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IUCN event 19 Aug, 2025

SUSTAIN Champion Awards – youth innovation for water and climate resilience

content hero image
Photo: © SUSTAIN
Start date:
19 Aug, 2025
End date:
02 Sep, 2025
Regions:
Eastern and Southern Africa
Themes:
Freshwater and water security Governance - law and rights
Topics:
Transboundary water governance and diplomacy
IUCN centres:
Centre for Conservation Action
IUCN teams:
Water and Wetlands Team

 

Across Tanzania, young people are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. At the same time, they are also drivers of change, introducing innovative solutions that protect natural resources, boost community resilience, and unlock green growth. The SUSTAIN initiative, implemented by IUCN and partners, recognises that achieving long-term resilience in landscapes depends not only on top-down strategies, but on empowering local actors especially youth to lead the way. 

 

These awards seek to spotlight and support young local innovators (under 30 years of age) from rural and semi-urban communities in the SUSTAIN landscapes who are working on or proposing bold, locally-rooted ideas for water and climate resilience including efforts to scale up climate adaptation or mitigation. These may range from agroecology models, nature-based business solutions, integrated water resources management, sustainable farming technologies, or community-driven restoration projects. The winning individuals or teams will receive small awards to advance their ideas and will be featured in SUSTAIN’s wider communication campaign as part of a dedicated youth champions series. Through this, SUSTAIN aims to strengthen inclusion, elevate emerging voices, and demonstrate how local innovation can shape the future of integrated, climate-resilient landscapes.

Terms of Reference
Download ToR

                                                                                     Objectives of the Awards                                                                                     

  • Identify and support promising youth-led innovations for water and climate resilience (inc. adaptation or mitigation). 
  • Strengthen the role of youth in shaping local sustainable development pathways. 
  • Surface grassroots solutions with potential to scale through community or institutional support. 
  • Elevate diverse voices championing resilient change in SUSTAIN’s communications through storytelling and profiling. 
  • Advance inclusion across SUSTAIN landscapes and build momentum for youth engagement in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Integrated Landscape Management (ILM).

 

                                                                                             Eligibility criteria                                                                                             

  • Be aged 18–30 years at the time of application. 
  • Be a citizen and current resident of Tanzania. 
  • Be working on or proposing a locally relevant innovation for water & climate resilience (inc. adaptation or mitigation). 
  • Be willing and able to participate in follow-up storytelling and monitoring activities. 
  • Innovations must be at idea, pilot, or early implementation stage (not fully commercialised).
  • Both individuals and teams (max 3 people) may apply. 
  • The call is open to youth-led start-ups or small teams, but not to established consulting firms or fully registered companies.

 

                                                                                       Scope and focus areas                                                                                       

Eligible ideas and innovations should fall under one or more of the following thematic areas:

  • Sustainable agriculture or agroecology practices. 
  • Nature-based solutions (e.g. watershed restoration, sustainable land use). 
  • Community-based renewable energy or clean technologies. 
  • Climate-smart business models/ enterprises. 
  • Circular economy and low-waste solutions. 
  • Indigenous knowledge integration into climate action. 
  • Climate risk awareness or youth climate advocacy. 

Special attention will be given to proposals that: 

  • Demonstrate inclusivity (especially of women, youth, and marginalised groups). 
  • Show potential for replication or scale. 
  • Are rooted in the SUSTAIN landscapes (e.g., Kilombero, Ihemi, Sumbawanga) or similar agro-ecological contexts.

 

                                                                                          Support and awards                                                                                          

Selected applicants will receive: 

  • A small financial award (max 5000 USD) to scale or pilot their idea 
  • Visibility through IUCN/SUSTAIN’s social media and publications as part of a “Youth Champions” spotlight series. 
  • Remote mentorship or coaching sessions from SUSTAIN technical partners (subject to availability).
  • Opportunity to participate in knowledge exchanges, webinars, or in-person landscape events

 

                                                                                          Application process                                                                                          

Applicants will be asked to submit: 

  • A short business plan (max 3 pages) outlining the idea, objectives, activities timeline, budget and expected impact (and scale up strategy). 
  • A brief personal statement on their motivation and background (max 500 words). 
  • Optional: supporting media (photos, video clips, diagrams). 
  • A signed declaration confirming age, residency, and commitment to the project. 
  • The SUSTAIN team and selection panel will shortlist the top candidates, who will then be invited to record an elevator pitch of their idea before the final selection is made
  • Applications will be assessed by a selection panel based on the criteria listed in the ToR.

 

How to apply

Applicants are requested to submit their application via online form below.

Applications are open until: Tuesday 02 September 2025, 23:59 CEST