2026-2027 Competition Now Open

International Youth
Environmental Challenge

Inspire. Innovate. Impact.

Join young environmental leaders from around the world. Submit your project and be part of the solution.

Submission Deadline · October 15, 2026
Register Now Learn More

Free and open to all youth 18 and under

Our Mission

Shaping Tomorrow's Environmental Leaders

The International Youth Environmental Challenge (IYEC) is an annual global event dedicated to empowering youth to address environmental and climate challenges through innovative solutions to local problems.

We believe that young people have the creativity, passion, and determination to make a real difference in their communities and beyond. IYEC provides a platform for students worldwide to showcase their ideas, learn from peers, and gain recognition for their environmental initiatives.

🎯

No Experience Required

Open to all youth passionate about the environment

🌐

Global Participation

Connect with like-minded youth worldwide

💡

Multiple Formats

Express your ideas through essays, videos, or creative media

🌱 Youth for the Planet
Our Global Community

Young Leaders Making Real Impact

Young changemakers from 50+ countries working on innovative environmental solutions

50+
Countries
Global representation
6
Continents
Truly global reach

Where Our Participants Come From

World Map

What Participants Say

"I want to participate in IYEC to showcase my initiative and inspire others to take meaningful action against climate change. Through this platform, I hope to share our journey and raise awareness."
AS
Amanullah Solangi Pakistan - 1st Place Winner
"We believe young people have the power to make a difference. IYEC gave us the platform to share our ideas with the world and connect with like-minded youth globally."
NT
Ngo Anh Tuan Vietnam - 2nd Place Winner
"We want to spread awareness about how harmful microplastics are to the environment. IYEC helped our initiative reach more people and amplify our message."
GS
Girl Scout Troop 436 Alaska, USA - Junior 1st Place
Who Can Participate

Eligibility Requirements

👦

Junior Category

Ages 13 and below

  • Individual or team participation
  • No prior experience needed
  • Projects on any environmental theme
  • Parental/guardian consent required
🧑‍🎓

Senior Category

Ages 14-18

  • Individual or team participation
  • No prior experience needed
  • Advanced project complexity welcome
  • Mentorship opportunities available
Competition Focus Areas

Environmental Themes

Select a local issue related to at least one of these theme areas

🌳

Nature & Protection

Biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, and ecosystem preservation initiatives

💨

Air Quality

Solutions to improve air quality, reduce emissions, and combat air pollution

💧

Water & Bodies of Water

Addressing water pollution, conservation, and protecting aquatic ecosystems

♻️

Waste Management

Innovative approaches to waste reduction, recycling, and circular economy

🌡️

Climate Change

Mitigation strategies, adaptation solutions, and climate resilience projects

How to Submit

Submission Guidelines

01

Written Essays

500-1000 words exploring your environmental solution in depth

PDF or DOC
02

Video Projects

1-5 minutes showcasing your initiative with visual storytelling

MP4 or Link
03

Recorded Speeches

Present your ideas through compelling oral presentation

Audio/Video
04

Creative Media

Art, infographics, apps, or other innovative formats

Digital Link

Important Requirements:

  • Language: All submissions must be in English or include English subtitles
  • Originality: Work must be original with proper attribution for any referenced sources
  • Accessibility: Projects must be accessible via a digital link (Google Drive, YouTube, etc.)
Evaluation Process

How Projects Are Judged

Our evaluation process assesses each submission across five criteria, reviewed by our expert panel.

💡

Innovation & Originality

How creative and original is the approach? Does the project tackle the problem in a new way?

20%
🎯

Environmental Impact & Scale

What is the potential benefit to the environment? Could the solution scale beyond the local context?

20%
⚙️

Feasibility & Practicality

Is the solution realistic and implementable? Are the proposed steps grounded in real-world constraints?

20%
📊

Communication & Presentation

Is the project clearly explained and well presented? Does the submission make a compelling case?

20%
✅

Evidence of Real-World Action

Has the participant taken real steps beyond the idea stage? This includes working prototypes, lab experiments, videos showing the project in action, community deployment, or documented impact. Projects with verifiable evidence are given priority in award consideration.

20%
Recognition & Prizes

Awards Structure

🥇

1st Place

$200

Scholarship Award

  • Certificate of Excellence
  • Website feature
  • Social media recognition
🥈

2nd Place

$150

Scholarship Award

  • Certificate of Achievement
  • Website feature
  • Social media recognition
🥉

Junior Award

$100

Scholarship Award

  • Certificate of Achievement
  • Website feature
  • Encouragement for future participation
⭐

Ingenuity Award

Special

Recognition Award

  • Certificate of Ingenuity
  • Prominent website feature
  • Innovation spotlight
Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

No prior experience is required! IYEC welcomes all young people who are passionate about the environment. Whether you're just starting to learn about environmental issues or have been involved in projects before, your unique perspective is valuable.

Yes! You can participate either individually or as a team. Team participation is encouraged as it allows for collaboration and combining different skills and perspectives to create more comprehensive solutions.

Project complexity can vary based on your age group and experience. Junior participants might focus on simpler, local initiatives, while senior participants may tackle more complex challenges. What matters most is the thoughtfulness of your approach and the potential impact of your solution.

Beyond the scholarship prizes, participants gain valuable experience in research, project development, and presentation skills. You'll also connect with a global community of like-minded youth, receive recognition for your work, and contribute to real environmental solutions.

All submissions must be in English or include English subtitles/translations. This ensures our international panel of judges can fairly evaluate all projects from participants around the world.

You will receive a confirmation email after submitting your project through our Google Forms portal. If you don't receive confirmation within 48 hours, please contact us at iyecteam@gmail.com.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join young environmental leaders from around the world. Submit your project and be part of the solution!

Submission Deadline October 15, 2026
Submit Your Project

Registration is free and open to all youth 18 and under

Get in Touch

Have questions about the competition? We're here to help!

📧

General Inquiries

iyecteam@gmail.com
🤝

Sponsorship

iyecteam@gmail.com