UNICEF seeks young innovators in climate education: Apply now

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has opened applications for its Leading Minds Fellowship Programme, a global initiative aimed at reimagining climate education through youth leadership.

Contents

Focus Funding details Programme structure Selection outcomes Deadline

Focus

The fellowship focuses on youth-led climate education initiatives that operate across both formal and informal learning spaces.

These include school-based approaches such as curriculum development, climate clubs, and education networks, as well as collaborations with governments and education authorities.

The programme seeks to strengthen systems that embed climate learning into how children are taught, supported, and empowered to respond to the climate crisis.

Funding details

Selected fellows will receive a one-time stipend to support their work throughout the Fellowship period, in addition to technical mentorship and leadership development opportunities.

Fellows will also gain access to a global network of youth advocates, practitioners, and partners working at the intersection of climate action and education.

Outstanding initiatives, referred to as “Bright Spots,” may be eligible for additional grant support of up to US$20,000 to document, strengthen and share their models.

Programme structure

The fellowship runs for 18 months and requires a time commitment of approximately four to five hours per week. Participation is primarily virtual, with limited in-person engagements linked to conferences or workshops where feasible.

Eligible candidates include young people who:

Are between 10 and 30 years old.
Are actively leading or strengthening a climate-education initiative.
Demonstrate a clear track record in climate action and education.
Are comfortable working in English.
Bring inclusive, justice-centred perspectives to their work.

Selection outcomes

Up to 12 young climate leaders will be selected to form a global cohort. Fellows will document and elevate their existing climate education “Bright Spot,” contribute to youth-led research and foresight and engage in policy and systems-level dialogue.

Through shared learning, collaboration, and increased visibility, the fellowship aims to influence education systems well beyond the 18-month programme period.