Empowering Young Changemakers: The Iris Prize 2025 is Now Open for Applications!

The Iris Prize 2025 is now open for applications! If you are a young person between the ages of 14 and 24 and you have a project or idea focused on protecting or restoring nature in your local community, this could be your chance to make a significant impact. The Iris Prize offers financial support and recognition to help further your environmental initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria:

Before applying, make sure you meet the following requirements:

1. Age: Your project or organization must be led by young people aged 14 to 24. The leadership of your project should primarily consist of young individuals who have the autonomy and decision-making power to drive the project forward. Please do not apply if you are outside this age category.
2. Nature Protection: Your initiative must align with the principles of protecting and restoring nature, as well as supporting the rights of those working to defend the environment.
3. Organizational Support: We welcome projects that are fiscally sponsored or associated with larger organizations, charities, or NGOs. However, it is crucial that the young leader(s) retain full control and decision-making authority over the project.
4. Safety and Well-being: If you are a minor in your country, you will need a local organization or NGO as a fiscal sponsor to manage the financial grant and support your project throughout the process.
5. Project Type: Your project can either be a new idea, a small-scale initiative, or an existing project with potential for growth and replication. Projects that are youth-led and locally focused are prioritized, especially those in areas that are deemed significant by the local community.
6. Geographic Focus: We prioritize projects in the Global South, where our support can make a bigger impact. However, exceptional projects from the Global North are also considered.
7. Diversity and Inclusion: A commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential in all applications.

Prize Categories:

The Iris Prize offers three categories to support projects at different stages of development:

1. The Seed Prize – $5,000
   • Awarded to young individuals or teams with a groundbreaking idea to protect or restore nature.
   • Eligibility: Ages 14–24.
2. The Stem Prize – $10,000
   • Awarded to an existing small-scale project that has already been established but is still in its early stages.
   • Eligibility: Ages 16–24.
3. The Iris Prize – $15,000
   • Awarded to an established project that has the potential to replicate and scale.
   • Eligibility: Ages 16–24.

Important Dates:

• March 5th: Open Call – The Iris Prize 2025 is now open for applications!
• March & April: Join the Iris Project Ecosystem – Applicants are invited to join a private Slack channel to access funding opportunities, capacity building, and collaboration.
• April 15th (23:59 CEST): Application Deadline – Submit your application before the deadline.
• May: Interviews – Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.
• June: Judging Panel Review – Expert panel reviews shortlisted projects.
• July: Due Diligence – Winning projects receive due diligence support.
• August: Winners & Films – Winners and runners-up are announced, and local filmmakers capture the top projects.
• September 2025: Virtual Awards Ceremony – The winners and runners-up will be celebrated during an online ceremony.

How to Apply:

To apply, follow these steps:

1. Take the Eligibility Quiz: Make sure you meet all the criteria by taking the quiz. You can find the quiz in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Arabic.
2. Complete the Application Form: Once eligible, proceed to complete your application form.
3. Submit Your Documents: Prepare all necessary documentation, including a description of your project and relevant supporting materials.

Additional Resources:

• Eligibility Guide and Application Form are available for download in multiple languages.
• You can access the application form, eligibility guide, and other resources on the official Iris Prize Website.

Final Words:

The Iris Prize 2025 is a fantastic opportunity for young people to create meaningful environmental change. Whether you are starting a new project or already have an initiative underway, this prize can provide you with the support and resources you need to take your project to the next level.

Apply now and become a part of the global movement to protect and restore nature!

For more information, visit The Iris Prize Website or contact the Iris Prize team at [email protected] if you have any questions.

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , What’s App, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram