Are you 8–16 and saving the planet? Apply for the Eco-Hero Awards

Action For Nature (AFN) is now accepting applications for its 2026 International Young Eco-Hero Awards, calling on environmental activists aged 8-16 to showcase projects that protect and restore the planet.

Contents

Aim What’s on offer Who can apply Eligibility criteria Requirements Deadline

The awards spotlight young changemakers whose creativity, commitment and hands-on efforts are making a real difference in environmental health.

Aim

The programme celebrates youth-led initiatives that confront environmental threats through direct action, research, advocacy or innovation.

Eligible projects must be self-initiated, action-driven and designed to create measurable impact in areas such as nature conservation, pollution reduction, habitat protection or community education.

What’s on offer

Winners receive global recognition, a media press release, certificates of achievement and cash prizes of up to $1,000.

Awardees also gain access to the Eco-Hero Alumni Facebook group, connecting them with an international network of young environmental leaders.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include:

Youth aged 8 to 16 as of February 28 of the application year.
Individuals whose projects have lasted at least six months.
Applicants whose work is self-directed and not assigned by an adult or teacher.
Young people working in environmental protection, research, advocacy or health.
Inventors who have tested their projects prior to applying.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify, projects must:

Be near completion or completed within the past year.
Go beyond standard Science Fair or Scouting Badge requirements.
Include extra action, outreach, or extended study if linked to those activities.
Exclude projects involving domestic or confined animals.
Exclude compositions, reports, or purely academic studies.
Present scientific entries with a hypothesis, results and measurable environmental impact.