Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026/27: $100,000 Seed Funding, Mentorship and Global Opportunities for Young Green Entrepreneurs

Young entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions to climate change, land degradation, environmental sustainability, and green business challenges have an opportunity to access international support through the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026/27. Implemented by the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Ye! Community and the G20 Global Land Initiative under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the programme supports young entrepreneurs working to build and scale businesses that contribute to a more sustainable future.

YECO is designed for young business founders, co-founders, and chief executive officers (CEOs) who have developed solutions to environmental challenges and want to strengthen their ventures through capacity-building, mentorship, business acceleration, and international exposure. Its focus areas include land restoration and green business solutions, with the broader goal of empowering young innovators to contribute to sustainable development, environmental justice, and climate resilience.

The programme offers a combination of training, e-learning, personalised coaching, masterclasses, networking, and opportunities to showcase green businesses internationally. It also provides access to a shared pool of US$100,000 in equity-free seed funding for the land-restoration cohort, alongside a chance for selected award winners to receive US$10,000 in prize money per award category.

Other benefits include legal and intellectual property guidance, preferential access to pro bono legal services from Sidley Austin, opportunities connected to Google’s Startups for Sustainable Development programme, and one-on-one coaching sessions with experts from Ernst & Young (EY). Award finalists may also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference.

The programme is intended for young entrepreneurs under the age of 35 who lead legally registered businesses that are majority-run by a young person and focus on land restoration or green business solutions. The global bootcamp is open internationally, while participation in the accelerator is restricted to eligible countries. Applicants must check the official country list and current application requirements before applying.

The programme website promotes the 2026/27 edition, but the supplied information does not specify an exact application deadline. Interested entrepreneurs should visit the official YECO website for the current application form, eligible-country list, and submission timetable.

Key Details of the Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2026/27

• Programme name: Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO)
• Programme cycle: 2026/27
• Implementing organisations: International Trade Centre’s Ye! Community and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD
• Target participants: Young entrepreneurs under the age of 35
• Eligible leadership roles: Founder, co-founder, or CEO
• Business requirements: Legally registered and majority-run by a young person
• Business focus: Land restoration or green business solutions
• Global bootcamp: Open globally
• Global accelerator: Restricted to eligible countries
• Seed funding: Shared pool of US$100,000 for the land-restoration cohort, equity-free
• Youth Ecopreneur Award: US$10,000 in prize money for one winner per category
• Additional benefits: Training, e-learning, mentorship, coaching, masterclasses, legal and intellectual property guidance, networking, and international exposure
• Conference opportunity: All-expenses-paid trip for award finalists, as described in the programme information
• Application deadline: November 22nd, 2026

Applicants should confirm the current programme structure, country eligibility, funding conditions, and application deadline through the official YECO platform before submitting an application.

What Is the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO)?

The Youth Ecopreneur Programme is an initiative designed to help young entrepreneurs develop and scale businesses that address environmental challenges. It brings together capacity-building, business acceleration, networking, funding opportunities, and international visibility to support youth-led green innovation.

The programme is implemented by the International Trade Centre’s Ye! Community and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD. It works with partners and support organisations to strengthen the ability of young entrepreneurs to build viable businesses while contributing to environmental sustainability.

YECO developed from an awards programme into a broader support initiative for young green entrepreneurs. The programme’s website reports that its 2025 edition received more than 1,500 applications from over 100 countries, demonstrating international interest in land restoration and green business solutions.

Rather than focusing only on recognising promising entrepreneurs, YECO offers a development pathway intended to help participating businesses improve their capabilities, strengthen their operations, access relevant networks, and expand their impact.

The programme’s central idea is that young entrepreneurs can contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development by building businesses that respond to practical environmental problems. These businesses may develop solutions for land restoration, resource use, circularity, climate resilience, or other green business challenges.

Through training, mentorship, acceleration, and exposure to international stakeholders, YECO aims to help entrepreneurs move their solutions towards greater scale and sustainability.

Who Is the Youth Ecopreneur Programme Designed For?

YECO is intended for young entrepreneurs who have taken a leadership role in a business and are developing a solution to an environmental challenge.

The programme is not simply a general environmental awareness initiative or a training opportunity for anyone interested in climate change. Its stated eligibility requirements focus on entrepreneurs who lead businesses and have solutions that can be developed and scaled.

1. Young entrepreneurs under the age of 35

Applicants must be under 35 years old by the application deadline.

