Eco Champions Germany 2026: Fully Funded Climate Leadership Program for Young Changemakers

Eco Champions Germany 2026

Applications are now open for the Eco Champions Germany 2026 Program. This fully funded climate leadership initiative is designed for young environmental changemakers living in Germany who are passionate about climate action, sustainability, advocacy, and community-driven environmental solutions.

Organized by SOS Children’s Villages, the 18-month programme supports youth-led climate initiatives through mentorship, financial support, leadership development, and international networking opportunities.

Selected participants will also attend the Global Summit in Nigeria and collaborate with young climate activists from around the world.

Program Overview

Program Benefits

Selected participants will receive:

• €300 monthly seed funding
• Personalized mentoring and coaching
• Leadership and advocacy training
• Project development support
• International networking opportunities
• Participation in the Global Summit in Nigeria
• Collaboration opportunities with partner companies
• Access to climate policy and advocacy discussions
• Workshops and skills development sessions
• Full programme participation support

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should:

• Be between 16–26 years old
• Currently reside in Germany
• Be interested in climate action and sustainability
• Have a climate-related project idea or existing initiative
• Be able to communicate in English
• Participate actively for around 5–10 hours monthly
• Attend workshops and programme activities
• Participate in the Nigeria Global Summit

Priority Applicants

The programme strongly encourages applications from:

• Young women and girls
• Refugees and migrants
• Queer youth
• Youth from low-income households
• Individuals with disabilities
• Youth from underrepresented communities
• Young people from structurally disadvantaged regions

Focus Areas

The programme accepts projects related to:

• Climate protection initiatives
• Sustainability innovation
• Renewable energy awareness
• Climate literacy and education
• Environmental advocacy
• Community engagement
• Youth participation in policy discussions
• Local sustainability solutions

Programme Timeline

Program Structure

Phase 1: Introduction and Preparation

July – September 2026

• Orientation sessions
• Community-building meetings
• Summit preparation activities

Phase 2: Global Summit

September 2026

• International networking
• Collaboration with global Eco Champions
• Climate leadership discussions

Phase 3: Mentoring and Accelerator Phase

From October 2026 onward

• Project implementation support
• Continuous mentoring
• Funding assistance
• Advocacy development

How to Apply?

Interested applicants must complete the official online application form before the deadline.

Applicants should prepare their project ideas and be ready for online interviews if shortlisted.

Important Links

Final Words

The Eco Champions Germany 2026 Program is an excellent opportunity for young climate leaders who want to create meaningful environmental impact through innovation, advocacy, and community action.

With monthly funding, international exposure, mentorship, and leadership training, this programme helps participants turn climate ideas into real-world solutions while connecting with a global network of changemakers.