Written by Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme 2026/2027: Benefits, Eligibility and How to Apply
Are you a young entrepreneur building a green business or developing innovative solutions to restore degraded land? The 2026/2027 Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs (YECO) Programme offers an opportunity to strengthen your business, connect with international experts, and access support to scale your environmental impact.
The global initiative, supported by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)–G20 Global Land Initiative, is designed to support young entrepreneurs developing innovative green businesses and land restoration solutions.
Selected participants can benefit from expert-led training, mentorship, investment readiness support, international networking, and connections with global partners. Eligible land restoration businesses may also access a shared equity-free funding pool of USD 100,000, while outstanding entrepreneurs can compete for USD 10,000 in prize money through the Youth Ecopreneur Awards.
Application deadline: November 22, 2026.
Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme 2026/2027: Overview
- Programme: Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme (YECO)
- Organisers: International Trade Centre (ITC) and UNCCD–G20 Global Land Initiative
- Programme type: Green entrepreneurship, business acceleration, and land restoration
- Eligible applicants: Young founders, co-founders, and CEOs
- Age requirement: Under 35 by the application deadline
- Geographical scope: Global Bootcamp open worldwide; Accelerator subject to country eligibility
- Potential funding: Access to a shared USD 100,000 equity-free funding pool for the land restoration cohort
- Award prize: USD 10,000 for each Youth Ecopreneur Award category winner
- Application deadline: November 22, 2026
About the Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme
The Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme aims to help young entrepreneurs develop and scale businesses that address environmental challenges.
It focuses on ventures working in green business and land restoration, supporting founders as they improve their business models, strengthen their operations, attract investment, and expand their environmental impact.
Through training, personalised coaching, mentorship, and international networking, the programme helps participants build the capacity needed to turn innovative environmental solutions into sustainable businesses.
Participants may also benefit from connections with organisations and experts, including EY, Sidley Austin, WIPO, and Google.
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying, interested entrepreneurs should confirm that they meet the programme’s requirements.
1. Age requirement
Applicants must be under 35 years old by November 22, 2026, the stated application deadline.
2. Leadership position
Applicants must be a founder, co-founder, or chief executive officer (CEO) of the business they intend to submit.
3. Business registration and ownership
Eligible businesses must be legally registered and majority-run by a young person.
Applicants should ensure that their business meets these conditions before beginning the application.
4. Relevant business focus
The business must focus on at least one of the programme’s key areas:
- Land restoration: Solutions that contribute to restoring degraded land and improving environmental conditions.
- Green business: Innovative business models, products, or services designed to address environmental challenges.
Applicants should be able to explain the environmental problem their venture addresses and demonstrate how their solution could grow and create meaningful impact.
5. Country eligibility
The Global Bootcamp is open to entrepreneurs worldwide. However, participation in the Global Accelerator is restricted to eligible countries.
Entrepreneurs should review the official list of eligible countries to determine whether their business qualifies for the Accelerator phase.
Programme Structure
The YECO Programme consists of four main components designed to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses and expand their impact.
1. Global Bootcamp
The Global Bootcamp is the programme’s entry-level development phase.
According to the programme information provided, 225 selected entrepreneurs will participate in a 10-week programme featuring:
- Expert-led training and e-learning.
- Business development support.
- Networking opportunities.
- Investment readiness preparation.
- Capacity-building activities.
The Bootcamp is designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen their knowledge, refine their business strategies, and prepare for further growth.
2. Global Accelerator
The Global Accelerator offers more intensive support to selected businesses ready to scale.
The programme information indicates that 25 businesses will be selected for this phase.
Participants can receive:
- Personalised coaching and mentorship.
- Advanced business capacity-building support.
- Masterclasses and expert guidance.
- Opportunities to connect with investors.
- Access to the equity-free funding pool for eligible land restoration businesses.
- Pro-bono legal support opportunities.
This phase is intended to help participating ventures improve their operations, expand their reach, and strengthen their ability to deliver measurable environmental impact.
3. Youth Ecopreneur Awards
The Youth Ecopreneur Awards provide an opportunity for outstanding entrepreneurs to present their solutions to a global audience.
The programme information states that six finalists will showcase their innovations and compete for international recognition.
Award winners can receive USD 10,000 in prize money per category, with one award winner in each category.
