Helping young people turn their ideas into projects that have an impact on the planet
More than half of the world's population is under 30, and many young people with solutions for the planet lack support, networks and funding.
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge supports these young talents, helping them to develop their projects and make their voices heard for a more sustainable future.
Join us and give young people the means to shape tomorrow's world!
Entries for the challenge are open until January 15, 2026.
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge (LPYDC) invites young people aged 15 to 26 to submit their innovative educational projects for real impact on the world.
Projects submitted must address one of the following themes:
The 60 winners will benefit from online training, including mentoring from experts, and themed training on topics such as scaling, community engagement and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for innovation in education.
Stock exchange
Several grants will be awarded to support the projects.
Visibility
The 60 shortlisted projects will be published on the Learning Planet Institute project platform and shared with a global network of leaders, partners and change agents.
The 12 ambassadors will be invited to international events and benefit from networking to promote their projects.
Timeline
September 2025: Opening of the online call for projects (on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly)
January 2026: Call for projects closes (January 15)
February 2026: International jury selects 60 projects
March to June 2026: Training & Mentoring of 60 young people (scaling up, fundraising, AI); integration of an international community of practice
July 26 : Celebration & Selection of 12 ambassadors, promotion of young people and their projects, notably at international events
International Jury
Sanaya Bharucha
Global Head, Student Leadership & Voice - Teach For All
Jade Bowler
Author, Education Advocate and Content Creator - UnJaded Jade
Allan Chochinov
Chair, MFA in Products of Design - School of Visual Arts
Serena Coetzee
Professor - UNU-FLORES
Hatim Eltayeb
CEO - African Leadership Academy
Tel Guajajara
Steering Committee Member representing the Continental Latin American and Caribbean Organization of Students (OCLAE) - Global Student Forum
Shihui Liu
Innovations Lead - United Nations Youth Office
Radha Pillay
Director of Education - United World Colleges
Guilhem Pradalié
Vice President France - INCO
Dominic Regester
Director of Education and Director of the Center for Education Transformation - Salzburg Global
Ayaan Seshadri
Finalist and Prizewinner, Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge 2024-25 - My Eyes, My Life
We would like to thank all those who have contributed and continue to contribute to raising awareness of this program, in particular
