Applications Invited for the Iris Prize 2025

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About the Organization

The Iris Project is run in collaboration with Global Fund for Children UK Trust, and has been established in memory of Iris Goldsmith, who died in a tragic accident aged 15.  Iris had a deep and lifelong connection with the natural world, a gentle way with animals, and a particular love for the sea. In her memory, we are building a global community of young people working to protect and restore their local natural environment. We recognise that young people are already leading the way in finding solutions to the climate and ecological crisis. The Iris Project exists to shine a light on that leadership, and to enable outstanding individuals to take it further by providing access to the funds and support that, all too often, they find too difficult to access.

About the Grant

Our annual award, The Iris Prize, highlights the vision and innovation of young leaders who are building a sustainable future, often in the face of extraordinary obstacles. We don’t just fund ideas – we provide the tools, resources, and networks young environmentalists need to scale their impact and inspire change within their communities. Focused primarily in the Global South, we support projects that demonstrate how local action can drive global change.

Award categories:

We recognise that nature restoration takes a variety of forms – from traditional land stewardship to innovative technological solutions. As such, The Iris Prize rewards new ideas and established projects, hoping to overcome the circumstantial barriers that too often prevent young people from being able to advocate for nature-related change.

• The Iris Prize ($15,000): Awarded to an established project with the potential to replicate and scale, Ages 16-24.
• The Stem Prize ($10,000): Awarded to an existing project established recently and on a small scale, Ages 16-24.
• The Seed Prize ($5,000): Awarded to a young person or team with a groundbreaking idea to protect and/or restore nature in their local community, Ages 14-24.

Eligibility

• Your project or organisation is led by young people aged 14 to 24. To be eligible for an Iris Prize, most of your leadership must be young people with project autonomy and decision-making power. Please do not apply if you are not within this age category.
• We welcome projects that are either fiscally sponsored or associated with larger organisations, charities, or NGOs. However, it is essential that the young person leading the project retains complete autonomy and decision-making authority.
• You support the principle of protecting and restoring nature and the rights of those working to defend it.
• We prioritise ensuring the safety and well-being of our prize participants. If you are under a minor in your country, please be aware that we require collaboration with a local organisation or NGO to serve as a fiscal sponsor. This partner organisation will be responsible for managing the financial grant, holding the funds, and providing financial support to you throughout the process.

We specifically look for projects that are:

• Youth and locally-led initiatives operating in areas identified as significant by their local communities.
• Eligibility for consideration includes ideas, small-scale projects, or existing initiatives with growth potential and replicability.
• We prioritise initiatives in the Global South, where our support can have a more significant impact. But we also consider exceptional projects from the Global North.
• Shown to have a Commitment to diversity and inclusion.

How to Apply

The Iris Prize 2025 is open!

Are you aged 14-24? Do you have an idea or an established project protecting or restoring nature in your local community?

To apply for a prize, you must take our eligibility quiz to access the application form. Below is the quiz in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Arabic. Remember, we accept applications in any language and offline, too!

Apply Now!

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Innovations and Technology Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others