The Youth Impact – Because You Matter – For Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action initiative is a powerful program driven by UNESCO, in partnership with Nestlé.

Powered by the Nestlé Youth Entrepreneurship Platform, this initiative aims to support young individuals in making a positive impact on their communities through climate action and environmental sustainability efforts.

Through this program, young people will receive the resources, tools, and skills they need to turn their innovative ideas into real-world solutions.

Whether it’s tackling climate change or improving sustainability practices, this initiative is designed to help youth-led projects thrive and create lasting change.

Key Focus Areas for Projects

The initiative focuses on several important areas where young people can make a difference:

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Strategies that address climate challenges while benefiting local communities.
Sustainable Food Systems: Projects that promote sustainable practices in food production, consumption, and waste reduction.
Regenerative Agricultural Practices: Initiatives that foster eco-friendly farming methods.
Packaging Sustainability Innovations: Solutions aimed at reducing waste and creating sustainable packaging alternatives.

Who Can Apply?

This initiative is open to young individuals, youth-led organizations, enterprises, and networks, especially those working at the grassroots level.

Here’s who’s eligible:

Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old at the start of the project, based on their country’s definition of youth, or within this age range if no national definition exists.
Activism and Entrepreneurship: Whether individually or as part of a group, applicants should be involved in activism, change-making, or entrepreneurial activities.
Youth-Led Organizations: Organizations aiming for local or national impact, or even branches of international organizations, can also apply. The project should be implemented in the country where the proposal will take place.
Team Requirements: All applications must involve a team of at least three young people, with one project leader clearly identified.

What’s on Offer?

Selected project leaders will receive significant support to help bring their ideas to life:

Grants: 100 project leaders worldwide will each receive a grant of USD 8,500 to fund their initiatives.
Training and Mentorship: Grantees will benefit from tailored training sessions and one-on-one mentorship from Nestlé experts, guiding them through the project implementation process.

Benefits of the Program

The Youth Impact initiative offers a unique opportunity for participants to develop their projects and skills. The 100 grantees will be part of a transformative 6-month journey, which includes:

Immersion Training: Engage in workshops focusing on entrepreneurship, project management, and the power of youth-driven action, led by Nestlé experts.
Contextualized Online Training: Receive region-specific training tailored to the challenges and priorities of your geographical area, with support from UNESCO regional partners.
Monthly Online Sessions: Gain valuable insights on project management and societal issues, plus access to Nestlé’s Innovation Box for learning ideation, prototyping, and pitching skills.
One-on-One Mentorship: Work closely with a Nestlé executive mentor who will provide personalized guidance throughout the project.

Important Dates

Application Period: March 18 – April 8, 2025
Project Evaluation: April 9 – June 9, 2025
Award Ceremony: September 18, 2025
Capability Building Program: August 2025 – April 2026

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this impactful initiative—applications close on April 8, 2025.