Deadline Date: March 06, 2026
The United Nations Development Programme is currently accepting applications for its Climate Catalysts Programme to advance young-led climate solutions that reduce environmental footprints and strengthen sustainable and resilient communities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Focus areas, clean air, food security, renewable energy, circular economy, water, water and energy solutions, food security and sustainable agriculture, clean air and emission reduction, nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration, climate technology and digital tools, and climate resilience and youth mobilization.
The programme supports a wide range of climate innovations that address pressing environmental challenges, including clean energy access, water conservation and management, energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and resource efficiency. It also encourages solutions that strengthen food security through climate-resilient agriculture and aquaculture, sustainable food production, food waste reduction, and climate-smart farming practices.
Innovations focused on improving air quality and reducing emissions are welcomed, including air quality monitoring, emission reduction technologies, clean cooking and heating alternatives, and urban pollution mitigation. The programme also supports nature-based solutions that promote biodiversity, sustainable land and water use, and ecosystem-based adaptation, alongside climate technologies and digital tools such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and platforms for environmental monitoring, risk mapping, early warning systems, and citizen science.
In addition, the programme values initiatives that enhance climate resilience and mobilize youth, including solutions that reduce climate risks, strengthen community preparedness, amplify youth climate voices, and encourage behavior change. It prioritizes initiatives that generate measurable outcomes for people and the planet, such as reducing or offsetting carbon emissions, restoring nature, improving water access and efficiency, expanding clean energy access, improving waste management, supporting green jobs, strengthening environmental education, and delivering positive community impact.
Formal impact metrics are not required at the application stage, as many early-stage initiatives are still developing their measurement systems. The programme welcomes applicants who are new to impact measurement and provides support to help young innovators build capacity to track, understand, and communicate their impact.
Eligibility is open to early-stage, youth-led startups, social enterprises, non-profits, and community initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region that have progressed beyond the idea stage and are piloting climate or environment-focused solutions. Eligible initiatives are led by founders aged 18 to 35, demonstrate early community or user impact, and are able to participate fully in the online fellowship and regional engagement activities, with initiatives led by women co-founders and those serving underserved communities strongly encouraged.
For more information, visit UNDP.