The programme defines youth as individuals aged 15 to 35, but its specific entrepreneur eligibility requirement states that applicants must be under 35 by the deadline. Candidates should therefore pay attention to the exact age requirement for the current application cycle rather than relying on the broader definition alone.

2. Founders, co-founders, or CEOs

Applicants must be a founder, co-founder, or chief executive officer of the business they are applying with.

This requirement indicates that the programme is intended for people who have a meaningful leadership role in developing and directing the business. Individuals who are only employees, volunteers, or supporters of an enterprise should check the official eligibility guidance to determine whether they qualify.

3. Leaders of legally registered businesses

The business must be legally registered and majority-run by a young person.

Applicants should be prepared to verify that their enterprise meets the programme’s business requirements. The supplied announcement does not specify the accepted registration documents, ownership thresholds beyond the stated majority-run requirement, or the full rules for different legal structures.

These details should be confirmed through the official application guidance.

4. Entrepreneurs focused on land restoration or green business solutions

The business must focus on land restoration or green business solutions.

YECO seeks entrepreneurs who understand the environmental challenge their business addresses and have a solution with potential for further development and scale.

Applicants should clearly explain the environmental problem they are tackling, how their business responds to that problem, and how the proposed support could help strengthen the solution.

Learn More HERE

What Types of Businesses and Solutions Are Relevant to YECO?

The programme focuses on two broad areas: land restoration and green business solutions.

These themes reflect YECO’s objective of supporting youth-led enterprises that combine business development with environmental sustainability.

Land restoration solutions

Land restoration involves efforts to improve degraded land and strengthen the ecological functions of landscapes. Businesses in this area may develop products, services, or technologies that help restore land, protect ecosystems, or improve the management of natural resources.

The 2025 programme winners illustrate the programme’s interest in practical, technology-enabled environmental solutions. Satellites on Fire, led by Camila Maria Saa, won the Land Restoration category for developing an AI-powered wildfire early-warning system designed to protect ecosystems and communities.

This example demonstrates how digital technology can be applied to environmental challenges. It should not be interpreted as a requirement that all applicants use artificial intelligence or develop wildfire-related products; the supplied announcement does not impose either condition.

Green business solutions

Green business solutions address environmental challenges through products, services, business models, or technologies that contribute to sustainability.

The programme’s 2025 Green Business Solutions winner, Helton Traders Limited, led by Hellen Munyasa, transformed plastic waste into affordable textile materials while creating green jobs.

This example highlights the potential of circular business models to turn waste into useful materials while supporting economic opportunities.

Green businesses may work across different environmental issues, but applicants must demonstrate that their proposed solution fits YECO’s current programme focus and eligibility requirements.

Scalable environmental innovation

YECO looks for entrepreneurs who understand the environmental challenges they address and have solutions ready for acceleration.

Applicants should therefore explain not only why the environmental issue matters, but also how their business works, who benefits from it, what progress it has made, and how the proposed support could help it grow.

The programme’s emphasis on scaling means that entrepreneurs should review the application criteria carefully and show how their businesses can strengthen their operations and expand their environmental impact.

Youth Ecopreneur Programme Benefits: Funding, Mentorship and Business Acceleration

YECO combines several forms of support intended to help young green entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses. Benefits described on the programme website include capacity-building, funding opportunities, mentorship, coaching, legal guidance, international exposure, and connections to relevant organisations.

Specific benefits may differ according to the programme phase, cohort, eligibility conditions, and selection outcome.

1. Equity-free seed funding

One of the programme’s major benefits is a shared pool of US$100,000 in equity-free seed funding for the land-restoration cohort.

Equity-free funding means the funding is described as not requiring the recipient to give up ownership equity in the business. However, applicants should review the programme’s official terms for any conditions attached to the funding.

The US$100,000 figure represents the total pool for the land-restoration cohort, not a guaranteed US$100,000 award for every participant. The supplied announcement does not specify the number of recipients, individual award amounts, or the exact allocation process.

Entrepreneurs interested in this funding should confirm the applicable criteria and selection arrangements through the official programme information.

2. US$10,000 Youth Ecopreneur Award

The programme also offers a chance to win US$10,000 in prize money, with one award winner per category, as described on the website.

This award provides recognition and financial support for selected entrepreneurs whose solutions stand out in the programme.

The 2025 edition recognised businesses in the Green Business Solutions and Land Restoration categories. A People’s Choice Award was also mentioned in the 2025 results, but applicants should not assume that every award or category from a previous edition will operate in exactly the same way in 2026/27.

