Fully Funded & Online UNDP Climate Catalysts Programme 2026: Empowering Young Innovators for a Sustainable Asia-Pacific
The Climate Catalysts Programme 2026 is now accepting applications from youth-led initiatives focused on clean water access, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, improved air quality, and other climate solutions.
This online fellowship offers a structured platform for young changemakers to strengthen their solutions, connect with peers and experts, and explore pathways to scale their impact in ways that are inclusive, resilient, and locally grounded.
Delivered as an eight-week online fellowship from April to May 2026, the programme provides participants with capacity-building sessions, peer learning opportunities, and access to a broad regional network of climate innovators and ecosystem partners.
Whether your initiative focuses on climate technologies, nature-based solutions, circular economy approaches, or community-driven sustainability projects, the programme is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to advance your impact and accelerate sustainable development outcomes.
What the Programme Offers
The Climate Catalysts Programme is a partnership initiative led by UNDP and Microsoft, with additional support from Youth Co:Lab (co-led by UNDP and the Citi Foundation), YECAP with support from Sweden, and ICIMOD.
It is designed to support early-stage, youth-led startups, social enterprises, non-profits, and community initiatives that have already moved beyond the idea stage and are piloting climate-focused solutions.
Participants will benefit from:
- Structured Capacity-Building: Weekly learning sessions covering climate entrepreneurship, investment readiness, ecosystem intelligence, and scaling strategies.
- Peer Learning & Networking: Connect with a diverse cohort of young climate entrepreneurs across the Asia-Pacific, exchange experiences, and explore collaborative opportunities.
- Access to Ecosystem Resources: Join the Climate Opportunity Network, linking participants to incubators, accelerators, fellowships, and partners actively supporting climate innovations.
- Visibility & Recognition: Selected innovators will gain regional recognition through UNDP platforms and partner channels, amplifying the visibility of their initiatives.
- Ongoing Support: A dedicated online support hub provides on-demand learning resources, coaching, access to over 1,000 global opportunities, and guidance for impact measurement.
- Priority Consideration for Future Opportunities: Participants are given early access to grants, partner programmes, and in-person events, enhancing their ability to secure resources for scaling their solutions.
Focus Areas
The Climate Catalysts Programme welcomes a wide range of climate innovations, including but not limited to:
- Water and Energy Solutions: Renewable energy systems, energy-saving technologies, clean energy access, water conservation, and resource efficiency.
- Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture: Climate-resilient agriculture and aquaculture, sustainable food production, food waste reduction, and climate-smart farming practices.
- Clean Air and Emission Reduction: Air quality monitoring, emission reduction technologies, clean cooking and heating alternatives, and urban pollution mitigation.
- Nature-Based Solutions & Ecosystem Restoration: Biodiversity projects, sustainable land and water use, and ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives.
- Climate Tech and Digital Tools: AI, IoT, and digital innovations for emission monitoring, water and air quality tracking, risk mapping, early warning systems, or citizen science.
- Climate Resilience and Youth Mobilization: Community preparedness, climate risk reduction, youth-led advocacy, and behavior-change initiatives.
Impact Outcomes
The programme encourages initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes for people and the planet. Key impact areas may include:
- Carbon Reduction: CO₂ emissions reduced or offset.
- Nature Restoration: Trees planted, species protected, or ecosystems restored.
- Water Access & Efficiency: Water saved or clean water access provided.
- Energy Access: Renewable or clean energy solutions deployed.
- Waste Management: Waste reduced, recycled, or diverted from landfills.
- Green Jobs: Environmental jobs or sustainable livelihoods supported.
- Environmental Education: Communities trained or educated on sustainability and climate action.
- Community Impact: Total number of people reached, served, or empowered by your initiative.
Formal measurement metrics are not required. The programme welcomes early-stage initiatives still developing their monitoring systems and offers support to build capacity in tracking and communicating impact effectively.
Eligibility
The Climate Catalysts Programme is open to founders aged 18–35 from across the Asia-Pacific region. Eligible initiatives include:
- Early-stage, youth-led startups, social enterprises, non-profits, and community initiatives.
- Initiatives that have moved beyond concept stage and are piloting solutions.
- Projects demonstrating early community or user impact.
- Initiatives that can participate fully in the online fellowship and regional engagement activities.
Initiatives with women co-founders and those serving underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Why Apply
Joining the Climate Catalysts Programme offers unmatched opportunities to accelerate your climate solutions:
- Strengthen your initiative’s impact, sustainability, and scalability.
- Access mentorship, peer networks, and exposure to regional ecosystem partners.
- Gain visibility for your work through UNDP and partner platforms.
- Build capacity in impact measurement, grant readiness, and strategic planning.
- Explore funding opportunities, incubators, and acceleration pathways to expand your reach.
Key Dates
- Programme Duration: April – May 2026
- Application Period: Now open
If you are a young innovator passionate about climate action, this programme offers the resources, knowledge, and network to turn your ideas into meaningful change for communities and the planet.
The Climate Catalysts Programme 2026 is your chance to join a cohort of visionary young climate leaders, strengthen your solutions, and amplify your impact across the Asia-Pacific. Applications are open—don’t miss this opportunity to shape a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this programme. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
