The Earth Prize 2027

The Earth Prize is an annual global environmental sustainability competition organised by The Earth Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland.

It is designed for teenage students who want to develop practical solutions to environmental challenges. Participants may work individually or form teams of up to five students, including students from different classes, grades or educational institutions.

Rather than asking participants to submit only an idea, the competition uses The Earth Prize Blueprint, a validation-focused framework. Students are expected to identify a real environmental problem, speak with people affected by it, develop and test something tangible, refine their proposed solution and explain how it could be implemented.

Projects may address a wide range of environmental sustainability issues. Official guidance gives examples including climate change, pollution, biodiversity, waste, water, energy and sustainable materials. Solutions may be technological, scientific, entrepreneurial or community-based.

Participants gain access to learning resources, events and mentoring support during the competition. After the initial submission stage, 35 teams are selected as The Earth Prize Scholars and move into a more advanced development phase.

Scholar teams refine their work through a Project Update, Budget & Next Steps Plan, Structured Video and intellectual-property worksheet. They are also matched one-to-one with an Earth Prize Mentor.

Seven Regional Winners are ultimately selected, representing Africa, Asia, Central & South America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Oceania & Southeast Asia. A Global Winner is then chosen from the Regional Winners through public voting.

• Participants must be between 13 and 19 years old at the time of the competition.
• Applicants must currently be students at secondary education level.
• Tertiary education students are not eligible.
• Participants may come from anywhere in the world; there are no geographic restrictions.
• Students may participate individually or form a team of up to five students.
• Team members may come from different classes, grades or institutions.
• Submissions must propose solutions intended to create positive change towards environmental sustainability.
• Previous participants may enter again if they still meet the eligibility criteria.
• Projects that previously won or were selected as runners-up in The Earth Prize cannot be resubmitted as the same project.
• Students may participate without an Educator, although educator support is encouraged.

• More than US$100,000 in prizes and awards are allocated across The Earth Prize ecosystem for 2027.
• Seven Regional Winner teams receive US$10,000 each to implement or scale their environmental projects.
• 35 teams are selected as The Earth Prize Scholars.
• Scholars receive official recognition and a certificate from The Earth Prize.
• The current official 2027 FAQ also lists a US$500 award for each of the 35 Scholars.
• Scholar teams receive one-to-one mentoring during the Scholar Phase.
• Participants gain access to educational resources, events and mentoring support.
• Students can engage with an international community of environmental innovators, educators and mentors.
• Selected projects may gain additional visibility and opportunities for further development through The Earth Foundation network.

The official guidelines do not provide a conventional academic-document checklist such as transcripts, degree certificates or passports.

For initial registration, participants provide information including:

• Participant name and email address.
• Date of birth.
• School or organisation name and address.
• City and country.
• Parent or legal guardian contact details where required for minors.

For the main competition submission, teams must prepare The Earth Prize Blueprint, including:

• Description and evidence of the environmental problem.
• Evidence from problem discovery and engagement with affected people.
• Description of the proposed solution.
• Evidence of something created or tested, such as a sketch, model, mock-up, prototype or demo.
• Evidence of solution validation or a credible plan for obtaining feedback.
• Implementation and funding plan.
• A specific, itemised proposed use of the US$10,000 Regional Winner prize.
• A 60–90 second pitch video.
• References for external research, data and information used.

If selected as a Scholar, the team must later prepare:

• Project Update.
• Budget & Next Steps Plan.
• Structured Video of approximately two minutes.
• IP Self-Serve Worksheet.

The Earth Prize Blueprint is scored out of 25 points using six official criteria:

• Problem Validation — 5 points: Evidence that the environmental problem is real and matters to the people affected.
• Proof of Concept — 5 points: Evidence that the team has created or tested something tangible, learned from it and engaged with potential users, or has a credible plan to do so.
• Solution Quality — 4 points: How effectively the proposed idea responds to the validated problem and how it differs from existing approaches.
• Next Steps & Commitment — 4 points: Whether the team has defined concrete next actions and identified relevant partners, supporters or allies.
• Feasibility & Planning — 4 points: Whether the team has developed a specific financial plan and realistically considered possible risks.
• Communication & Inspiration — 3 points: Whether the pitch communicates the idea clearly and builds confidence in the team and its solution.

• Develop a real environmental solution rather than submitting only a theoretical idea.
• Receive access to sustainability learning resources and mentoring.
• Strengthen research, innovation, communication and project-planning skills.
• Test your project with real users or stakeholders.
• Connect with students and environmental mentors from around the world.
• Gain international recognition if selected as an Earth Prize Scholar or Regional Winner.
• Compete for funding that can be used to implement or scale your environmental project.
• Build practical experience relevant to sustainability, science, innovation and entrepreneurship.