About this opportunity
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge, run by the Learning Planet Institute in Paris, exists because more than half the world’s population is under 30 and many young people with solutions for the planet still lack support, networks and funding. The 2026 to 27 edition was launched on 22 September 2026 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, and the call for proposals is open now. It asks participants aged 15 to 26 to submit an innovative education project with real world impact, aligned to one of three themes: peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, or environment and climate. The previous edition drew 702 final projects from 200 sign up cohorts across 109 countries.
The support is structured in stages rather than a single prize. Sixty projects are shortlisted by an international jury and each one receives online training between March and June 2027, including targeted mentorship, masterclasses and practical tools to develop the project, plus integration into a global community of practice. All 60 are featured on the Learning Planet Institute projects platform and shared across its network of education leaders, partners and changemakers. From the shortlist, 12 participants are selected as ambassadors in July 2027 and each receives a USD 1,000 grant to advance their project, an invitation to international events and tailored networking. Shortlisted projects also carry certification from the United Nations University Hub for the Future of Learning with Youth.
Entry is open to young people aged 15 to 26 from any country, with no nationality restriction stated, which makes it open to secondary school, university and youth led teams across Nigeria and Africa. Past ambassadors have come from Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi and Kenya, and their projects ranged from a soil and food education initiative to peer led mental health support. The programme suits a founder, student leader or young educator who already has a working idea in education and needs mentorship, credibility and a small grant to push it further.
Proposals close on 7 January 2027 at 23:59 Central European Time. The jury announces the 60 selected projects in February 2027, training and mentorship run from March to June 2027, and the 12 ambassadors are selected and celebrated in July 2027.
What you receive
- USD 1,000 grant for each of the 12 selected ambassadors
- Online training, targeted mentorship, masterclasses and practical tools for the 60 shortlisted projects
- Integration into a global community of practice of education leaders, partners and changemakers
- A listing for all 60 shortlisted projects on the Learning Planet Institute projects platform
- Certification by the United Nations University Hub for the Future of Learning with Youth
- Invitations to international events and tailored networking for the ambassadors
- A selection and celebration event in July 2027
Who can apply
- Open to young people aged 15 to 26
- Applicants may be from any country. No nationality restriction is stated
- The project must be an innovative education project that creates real world impact
- The project must align with one of three themes: peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, or environment and climate
- Applying is free
Who should not apply
- Projects outside the three stated themes are not in scope for this edition
- Only the 12 ambassadors receive the USD 1,000 grant. The other shortlisted projects receive training, mentorship and visibility rather than funding
Documents to prepare
- A description of your education project and the real world impact it creates
- Confirmation of how the project fits one of the three themes: peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, or environment and climate
How to apply
- Read the programme page at https://www.learningplanetinstitute.org/en/programs/lp-ydc/ and check your project against the three themes.
- Register for more information about the challenge through the link on that page if you want updates before you apply.
- Complete the application form at https://airtable.com/appG1cya2D9WFef23/pagVQIygZgqcSXk0t/form with your project idea and its intended impact.
- Submit before 7 January 2027 at 23:59 Central European Time.
- Watch for the shortlist. The jury selects 60 projects in February 2027, training and mentorship run from March to June 2027, and the 12 ambassadors are selected and celebrated in July 2027.
Selection process
- An international jury reviews the proposals submitted to the call
- 60 projects are shortlisted and invited into online training and mentorship from March to June 2027
- 12 participants are then selected as ambassadors in July 2027 and each receives a USD 1,000 grant
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Who can apply?
Young people aged 15 to 26 from any country. The programme states worldwide eligibility with no nationality restriction.
What funding is on offer?
12 ambassadors each receive a USD 1,000 grant to advance their project. The 60 shortlisted projects receive free online training, mentorship, certification and platform visibility rather than money.
What are the themes?
Peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, and environment and climate. Your education project should align with one of them.
When does the call close?
Proposals close on 7 January 2027 at 23:59 Central European Time, with the shortlist announced in February 2027.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
