The Iris Prize, a global award supporting young environmental leaders, has opened its applications for 2026. Now in its fifth year, it aims to support youth-led climate at a time when funding is being cut.

Young leaders, particularly in the Global South, receive just 0.96 per cent of global climate funding, and the Iris Prize will help with the three winners and six runners-up will receiving grants ranging from $1,500 to $15,000.

Previous winners' work includes tackling air quality in Mongolia, wildlife protection of Dugongs in the Philippines, and river restoration in Mexico. These projects are demonstrating the impact of bespoke support that can help move grassroots projects to wider platforms for global systems change.

The prize is open to projects led by young people aged 14 to 24 worldwide, prioritising those in the Global South. The Iris Prize is committed to addressing the funding and thematic gaps in conservation, ensuring the funding can reach those regions and issues where it will have the most significant impact.

Millie Edwards, Director at The Iris Project, added: “This year, we’re placing particular emphasis on the Pacific, alongside expanded outreach across parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, to help ensure resources reach youth leaders who are on the frontlines of climate and nature breakdown.”

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