Generation Regen Challenge: Presented by BMO

About the Challenge

Agriculture is a cornerstone of economic resilience across Canada and the United States, contributing significantly to GDP, employing millions in both countries, and serving as a major contributor to global food security. As the sector evolves, regenerative agriculture is gaining traction as a climate-smart solution that restores ecosystems, improves soil and water health, strengthens long-term farm resilience, and delivers a wide range of environmental and social benefits. Farmers, innovators, and communities are well positioned to lead a new era of regenerative and sustainable agriculture.

By funding innovative social enterprises and non-profits, the challenge supports solutions that restore ecosystems, sequester carbon, and rebuild resilient local food systems. The Challenge aims to help innovators lead a global transition toward agriculture that nourishes the land while feeding its people equitably and sustainably.

Announced at the One Young World Summit 2025, the Generation Regen Challenge will provide $200,000 to accelerate non-profits or social enterprises in Canada and the U.S. working to protect and restore:

• Local Farming: Strengthen farming practices, improve productivity, sustainability and climate resilience.
• Soil health: Projects that increase lands’ capacity to sequester carbon, hold and filter water and improve other elements of soil functionality.
• Animal welfare: Enhancing the welfare of farmed livestock and influenced wildlife.
• Biodiversity: Protecting, restoring and enhancing biodiversity on farms.
• Water: Enhancing water stewardship on farms towards a healthier watershed.
• Crop Rotation and Diversity: Rotating crops and using diverse plant species to improve soil fertility and reduce pest pressure.
• Indigenous and cultural practices: Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis / Native American food and agricultural practices, including increasing understanding, awareness and broadening adoption.
• Food Security Systems: Improving access to safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for underserved or at-risk communities.

About the upcoming Summit

In November 2026, the One Young World Summit returns to Africa for the first time since Johannesburg 2013, with Cape Town set to host the Summit. Taking place as South Africa marks 50 years since the Soweto Youth Uprising, the Summit will honour this legacy and celebrate the young leaders shaping our future through innovation, entrepreneurship, and bold action.

As Africa’s most business-friendly city and a strategic gateway between emerging and developed markets, Cape Town is the ideal setting for this global gathering. Welcoming over 8 million international visitors each year and recognised as the continent’s leading destination for world-class events, the city offers a vibrant and inspiring backdrop for next-generation leadership dialogue.

With its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality rooted in Ubuntu, South Africa is ready to welcome the world. 

What is One Young World?

One Young World was founded in 2009 by David Jones and Kate Robertson. We are a UK-based charity that gathers together the brightest young leaders from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change. 

We stage an annual Summit where the most valuable young talent from global and national companies, NGOs, universities and other forward-thinking organisations are joined by world leaders, acting as the One Young World Counsellors.

Delegates participate in four transformative days of speeches, panels, networking and workshops. All delegates have the opportunity to apply to give keynote speeches, sharing a platform with world leaders with the world’s media in attendance. As well as listening to keynote speakers, delegates have the opportunity to challenge world leaders, interact and be mentored by influencers. Delegates make lasting connections throughout the Summit, celebrating their participation at social events and the unforgettable Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

After each Summit, the delegates, who are then known as One Young World Ambassadors, work on their own initiatives or lend the power of the One Young World network to those initiatives already in existence. Of those in employment, many returns to their companies and set about creating change from within, energising their corporate environment.