UNEP CTCN Youth Climate Innovation Programme 2024

The Youth Climate Innovation Programme provides a clear pathway for young innovators from ideation to scaling groundbreaking climate technologies in developing countries across four regions Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC), and the Middle East and North Africa. Each component of the fully virtual YCI Programme is designed to equip participants with the skills, resources, and networks needed to turn their innovative ideas into reality.

The programme includes:

• YCI Idea Lab: A 7-day online event where participants learn and apply design thinking methods to ideate and refine climate solutions. Tailored to different regions, the Idea Lab offers mentorship and collaboration opportunities with like-minded peers.
• YCI Incubator: Winning teams from the Idea Lab enter a 12-week intensive incubation phase, where they receive hands-on support to develop their ideas into viable products or services. The incubator includes learning sessions, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning with other regional teams.
• YCI Accelerator: Selected teams from the incubator advance to a 4-week acceleration program, focusing on investment readiness and partnership development. Teams will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas at regional and global climate events, connecting with potential investors and partners.

Benefits of Innovation Programme

• Mentorship and Coaching: Access to +50 experienced mentors and entrepreneurs-in-residence who provide hands-on support.
• Network and Partnerships: Connect with fellow climate innovators, industry experts and potential partners from LAC, MENA, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Join a global innovation community of +250k members from Seedstars’ network and CTCN.
• Funding and Support: Access to a network of +5k investors and institutions focused on climate technology. Free access to start-up tools (e.g. Amazon Web services, Hubspot, Miro, Airtable, Notion, and Twilio among others)
• Strengthen your entrepreneurial skills: Participate in over 30 hours of workshops and practical training focused on business development, climate technology, and scaling your solutions.
• Marketing: Increase your project’s visibility through CTCN and Seedstars platforms and networks.
• Visibility: Participate in-person at a regional or global climate conference to pitch your climate solution.

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Eligibility for Innovation Programme

They are seeking passionate individuals and teams ready to tackle the climate crisis head-on.

• Education/ Experience: At least a Bachelor and/or 3 years of work experience and/or community engagement.
• Age: Between 18 and 35 years old.
• Geography: You are from Africa, MENA, Latin America & the Caribbean or Asia-Pacific.
• Experienced/interested in: Water-energy-food nexus, mobility, energy systems, buildings, and industry.
• Passion for climate action: You have a strong commitment to contributing to climate action.
• Entrepreneurial drive: You are interested in developing a climate idea or are already an entrepreneur.

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Application

The YCI Programme will run between November 2024 and December 2025.

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