Applications are now open for the 2026-27 cohort of the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO), a United Nations-backed initiative. The program is jointly run by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the G20 Global Land Initiative, operating under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It supports young green entrepreneurs developing businesses focused on environmental sustainability and land restoration. The application window for this cycle closes on November 22.
YECO provides participants with comprehensive training, mentorship, international exposure, and access to funding. The program targets entrepreneurs under 35, with a specific emphasis on those from developing countries. Startups can apply in two categories: Green Business Solutions or Land Restoration. Selected participants advance through a Global Bootcamp and a Global Accelerator phase before the Youth Ecopreneur Awards.
At the Youth Ecopreneur Awards, finalists present their ventures to an international audience, with winners receiving US$10,000 in prize money. Eligible businesses in the Land Restoration category can also access a US$100,000 equity-free funding pool. The previous cycle attracted over 1,500 applications from more than 120 countries. Participants join a YECO alumni network of over 350 entrepreneurs, part of ITC’s wider Ye! Community connecting over 50,000 young entrepreneurs globally.
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The program significantly boosts participants’ credibility, expands their professional networks, and provides new knowledge and skills, according to feedback from 96%, 94%, and 90% of participants, respectively. Alumni have demonstrated the program’s impact by raising substantial funding. For instance, Satellites on Fire, a previous Land Restoration category winner, secured a US$2.7 million seed round. Separately, Ugandan entrepreneur Hellen Munyasa of Helton Traders Limited, a Green Business Solutions winner, obtained a US$20,000 grant.
Following the awards, participants enter a Scale & Impact phase designed to further develop their businesses. YECO also offers intellectual property support from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and pro bono legal services from Sidley Austin. Business coaching is provided by EY, and participants gain preferential access to the Google Startups for Sustainable Development program. This extensive support system aims to equip young entrepreneurs to expand their ventures beyond national borders and create lasting value.
Key Takeaways
The Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) stands as a crucial global initiative, strategically addressing pressing environmental challenges through the lens of entrepreneurial innovation, particularly within developing countries. By actively fostering young “ecopreneurs,” this program, backed by the UN’s International Trade Centre (ITC) and the G20 Global Land Initiative, directly contributes to critical land restoration efforts and broader sustainable development goals.
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Its comprehensive support system, which includes tailored training, mentorship, international exposure, and direct access to funding, is vital for transforming nascent green business ideas into viable, impactful ventures. The robust involvement of esteemed partners like the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Sidley Austin, EY, and Google further strengthens the program’s offerings, providing specialized expertise in intellectual property, pro bono legal services, business strategy, and technological integration. The reported success of alumni, such as Satellites on Fire raising a US$2.7 million seed round and Helton Traders Limited securing a US$20,000 grant, powerfully underscores YECO’s effectiveness in preparing businesses for significant growth and attracting essential investment. This not only empowers individual entrepreneurs but also cultivates a resilient global network of environmentally conscious businesses capable of driving economic value and community upliftment on an international scale, demonstrating a tangible pathway for youth to lead in the burgeoning green economy and combat climate change.