The current award categories, judging criteria, and eligibility rules should be checked on the official website.

3. Capacity-building for business growth

YECO offers capacity-building designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses and prepare for growth.

Developing a green business can involve challenges related to strategy, operations, market development, financing, partnerships, and the ability to deliver a solution consistently. Capacity-building can help entrepreneurs assess these areas and identify what they need to improve.

The programme’s broader objective is to help young entrepreneurs scale their ventures and increase their contribution to sustainable development.

4. Mentorship and personalised coaching

Participants can benefit from mentorship and coaching intended to support their business development.

Personalised support can help entrepreneurs examine their business models, clarify growth priorities, and address challenges affecting the implementation or expansion of their solutions.

The programme also lists one-on-one coaching sessions with experts from Ernst & Young (EY). Applicants should check the current programme information for the availability and terms of these sessions.

5. Masterclasses and e-learning

The Global Bootcamp includes dynamic training and e-learning. The Global Accelerator adds masterclasses and more personalised support.

These activities are intended to help entrepreneurs develop relevant knowledge and strengthen their ability to manage and grow their businesses.

The specific curriculum, delivery schedule, and participation requirements should be verified through the current programme details.

6. Access to a global network and international exposure

YECO provides opportunities to connect with a global network and gain exposure for youth-led green businesses.

Networking and visibility can help entrepreneurs introduce their solutions to relevant stakeholders, learn from other founders, and identify potential opportunities for collaboration.

The programme also aims to showcase youth-led solutions at international forums and strengthen recognition of young entrepreneurs’ contributions to land restoration and green innovation.

7. Legal and intellectual property guidance

The programme lists legal and intellectual property guidance among its benefits.

Legal and intellectual property issues can be important for businesses developing new products, services, technologies, or commercial models. Guidance in these areas can help entrepreneurs better understand relevant considerations as they develop their ventures.

YECO also offers preferential access to pro bono legal services from Sidley Austin. This should be understood as preferential access rather than an unconditional guarantee that every participant will receive every type of legal service.

8. Preferential access to Google’s Startups for Sustainable Development programme

YECO lists preferential access to the Google Startups for Sustainable Development programme as another benefit.

This creates a potential pathway for eligible participants to explore additional support connected to sustainable development and entrepreneurship. Applicants should check the current terms and eligibility requirements before assuming that access guarantees admission to another programme.

9. All-expenses-paid international conference trip for award finalists

The programme states that award finalists can receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference.

This offers selected finalists an opportunity for international exposure and engagement with wider sustainability and entrepreneurship discussions.

The supplied information does not identify the specific conference, destination, dates, or detailed travel arrangements for the 2026/27 cycle. Applicants should check the official programme updates for confirmation.

How the Youth Ecopreneur Programme Works

The YECO programme is organised into four main phases: the Global Bootcamp, Global Accelerator, Youth Ecopreneur Awards, and Scale and Impact Phase.

These components are designed to provide a progression from foundational training and business development to recognition and support for scaling impact.

Phase 1: Global Bootcamp

The Global Bootcamp is designed to kick-start entrepreneurs’ participation through dynamic training and e-learning.

This phase provides a foundation for developing business capabilities and preparing participants for the broader programme. Entrepreneurs can use the training to strengthen their understanding of relevant business challenges and identify areas where their ventures may need additional support.

The programme describes the bootcamp as globally open. However, applicants should confirm the exact entry conditions, registration process, and participation requirements for the current edition.

Phase 2: Global Accelerator

The Global Accelerator provides personalised coaching, mentorship, and masterclasses intended to help entrepreneurs take their sustainable solutions to the next level.

The accelerator is reserved for eligible countries, according to the supplied programme information. This is an important distinction: access to the globally open bootcamp does not automatically mean that an entrepreneur or business is eligible for the accelerator.

Applicants should consult the programme’s current eligible-country list before applying and verify whether the country rules apply to the business, the entrepreneur, or both.

The accelerator’s purpose is to support business development and scaling rather than simply provide general training.

Phase 3: Youth Ecopreneur Awards

The Youth Ecopreneur Awards provide a platform for selected businesses to showcase their solutions on an international stage.

The awards recognise youth-led innovation connected to green business and land restoration. The programme information describes a US$10,000 prize for one winner per category.

Award finalists may also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference, according to the programme’s stated benefits.

