Today’s young people were born into the climate, nature, and pollution crises, and hold the keys to addressing them. With support from the Global Environment Facility, youth leaders around the world are building careers to heal the planet and getting directly involved in local, national, and international initiatives in order to create a brighter future.
Would you like to get involved? Please reach out to us at youth@thegef.org with your questions and ideas.
We also invite you to engage with youth organizations such as YOUNGO, the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, the UNCCD Youth Caucus, and the local and national chapters advising the multilateral environmental conventions the GEF serves. Young scientists interested in environmental conservation can also explore training and networking support through the GEF’s Fonseca Leadership Program.
GEF x Earth Partner
The Global Environment Facility is partnering with the Earth Partner Prize, a global platform for young creatives using art to spotlight the ecological crisis. Together, we’re inviting new voices into the conversation – especially from communities on the frontline of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and land and ocean degradation – and giving their work a global stage.
- Who: Young creatives aged 14–30, from any country
- Cost: Free to apply
- Mediums: Any (film, photo, music, performance, fashion, design, writing, code, etc.)
- Deadline: October 10, 2025 (23:59 CET)
- Prizes & visibility: Cash awards of up to $10,000 for eight finalists, honorable mentions for 20 more, and global exposure through Earth Partner’s platforms and exhibitions
Conversations with Carlos Manuel
In a conversation at his home - "Creating space for young people to affect climate policy" - GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez heard from members of the Youth and Climate Change Network of Costa Rica about how the climate emergency is impacting young people. International relations student Judith Pereira Vásquez, sustainable development engineering student Dereck Diaz Cortés, and political advocacy coordinator and cartography professional Noelia Molina Montero shared their fears, hopes, and plans for the future.
Carlos Manuel is a lawyer by training, politician by choice, and conservationist at heart. In the interview "An unconventional career path: Carlos Manuel Rodríguez," he shared memories from his career path and offered advice to young people who want to save the planet without working in a laboratory.
