Applications are open for the YE! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme (YECO) 2026/2027, a global initiative designed to help young entrepreneurs develop innovative green businesses and tackle environmental challenges.
The programme aims to strengthen participating businesses, improve their investment readiness and support the expansion of sustainable solutions through training, mentorship, funding opportunities and business development services.
The initiative focuses on two categories: land restoration and green business solutions.
Land restoration supports enterprises working to rehabilitate degraded land and ecosystems. Eligible solutions include reforestation, soil rehabilitation, erosion control, agroforestry and sustainable land management.
The green business solutions category targets ventures developing environmentally sustainable products, services and business models. Areas of focus include renewable energy, recycling, sustainable packaging, energy efficiency and circular economy innovations.
Funding and programme benefits
Selected entrepreneurs may benefit from a range of business development and financing opportunities.
These include a $100,000 seed funding pool for eligible businesses in the land restoration category and a $10,000 Youth Ecopreneur Award for winners in each award category.
Award finalists will also have the opportunity to attend an international conference through an all-expenses-paid trip.
Other benefits include business development training, investment-readiness support, mentorship, personalised coaching and masterclasses. Participants may also receive intellectual property guidance, access to legal services and opportunities to connect with investors, international partners and other green entrepreneurs.
The $100,000 seed funding represents a shared pool for eligible businesses in the land restoration category, rather than a guaranteed individual award for every applicant.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be under 35 years old by the application deadline and serve as a founder, co-founder or chief executive officer of their business.
Their ventures must be majority-run by young people, legally registered and focused on either land restoration or green business solutions.
Although the Global Bootcamp is open to businesses worldwide, access to the accelerator and awards stages may be limited to ventures registered in eligible developing or least-developed countries. Applicants are therefore advised to confirm whether their country qualifies before applying.
Programme structure and application deadline
The YECO 2026/2027 programme comprises four stages: a 10-week Global Bootcamp, a Global Accelerator for selected businesses, the Youth Ecopreneur Awards, and a Scale and Impact phase.
Applicants can choose between two participation tracks. The regular track is intended for early-stage businesses, while the fast track caters to ventures that have demonstrated market traction.
The application deadline is November 22, 2026.
Interested entrepreneurs should prepare their business registration documents, passport and pitch deck before submitting an application through the official programme application page.
How to Apply
Young entrepreneurs interested in the YE! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme (YECO) 2026/2027 should prepare their business registration documents, passport and pitch deck before applying.
To apply, visit the official YECO application page, review the programme requirements and submit your application before the deadline of November 22, 2026. Applicants should also confirm their country’s eligibility for the accelerator and awards stages, as these may be restricted to businesses registered in eligible developing or least-developed countries.
SOURCE: yecommunity.com
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