Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026-2027: $10,000 for Green Start-ups
- Study in
- Online (global), developing countries encouraged
- Levels
- Start-up accelerator (founders 35 and under)
- Funding
- $10,000 award prize; share of $100,000 seed pool
- Covers
- Bootcamp training, accelerator coaching, mentoring, legal and IP support, US$10,000 award, equity-free seed funding (land restoration), trip to international conference for finalists
- Who can apply
- Founders aged 35 or younger running youth-led green economy or land restoration start-ups; full accelerator aimed at developing countries
- Run by
- International Trade Centre (Ye! Community) and UNCCD G20 Global Land Initiative
The Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) is a global accelerator for young founders whose businesses help the planet. It is run by the International Trade Centre (ITC) through its Ye! Community, together with the G20 Global Land Initiative of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). You get business training, mentoring, international exposure and a shot at a US$10,000 award. Land restoration businesses can also share a US$100,000 equity-free funding pool. You must be 35 or younger. Founders from developing countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and India, are especially encouraged to apply.
Status: Open, closes 22 November 2026. This is the 2026-2027 round. The official announcement does not give dates for the bootcamp, accelerator or awards (checked October 29, 2026).
What it covers
YECO runs in four stages.
- Global Bootcamp: training and masterclasses on investment readiness and other topics, led by business, legal and intellectual property experts, plus mentoring from the Ye! Community.
- Global Accelerator: a full business assessment followed by tailored training and coaching. Selected founders may get preferential access to pro bono legal help from Sidley Austin, the Google for Startups Sustainable Development programme and one-to-one coaching from EY experts, subject to due diligence.
- Youth Ecopreneur Awards: finalists pitch to an international audience. The YECO programme page lists an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference, pitch training and a US$10,000 prize for the award.
- After the awards: alumni networking, coaching and invitations to sustainability events and trade fairs.
Founders from developed countries can only join the bootcamp. The accelerator and seed funding are aimed at founders from developing countries.
Key details
| Run by | International Trade Centre (Ye! Community) and the UNCCD G20 Global Land Initiative |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Founders aged 35 or younger with a green or land restoration start-up |
| Categories | Land Restoration, or Green Business Solutions |
| Award prize | US$10,000 for winners |
| Seed funding | US$100,000 equity-free pool, shared among eligible Land Restoration businesses |
| Cost to apply | The official pages do not mention any fee |
| Deadline | 22 November 2026 |
| Last call | The 2025 call drew over 1,500 applicants from 125 countries |
Who can apply
- You must be 35 years of age or younger.
- You run a youth-led start-up with an innovative business in the green economy or one that improves land productivity.
- You apply in one category only. Land Restoration covers businesses that protect, manage or restore land, such as reforestation, soil conservation or wildfire prevention. Green Business Solutions covers sustainable products, services or business models, such as circular economy or low-carbon solutions.
- The official announcement does not publish a full list of eligible countries for the accelerator.
How to apply
- Read the official 2026-2027 call from the G20 Global Land Initiative.
- Decide which category fits your business best.
- Go to the YECO application page on the Ye! Community site. You may need to create a free Ye! Community account.
- Complete the online form and submit it before 22 November 2026.
- Check the YECO FAQs if you have questions about selection.
Tips before you apply
- Show clear numbers: hectares restored, waste avoided, customers served, jobs created or revenue.
- Pick the Land Restoration category only if your business truly restores or protects land. Only that track can access the seed funding pool.
- Have a short pitch deck ready. Finalists pitch to investors and an international audience.
- Past winners have gone on to bigger things. The 2025-2026 Green Business Solutions winner, from Uganda, later received a US$20,000 grant through the PayPal Small Business Impact Awards.
- Apply early so you have time to fix any account or upload problems before the deadline.
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- Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2027: Awards for Ages 5 to 20
- KubeCon Europe 2027 Scholarships and Travel Funding in Barcelona
Details are taken from the official G20 Global Land Initiative (UNCCD) and ITC Ye! Community websites, checked on October 29, 2026. Confirm the current rules there before you apply.
