Deadline: December 31, 2025
The UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education 2026 is a global initiative designed to empower young leaders who are transforming climate education in their communities. This prestigious fellowship supports youth-led projects that strengthen climate learning, inspire action, and shape policy. With funding, mentorship, and global visibility, the programme equips young innovators to influence how the world understands and responds to the climate crisis.
About the UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education 2026
The fellowship brings together up to 12 young climate leaders from around the world to collaborate on advancing climate education within schools, communities, and digital spaces. It aims to elevate youth voices, support innovative education models, and build the next generation of climate-education champions.
Selected fellows receive up to US $20,000 to strengthen, expand, or sustain their climate-education initiatives. The programme runs from February 2026 to July 2027 and requires a weekly commitment of approximately 4–5 hours.
Types of Climate-Education Initiatives Eligible for Support
Applicants must be leading or representing an existing initiative. Eligible initiatives may include:
1. School-Based Climate Education
- Integrating climate topics into school curricula
- Establishment and coordination of climate clubs
- Developing networks that connect schools around climate learning
2. Policy and Government Engagement
- Working with policymakers to improve national or regional climate-education systems
- Advocating for youth inclusion in climate and education decision-making
3. Rights-Based or Justice-Focused Climate Education
- Addressing climate change through the lens of human rights, equity, or climate justice
- Programmes supporting marginalised communities
4. Community or Informal Climate Education
- Grassroots climate-awareness campaigns
- Community climate-resilience programmes
- Local participatory education projects
5. Digital and Media-Based Education
- Digital learning platforms on climate issues
- Storytelling, video-based awareness projects, or multimedia campaigns
- Online youth engagement around climate action
Any initiative that helps communities learn, adapt, engage, or act on climate change is considered relevant.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, applicants must:
- Be between 10 and 30 years old
- Lead or represent an existing climate-education project (formal or informal)
- Commit 4–5 hours weekly throughout the fellowship period (February 2026 – July 2027)
- Be able to work proficiently in English (knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage)
Benefits of the Fellowship
Successful fellows will receive:
1. Grant Funding
Up to US $20,000 to support the development, expansion, or sustainability of their climate-education project.
2. Stipend
A participation stipend to support their time and engagement throughout the fellowship.
3. Technical Mentorship
Access to experts, research partners, and UNICEF specialists offering guidance in education, climate action, youth engagement, systems thinking, and child rights.
4. Global Visibility
Opportunities for:
- Speaking engagements
- Participation in high-level policy dialogues
- Collaboration with international youth advocates
- Global recognition for their initiative
5. Skills Development
Exposure to climate advocacy, research, foresight, programme design, and education reform.
Application Details
- Deadline: 31 December 2025
- Application Format:
- Six sections
- Takes approximately 45–60 minutes
- Includes a short 90-second video introduction
Applicants must concisely present their initiative, impact, goals, and vision for climate education.
Why Apply?
This fellowship is ideal for young people who are:
- Leading change in climate education
- Passionate about climate justice, youth empowerment, and sustainability
- Working to influence schools, communities, or digital spaces
- Seeking funding, mentorship, and global visibility
If you are committed to advancing climate education and shaping a more sustainable future, the UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education 2026 offers the platform and resources to amplify your impact.
Apply & Learn More
👉 Read More About the Programme
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