Deadline:
As soon as possible
Location(s)
Germany United States of America Worldwide
Overview
UNEP has opened nominations for the 2026 Champions of the Earth award – the UN’s highest environmental honour – this year focusing on leaders at the forefront of caring for the ocean, an ecosystem essential to life on Earth that is increasingly under strain.
For more than two decades, the Champions of the Earth awards have recognized trailblazers whose work has shaped environmental policy and practice around the world. The 2026 edition seeks nominations of individuals, organizations and governments driving efforts to protect and restore ocean health—an area critical to climate stability, biodiversity, food security, and sustainable economic development.
Details
How we find our Champions
The Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour and celebrates individuals and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment.
2026 Focus: Ocean Health
In 2026, the award focuses on Ocean Health. UNEP is seeking nominations of individuals and organizations whose work delivers solutions to restore marine and coastal ecosystems, reduce climate risks, and create sustainable livelihoods.
Key focus areas
- Pollution prevention – Addressing pollution from source to sea, including wastewater, nutrients, chemicals, and sediments, through solutions that connect land, freshwater, coasts, and the ocean.
- Ecosystem protection and restoration – Strengthening ocean resilience, safeguarding and restoring coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and other vital habitats, and reducing climate risks for coastal communities.
- Sustainable blue economies – Supporting fair and sustainable livelihoods that protect nature while advancing economic opportunity.
- Science, data, and cooperation – Expanding scientific research, data, finance, and regional partnerships, including through Regional Seas programmes, to accelerate collective impact.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Selection criteria
Nominees are evaluated based on:
- Impact: Have the nominee’s actions resulted in profound environmental gains or demonstrated significant potential for replication and scaling?
- Novelty: Has the nominee done or achieved something new and innovative?
- Influence: How compelling and inspiring is the nominee’s story?
Dates
Deadline: As soon as possible
Cost/funding for participants
What do the Young Champions receive?
The Prize
In 2026, seven Young Champions of the Earth will be selected from each global region: one from each of Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, West Asia, and two from Asia and the Pacific. Each winner will receive the following:
- US$15,000 in seed funding;
- US$ 9,000 in funding to communicate and capture your idea and document and broadcast the stories of hope and change that you’re catalyzing on the ground.
- Attendance at a high-level UN meeting;
- An introduction to dignitaries at the Champions of the Earth Award Ceremony;
- Publicity and recognition through interviews and online and global media;
- Access to a community of Covestro experts offering insights and mentoring; and
- Participation in an entrepreneurial training program.
The 2026 Young Champions will be required to share their journeys through blogs and vlogs posted on this website for a period of up to one year.
The community
More than just an honorary title, Young Champions of the Earth Prize aims to nurture the next generation of environmental leaders. Applicants who demonstrate a strong willingness to learn will be granted access to mentorship and skills building opportunities and access to a community of likeminded entrepreneurs and experts.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
