Young people aged 15 to 26, including aspiring changemakers from Nepal, can compete for US$1,000 grants through the Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge (LPYDC) 2026–27, an international initiative supporting youth-led projects addressing social and environmental challenges.

Organised by the Learning Planet Institute, the challenge will select 60 projects for training and mentorship, with 12 participants receiving grants to advance their initiatives. The programme aims to help young people turn community-focused ideas into practical solutions while connecting them with an international network of changemakers.

Who Can Apply?

The challenge is open to young people aged 15–26 worldwide who are developing projects that create positive change in their communities. Projects should address one or more of the following themes:

Peace and Democracy: Promoting inclusion, civic participation and peaceful communities.
Mental Health and Wellbeing: Improving mental health awareness and community wellbeing.
Environment and Climate: Addressing climate change, environmental protection and sustainability.

Applicants may submit an existing initiative or develop an idea into a more effective social impact project.

What Are the Benefits?

The programme offers the following opportunities:

Training and mentorship: 60 shortlisted projects will receive online training, expert mentorship, masterclasses and practical project-development support.
Financial support: 12 selected participants will become LPYDC ambassadors and receive a grant of US$1,000 each.
International networking: Participants can connect with fellow young changemakers, experts and international partners.
Recognition and certification: The 60 shortlisted projects will receive certification through the United Nations University Hub for Future of Learning with Youth (UNU FLY) and be featured on the Learning Planet Institute’s project platform.

Selection for the programme does not guarantee a grant, which is reserved for the 12 selected ambassadors.

Application Deadline and Timeline

The application deadline for the 2026–27 challenge is 7 January 2027, at 11:59 PM Central European Time (CET).

The institute plans to select 60 projects in February 2027, conduct online training and mentorship from March to June, and select 12 ambassadors in July 2027.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should review the eligibility criteria and submit their project through the official Learning Planet Institute website.

Apply here: Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge — Official Website

Young Nepali innovators, students and community leaders with ideas for addressing local challenges can use the opportunity to develop their projects, gain international exposure and expand their social impact.

Source: Learning Planet Institute.

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Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge Offers $1,000 Grants to Young Changemakers