Applicants should check the current edition’s categories, selection process, and award conditions because these may differ from previous editions.

Phase 4: Scale and Impact Phase

The Scale and Impact Phase is intended to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and expand their impact.

This phase reflects the programme’s wider ambition to support enterprises beyond initial idea development. The emphasis is on helping young entrepreneurs strengthen their ventures and increase the reach or effectiveness of their solutions.

The exact activities, eligibility requirements, and selection arrangements for this phase should be verified through the official YECO programme information.

Global Bootcamp Versus Global Accelerator: What Applicants Should Know

One of the most important details in the YECO announcement is the difference between the Global Bootcamp and the Global Accelerator.

Programme component	Main purpose	Geographic access
Global Bootcamp	Training and e-learning to kick-start entrepreneurs’ development	Open globally, according to the supplied announcement
Global Accelerator	Personalised coaching, mentorship, and masterclasses to support business growth	Restricted to eligible countries
Youth Ecopreneur Awards	Showcase selected solutions and recognise outstanding entrepreneurs	Selection and participation conditions should be checked for the current edition
Scale and Impact Phase	Support business growth and expansion of impact	Current eligibility and selection arrangements should be verified

This distinction is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs applying from countries outside the accelerator’s eligible list. They should not assume that all programme components are available to every applicant.

The official website provides an eligible-country list for the accelerator. Applicants should consult that list directly before making decisions about eligibility.

What Can Applicants Learn From the 2025 Youth Ecopreneur Winners?

The 2025 winners provide examples of the types of environmental and green business solutions that have received recognition through YECO.

These examples illustrate the programme’s emphasis on practical innovation and business solutions with environmental value. They are not a guarantee that similar businesses will win in the 2026/27 cycle.

Helton Traders Limited: Green Business Solutions

Helton Traders Limited, led by Hellen Munyasa, won the Green Business Solutions category.

The business was recognised for transforming plastic waste into affordable textile materials while creating green jobs.

Its approach demonstrates how a business can address waste-related challenges while developing useful materials and supporting economic activity. It also illustrates the connection between circularity, environmental sustainability, and green enterprise.

Satellites on Fire: Land Restoration

Satellites on Fire, led by Camila Maria Saa, won the Land Restoration category.

The business developed an AI-powered wildfire early-warning system intended to protect ecosystems and communities.

Its recognition illustrates how technology can contribute to environmental protection and land-related challenges. It also shows that green business innovation can involve technology-enabled services, rather than only physical products or traditional conservation activities.

Red Diamond Compost: People’s Choice Award

Red Diamond Compost, led by Joshua Forte, received a special mention as the People’s Choice winner.

The recognition was based on votes from in-person and online participants, according to the supplied programme information.

This award highlighted the role of public engagement in recognising environmental entrepreneurship.

What these examples mean for future applicants

The 2025 results show that YECO has recognised businesses addressing different environmental challenges, including plastic waste, green jobs, and wildfire risk.

Applicants should focus on demonstrating the environmental relevance of their own solution, the role of the business in addressing the problem, and its potential for development or scale. They should not assume that the exact approaches taken by previous winners are required for the 2026/27 programme.

The current application guidance should be used to determine the applicable selection criteria and award categories.

YECO’s Wider Goals: Youth Entrepreneurship, Land Restoration and a Green Transition

The Youth Ecopreneur Programme is not limited to supporting individual businesses. Its stated approach also includes strengthening the wider ecosystem for land restoration and advocating for a green and just transition.

Empowering youth-led green businesses

YECO aims to empower young entrepreneurs to contribute to sustainable development, environmental justice, and climate action.

Through training, mentorship, and funding opportunities, the programme seeks to support young founders developing business solutions to environmental problems.

Strengthening the land-restoration ecosystem

The programme also seeks to strengthen institutional capacity to support land restoration and green business opportunities for young people.

Its approach includes working with Business Support Organizations to strengthen the ecosystem around land-restoration entrepreneurs and expand the services available to young people developing green business solutions.

This wider focus recognises that entrepreneurs may need support from organisations beyond the programme itself to build and sustain successful ventures.

Advocating for an inclusive green and just transition

YECO seeks to showcase youth-led green solutions in international forums and strengthen youth voices in discussions about an inclusive green and just transition.

This reflects the programme’s objective of ensuring that young entrepreneurs are recognised as contributors to environmental innovation and sustainable economic development.

