology can be applied to environmental monitoring and risk reduction.

The example reflects the programme’s interest in scalable solutions that combine innovation with practical environmental benefits.

Red Diamond Compost: People’s Choice

Red Diamond Compost received a special mention as the People’s Choice winner following votes from in-person and online participants.

The supplied information states that prizes were provided by ITC, the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD, WIPO, Google’s Startups for Sustainable Development programme, Sidley Austin and EY. The winners were recognised for their contributions to sustainability, circularity and the green economy, with a focus on land restoration.

Explain the environmental problem

Describe the specific problem your business addresses. Explain why it matters, which people or ecosystems are affected and how the problem is currently being managed.

Describe the solution and what makes it useful

Explain your product, service or business model in clear terms. Show how it responds to the environmental challenge and what makes it practical or distinctive.

Demonstrate business readiness and growth potential

YECO is looking for scalable solutions. Applicants should be ready to explain how the business operates, who its customers or beneficiaries are, what progress it has made and how it could grow.

Confirm legal registration and youth leadership

Ensure that the business is legally registered and meets the programme’s majority-run-by-a-young-person requirement. Be prepared to provide accurate details if the application process requests supporting evidence.

Clarify your role in the business

The applicant must be a founder, co-founder or CEO. Clearly describe your position and responsibilities rather than relying on a general association with the business.

Identify the relevant programme track

Determine whether your solution is best aligned with land restoration or green business solutions. Also check whether your country is eligible for the accelerator, since the website states that this component is limited to eligible countries.

Describe the potential for environmental impact

Where possible, prepare evidence of your business’s results. Depending on the solution, this might include waste diverted from disposal, land restored, ecosystems protected, people reached, jobs created or other relevant indicators. Use figures that can be supported and avoid overstating results.

These are practical preparation suggestions based on the programme description, not a substitute for the official application criteria or scoring rubric.

Is YECO Open to Applicants Worldwide?

The programme information states that the Global Bootcamp is open globally. The Global Accelerator is limited to eligible countries. This distinction is important: an entrepreneur may be able to apply for or participate in one part of the programme without automatically qualifying for every other component.

Because the eligible-country list is not included in the supplied text, applicants should visit the official YECO website and review the current list before applying. They should also confirm any country-specific requirements, deadlines and application procedures directly with the programme.

Application Deadline and How to Apply

The website information promotes YECO 2026/27 and includes an “Apply Now” section. However, the supplied text does not state a specific application deadline.

Application deadline: Not specified in the information provided.

Click to  send your Application Here

• Check the current application deadline and time zone.
• Review the age requirement and business eligibility conditions.
• Confirm that the business is legally registered and majority-run by a young person.
• Confirm that the applicant is a founder, co-founder or CEO.
• Identify whether the business focuses on land restoration or green business solutions.
• Review the eligible-country list for the accelerator.
• Read the current programme rules concerning funding, awards, travel and partner benefits.
• Submit accurate information through the official application portal.

Applicants should not assume that the shared funding pool, award prize money, coaching, legal support or conference travel is guaranteed to every person who applies. These benefits may depend on selection, eligibility and the terms of each programme component.

Frequently Asked Questions About YECO 2026/27

What does YECO stand for?

YECO stands for the Youth Ecopreneur Programme.

Who implements the programme?

The programme is implemented by ITC’s Ye! Community and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD.

Who can apply?

The programme is intended for applicants under 35 by the application deadline who are founders, co-founders or CEOs of legally registered, youth-majority-run businesses focused on land restoration or green business solutions. Applicants should confirm the exact age interpretation in the current guidelines.

Is the programme open to all countries?

The Global Bootcamp is described as open globally. The Global Accelerator is limited to eligible countries, so applicants should check the official list.

What support does YECO provide?

The programme describes a Global Bootcamp, Global Accelerator, Youth Ecopreneur Awards and Scale and Impact Phase. Benefits may include capacity-building, mentorship, coaching, networking, legal and IP guidance, potential funding and exposure opportunities, subject to the relevant programme conditions.

Is there funding available?

The programme information describes a shared USD 100,000 equity-free seed-funding pool for the land-restoration cohort in total. It also states that a winner in each award category can receive USD 10,000. These amounts are not guaranteed payments to every applicant.

Does YECO provide travel support?

The programme states that award finalists can receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference. Applicants should check the current terms for details.

What is the application deadline?

The information supplied here does not state a specific deadline for YECO 2026/27. Check the official website and application portal for the latest date.

Where can I apply?

Visit the official website at https://yeco.community/ and use the “Apply Now” section to locate the current application process.

Conclusion

The Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026/27 offers a support pathway for young entrepreneurs developing scalable business solutions to environmental challenges. Implemented by ITC’s Ye! Community and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD, the programme combines training, acceleration, mentorship, networking, awards and potential funding opportunities to help youth-led enterprises grow while contributing to land restoration and green business development.

Its benefits may include a shared equity-free seed-funding pool for the land-restoration cohort, coaching and mentorship, legal and intellectual property guidance, preferential access to selected partner programmes, international exposure and USD 10,000 awards for winners in each category. These benefits are subject to eligibility, selection and the terms of the relevant programme components.

The experiences of the 2025 winners—Helton Traders Limited, which transforms plastic waste into textile materials, and Satellites on Fire, which uses AI for wildfire early warning—illustrate the range of business approaches that can contribute to environmental sustainability.

Young entrepreneurs interested in applying should carefully review the eligibility requirements, confirm the legal status and youth leadership of their business, prepare clear evidence of their environmental solution and growth potential, and verify whether their country is eligible for the accelerator. Since no specific application deadline was included in the supplied information, applicants should consult the official YECO website for the latest dates and instructions.

By supporting youth-led innovation, sustainable enterprise and environmental action, YECO seeks to help young entrepreneurs scale solutions that contribute to land restoration, climate resilience and a more sustainable future.

 

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