UNICEF Nigeria has announced a new global opportunity for young people driving climate education initiatives, following an update shared minutes ago on its official X (Twitter) handle, @UNICEF_Nigeria.
The announcement invites applications for the UNICEF Leading Minds Climate Education Fellowship, an 18-month global programme designed to strengthen youth-led climate education initiatives and transform how children and communities respond to the climate crisis. This opportunity adds to a growing list of youth empowerment and leadership programmes in Nigeria, including initiatives like the ALG & NLS Youth Leadership Governance Programme.
UNICEF will select up to 12 young climate leaders who are actively strengthening climate education in schools, communities, and policy spaces. Selected fellows will be eligible for grant support of up to $20,000, positioning the fellowship among top youth-focused funding and empowerment initiatives such as the FG YouthCred loan programme.
About the Leading Minds Climate Education Fellowship
The fellowship will run from February 2026 to July 2027 and is coordinated by UNICEF Innocenti, UNICEF’s global research and foresight office.
The programme frames climate education as a fundamental child right and a tool for intergenerational justice, aligning with sustainability-driven empowerment models like the FMYD Waste-to-Wealth programme, which promotes community-based environmental solutions.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to young people aged 10–30 who are leading or representing climate education initiatives and are ready to dedicate 4–5 hours weekly throughout the fellowship period. Applicants must be comfortable working in English, while knowledge of other UN languages is considered an advantage.
This opportunity complements other capacity-building platforms for young changemakers, including digital skills and advocacy programmes such as the NITDA DL4ALL digital literacy campaign.
Eligible Climate Education Initiatives
UNICEF welcomes youth-led initiatives across both formal and informal settings, including:
School curriculum integration, climate clubs, and education networks
Government and policy partnerships with education authorities
Rights-based initiatives linking climate education to equity and justice
Community resilience and informal education projects
Digital campaigns, storytelling, and media advocacy
Youth using digital platforms and storytelling for impact may also benefit from opportunities like NiYA Gigs, which supports young Nigerians in building digital capacity and earning through meaningful work.
What Fellows Will Do
Selected fellows will document and strengthen their climate education “Bright Spots,” contribute to youth-led research and foresight, shape education and climate policy dialogues, and co-design strategic convenings at national and global levels. These responsibilities align closely with leadership development pathways such as the Dr. Fola Aina Fellowship, which equips young leaders for governance and policy impact.
Fellowship Benefits
Participants will receive:
A stipend for contributions during the fellowship
Technical mentorship and collaboration with research partners
Visibility and global speaking opportunities
Hands-on experience in child rights, foresight, and advocacy
Access to a global youth leadership network
Eligibility for up to $20,000 in grant support
The fellowship further reinforces UNICEF’s commitment to empowering young people, alongside national programmes like ongoing NAPEP youth empowerment initiatives aimed at skills development and socio-economic inclusion.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply via the official UNICEF portal:
Apply here:
https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/leading-minds-fellowship-climate-education
The application consists of six sections and includes a required 90-second video submission. Completion time is approximately 45–60 minutes.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2025
Apply now and take your climate education initiative to the global stage. If you are a young leader passionate about shaping climate action and education, this is your opportunity to gain funding, mentorship, and international visibility through UNICEF’s Leading Minds Fellowship.
For further questions, applicants may contact the fellowship team at:
innocentiyouth@unicef.org
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