By bringing youth-led solutions into wider discussions, the programme aims to support recognition of the role young entrepreneurs can play in addressing environmental challenges.

How to Prepare a Strong YECO Application

The supplied announcement does not provide a complete application checklist or scoring rubric. However, the programme’s stated eligibility requirements and focus areas offer useful starting points for applicants preparing to apply.

1. Confirm your age and leadership role

Check that you will be under 35 by the application deadline and that you are the founder, co-founder, or CEO of the business.

Ensure that your role in the enterprise is clear and that you can provide any documentation required by the official application process.

2. Confirm that your business meets the registration requirements

The business must be legally registered and majority-run by a young person.

Review the official rules to determine what registration and ownership evidence is required. Do not assume that an informal project or an unregistered business automatically qualifies.

3. Establish the fit with land restoration or green business solutions

Your business must focus on one of the programme’s stated areas.

Explain the environmental challenge your business addresses and how its products, services, or operations respond to that challenge. The programme is interested in entrepreneurs with a clear understanding of the problems they tackle and solutions that are ready for acceleration.

4. Check country eligibility for the accelerator

The Global Bootcamp is described as open globally, but the Global Accelerator is restricted to eligible countries.

Check the official list before assuming that your business can participate in every phase. If your country is not listed, seek clarification from the programme team about which components may be available to you.

5. Review the funding and award conditions

The programme describes a shared US$100,000 equity-free seed-funding pool for the land-restoration cohort and US$10,000 award prizes for one winner per category.

These are not guaranteed payments to every applicant or participant. Review the current terms to understand the funding allocation, award selection, and any conditions attached to the support.

6. Explain how the business can develop and scale

YECO is designed for entrepreneurs with solutions ready for acceleration and a clear understanding of the environmental challenges they address.

Applicants should use the application to present their business clearly and explain what support they need to strengthen their solution. The programme’s focus on scaling suggests that applicants should pay attention to how their ventures can grow and expand their environmental impact.

7. Use the official application information

The supplied programme text does not specify the application deadline, detailed document requirements, or a complete assessment process.

Before submitting, consult the official website for the current 2026/27 application form, deadline, country list, and programme rules. If information is unclear, contact the International Trade Centre’s youth and trade team.

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Application Deadline for the Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2026/27

The exact application deadline is not stated in the supplied announcement.

The programme website promotes the YECO 2026/27 edition and invites young green entrepreneurs to apply, but it does not provide a specific closing date in the information supplied here.

Interested entrepreneurs should visit the official Youth Ecopreneur Programme website to confirm:

• The opening and closing dates for the current application cycle.
• The online application procedure.
• The eligible-country list for the Global Accelerator.
• The current eligibility requirements.
• The details of seed funding and award prizes.
• Any supporting documents or additional application conditions.

Applicants should not rely on deadlines from earlier editions or assume that the application remains open without checking the current official information.

Contact Information

For programme-related enquiries, the supplied website lists the following contact details:

Implementing organisation: International Trade Centre (ITC)

Email: youthandtrade@intracen.org

Address:
International Trade Centre
54–56 Rue de Montbrillant
Geneva, Switzerland

For the latest programme information, visit the official YECO platform and review the current application details.

• Official programme website: Youth Ecopreneur Programme
• Implementing organisation: International Trade Centre
• Visit HERE to learn more about the FAQs

Conclusion

The Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026/27 offers young entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop and scale businesses focused on land restoration and green business solutions. Implemented by the International Trade Centre’s Ye! Community and the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD, the programme combines training, e-learning, mentorship, coaching, masterclasses, networking, business acceleration, and opportunities for international recognition.

Its stated benefits include a shared pool of US$100,000 in equity-free seed funding for the land-restoration cohort, US$10,000 in prize money for one award winner per category, legal and intellectual property guidance, preferential access to pro bono legal services from Sidley Austin, opportunities connected to Google’s Startups for Sustainable Development programme, and coaching sessions with EY experts. Award finalists may also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference.

The programme is intended for entrepreneurs under 35 who are founders, co-founders, or CEOs of legally registered businesses that are majority-run by a young person and focus on land restoration or green business solutions. While the Global Bootcamp is open globally, the Global Accelerator is restricted to eligible countries, making it essential for applicants to check the official country list.

The supplied announcement does not specify an exact application deadline or guarantee that every participant will receive funding. Interested entrepreneurs should therefore verify the current 2026/27 application timetable, eligibility rules, funding terms, and programme requirements before applying.

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