The Iris Project: Empowering Young People for Environmental Action
In memory of Iris Goldsmith, a young nature advocate tragically lost at the age of 15, the Iris Project stands as a beacon of hope and action for the preservation of our planet. In collaboration with the Global Greengrants Fund, this initiative honours Iris' deep love for the natural world by nurturing a global community of young environmental leaders dedicated to protecting and restoring local ecosystems.
Iris was deeply connected to nature, had a special affinity for the sea and exhibited a gentle behaviour towards animals. In her honour, the Iris Project aims to harness the passion and creativity of young people who are already at the forefront of tackling the climate and ecological crises. It seeks to amplify their voices and initiatives by providing essential support and resources that are often inaccessible.
How to apply for the Iris Prize 2024
If you are between 14 and 24 years old and have a vision or project in progress that aims to safeguard or revitalise nature in your community, we invite you to apply for the Iris Prize 2024. Applications are open until 30 April 2024, 23:59 GMT. To begin the application process, you must complete our eligibility questionnaire to gain access to the application form.
Application Criteria
Before signing up, make sure that:
- Their project is led by individuals between the ages of 14 and 24, predominantly young people who drive the initiative and have decision-making autonomy.
- His project is aligned with the principles of nature protection and restoration and defends the rights of those who defend environmental conservation.
- Although we welcome projects affiliated to larger organisations, it is imperative that youth leaders retain full autonomy and decision-making authority.
- For minors, it is necessary to collaborate with a local organisation or NGO as a fiscal sponsor to manage the financial aspects of the grant.
Award categories
To encourage innovation and sustainability within the youth environmental movement, we offer three different award categories:
- The Seed Prize (US$ 5,000): Awarded to individuals or teams with innovative ideas for nature conservation.
- Stem Award (US$ 10,000): Recognises recently started small-scale projects.
- Iris Prize (US$ 15,000): awarded to established projects with potential for replication and scalability.
Timeline
- 1st March : Open call for entries begins.
- March and April Candidates are invited to join the Iris Project Ecosystem, which offers funding, training and opportunities for collaboration.
- 30th April Registration deadline.
- May Selected projects undergo due diligence interviews.
- June A panel of specialised judges assesses the shortlist.
- July Winning projects receive due diligence support for secure financing.
- August Winners and runners-up are notified and local filmmakers document their initiatives.
- October 2024 : Awards ceremony to announce the winners and runners-up.
Check eligibility and apply
Our eligibility guide, questionnaire and application form are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Arabic. Visit our website to start your journey towards making a significant impact on the environment.
