International Youth Environmental Challenge (IYEC)

The International Youth Environmental Challenge (IYEC) is an annual global competition that empowers young people to address environmental and climate challenges through innovative solutions to local problems. Participants from around the world can submit projects addressing environmental issues and receive international recognition for their work. Projects may be submitted as written essays, videos, recorded speeches, creative media, apps, infographics or other digital formats.

Opportunity to gain international recognition for an environmental project. Open to young people from around the world. No prior experience is required. Individual and team participation are available. Develops research, project development and presentation skills. Encourages practical solutions to real environmental problems. Opportunity to demonstrate measurable or documented environmental impact. Winners receive certificates, website recognition and social-media recognition. 1st Place: $200 Scholarship Award. 2nd Place: $150 Scholarship Award. Junior Award: $100 Scholarship Award. Special Ingenuity Award for innovative solutions.

Junior Category: ages 13 and under. Senior Category: ages 14–18. Individual or team participation is allowed. No prior experience is required. The project must address a local environmental issue connected to at least one of the competition's focus areas. Junior participants require parental/guardian consent. Submissions must be original and properly attribute referenced sources. Submissions must be in English or include English subtitles/translations. Projects must be accessible through a digital link where applicable.