International Trade Centre (ITC), through its Ye! Community
Applications are open for the Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026/2027, a global accelerator supporting young entrepreneurs who are developing business solutions to environmental challenges. The programme aims to strengthen youth led green businesses, promote environmental sustainability, support climate action and encourage innovative approaches to land restoration.
The initiative is powered by the International Trade Centre (ITC), through its Ye! Community, and the G20 Global Land Initiative under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It works with partners including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Sidley Austin, Google for Startups’ Startups for Sustainable Development programme and EY.
YECO combines business training, mentorship, acceleration support, international networking and funding opportunities. It is designed to help young entrepreneurs strengthen their business models, improve their readiness for investment, expand their networks and develop solutions that can create lasting environmental and economic benefits.
The Youth Ecopreneur Programme supports entrepreneurs who combine environmental responsibility with practical business development. Rather than focusing only on early ideas, YECO seeks entrepreneurs with a clear understanding of the environmental problems they want to solve and business solutions with potential to grow.
The programme focuses on two main categories.
Land Restoration
This category supports businesses that protect, restore or improve land and ecosystems. Relevant activities may include reforestation, soil conservation, wetland restoration, erosion control, agroforestry, carbon farming, river restoration, invasive species management and technologies that improve land restoration practices.
Green Business Solutions
This category is intended for businesses developing products, services or processes that contribute to a more sustainable economy. Examples include circular economy models, sustainable materials, waste management innovations, renewable energy solutions, resource efficiency and other environmentally responsible business approaches.
Through these categories, YECO seeks to strengthen the role of young entrepreneurs in sustainable development and environmental justice. It also aims to connect businesses with relevant expertise, professional networks and opportunities that can help them expand their reach.
Selected participants may benefit from the following opportunities, depending on the programme stage and applicable selection conditions.
• Business development training: Practical capacity building to strengthen business operations, improve strategy and support growth.
• Equity free seed funding: A stated USD 100,000 seed funding pool for the land restoration cohort through the accelerator. This is a programme funding pool, not a guaranteed individual award of USD 100,000.
• Mentorship and coaching: Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, business specialists and other experts.
• Global networking: Opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry professionals, potential partners and members of the international sustainability community.
• Legal and intellectual property guidance: Access to relevant guidance through programme partners, including support associated with WIPO and Sidley Austin.
• Google for Startups opportunities: Preferential access to the Startups for Sustainable Development programme, subject to the applicable conditions.
• Expert coaching from EY: One on one coaching opportunities for selected entrepreneurs.
• International exposure: Opportunities to showcase business solutions and connect with international stakeholders.
• Conference travel for award finalists: An all expenses paid trip to an international conference for selected award finalists, according to programme conditions.
• Youth Ecopreneur Award: The programme lists a USD 10,000 prize for one winner in each award category.
Applicants should review the current programme rules carefully because funding, awards, partner services and travel benefits depend on selection and the conditions attached to each programme component.
YECO is intended for businesses that combine commercial potential with meaningful environmental benefits. Relevant areas include the following.
• Land restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems.
• Reforestation and afforestation initiatives.
• Soil conservation, soil enrichment and sustainable land management.
• Wetland, river and other ecosystem restoration.
• Agroforestry and carbon farming.
• Sustainable materials and environmentally responsible product development.
• Circular economy businesses that reduce waste and improve resource use.
• Waste management, recycling and reuse solutions.
• Renewable energy and low carbon technologies.
• Innovative services and technologies that advance environmental sustainability.
• Business models that support climate resilience and the green economy.
Applicants should demonstrate how their businesses address an identifiable environmental challenge and explain how their solutions could be developed, adopted or expanded.
Applicants must meet the individual and business requirements established by the programme.
Applicant requirements
• Be under 35 years of age by the application deadline, as specified in the programme eligibility criteria.
• Be a founder, co founder or chief executive officer of the business.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the environmental problem the business addresses.
• Be able to explain how the business solution could grow and create meaningful environmental impact.
Business requirements
• The business must be legally registered.
• The business must be predominantly run by a young person.
• The business must focus on land restoration, sustainability, circularity or the green economy.
• The solution must fit one of the programme’s two categories, Land Restoration or Green Business Solutions.
• The business must meet the geographical requirements for the stage in which it seeks to participate.
The Global Bootcamp accepts applications from businesses in countries recognised by the United Nations. The Global Accelerator and Awards stages are reserved for businesses registered in eligible developing or least developed countries. Applicants should consult the official country list before applying.
YECO also encourages applications from women entrepreneurs, people with disabilities, minority groups and entrepreneurs from least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
Applicants should prepare the documents and information needed to complete the online application.
• Passport: Have the relevant passport information or document ready as requested by the application portal.
• Business registration certificate: Prepare evidence that the business is legally registered.
• Business pitch deck: Prepare a presentation explaining the business, its solution, target market, environmental impact and growth potential.
• Business information: Be ready to describe the business model, activities, environmental challenge and intended beneficiaries.
• Founder information: Provide accurate information about the applicant’s role and leadership within the business.
The programme seeks entrepreneurs with a clear environmental purpose and a credible opportunity to grow their businesses. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate the relevance of their solutions and their readiness to benefit from business development support.
Important considerations include:
• The environmental challenge addressed by the business.
• The relevance and practical value of the proposed solution.
• The potential for the business to grow and reach more customers or communities.
• The business’s contribution to land restoration, sustainability, circularity or the green economy.
• The applicant’s leadership role and commitment to the venture.
• The business’s legal registration and compliance with geographical eligibility rules.
• The fit between the business and the programme’s Land Restoration or Green Business Solutions category.
Applicants should provide clear, accurate information and explain the difference their business could make. They should also ensure that the proposed solution is consistent with the category selected in the application.
International Trade Centre (ITC), through its Ye! Community
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