The awards offer an opportunity for entrepreneurs to increase their visibility and demonstrate the potential of their environmental solutions.
4. Scale and Impact Phase
The Scale and Impact Phase supports continued business growth beyond the initial training and acceleration activities.
Participants may benefit from ongoing mentorship, networking, strategic partnerships, international event opportunities, and support to scale their ventures.
The aim is to help entrepreneurs expand both their business performance and their positive environmental impact.
Benefits of the Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme
Selected entrepreneurs may gain access to several business development and growth opportunities.
Capacity-building and business development
Participants receive training and guidance to strengthen their business models, improve their operations, and develop strategies for scaling their ventures.
Equity-free funding opportunities
Eligible businesses in the land restoration cohort may access a shared USD 100,000 funding pool without giving up equity.
This amount represents a collective funding pool, not a guaranteed USD 100,000 award for each participant. The programme information does not specify the amount individual businesses may receive.
International networking and exposure
Participants can connect with entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors, and organisations working in sustainable business and environmental innovation.
These connections may help founders explore partnerships, discover new markets, and gain visibility for their solutions.
Mentorship and personalised coaching
The programme offers opportunities to learn from experienced professionals through coaching, mentorship, and masterclasses.
Legal and intellectual property guidance
Participants may access guidance on legal matters and intellectual property through the programme’s partner network.
Access to pro-bono legal services
Selected participants may receive preferential access to pro-bono legal services from Sidley Austin, subject to the relevant programme arrangements.
Google sustainability programme opportunities
The programme offers preferential access to the Google Startups for Sustainable Development Programme, according to the supplied information.
Expert sessions with EY
Participants may access one-on-one coaching sessions with experts from Ernst & Young (EY).
International conference attendance
Youth Ecopreneur Awards finalists may receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference, as outlined in the programme information.
USD 10,000 award prize
Entrepreneurs selected as category winners in the Youth Ecopreneur Awards can compete for USD 10,000 in prize money.
How to Apply for the YECO Programme 2026/2027
Entrepreneurs interested in joining the programme should begin by reviewing the official application information.
Step 1: Visit the official programme page
Go to the Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme website.
Step 2: Review the eligibility criteria
Confirm that you meet the age requirement, hold an eligible leadership position, and operate a legally registered business that is majority-run by a young person.
Step 3: Assess your business focus
Ensure your venture addresses land restoration or a relevant green business challenge. Be prepared to explain the environmental problem, your proposed solution, and its potential for growth.
Step 4: Check your country’s eligibility
If you want to be considered for the Global Accelerator, review the eligible countries list.
Step 5: Complete the application
Follow the instructions on the official programme platform and provide the information requested about your business, leadership role, environmental solution, and growth potential.
Step 6: Submit before the deadline
Submit your application before November 22, 2026. Check the official website for the application form, required supporting materials, and any additional instructions.
Application Deadline
The stated deadline for the 2026/2027 Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme is November 22, 2026.
Interested founders should review the requirements and begin preparing their applications early to allow sufficient time to present their businesses clearly.
Tips for Preparing a Strong Application
Entrepreneurs can improve their applications by clearly communicating the value and potential of their solutions.
- Define the environmental challenge. Explain the specific land restoration or environmental problem your business addresses.
- Demonstrate your solution. Describe how your product, service, or business model responds to the problem.
- Show growth potential. Explain how your business could expand its reach, operations, and impact.
- Highlight your leadership. Clearly state your role as founder, co-founder, or CEO.
- Explain your impact. Where available, provide evidence of the environmental or business results your venture has achieved.
- Review the eligibility requirements. Confirm registration, ownership, age, and country eligibility where applicable.
- Use the official application portal. Follow the programme’s instructions and verify all submission requirements before applying.
Final Thoughts
The Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme 2026/2027 offers young entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop green businesses, strengthen land restoration solutions, and connect with a global network of experts and partners.
With business training, mentorship, investment readiness support, potential access to equity-free funding, and the opportunity to compete for international awards, the programme may be valuable for founders looking to scale ventures that address environmental challenges.
If you are under 35 and lead a legally registered business focused on green solutions or land restoration, review the eligibility requirements and consider applying before November 22, 2026.
Apply or learn more: Official Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme page.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the programme information provided. Selection numbers, benefits, funding access, country eligibility, and application requirements should be confirmed through the official programme website before applying.