# Iris Prize opens to find rising young voices in global conservation

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/03/05/iris-prize-opens-to-find-rising-young-voices-in-global-conservation/
- Published: 2026-03-05T08:40:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Iris Prize, a global award supporting young environmental leaders aged 14 
to 24, is inviting applications for 2026. Now in its fifth year, the prize is a 
key pillar of The Iris Project, established to provide crucial resources, trust,
and visibility to youth-led initiatives working to protect and restore nature worldwide.**

The initiative is directly addressing the significant funding gap for young leaders,
particularly in the Global South, where youth-led climate work often lacks adequate
financial support, receiving just 0.96% of global climate funding.

From early ideas to established initiatives, they support young people working on
solutions for nature with flexible funding and practical support.

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In 2026, the prize will award **three winners** and six runners-up with flexible,
trust-based grants ranging **from $1,500 to $15,000**, along with expert mentorship
and skills-building opportunities.

Since its inception in 2022, The Iris Prize has directed **over £746,537** toward
youth-led environmental projects **across 20 countries**, supporting 28 different
initiatives.

![The three prizes within the Iris Prize.](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/
2026/03/the-iris-prize-2026-three-prizes@2x.png)

_Image: The Iris Project_

Projects of interest include Oceans & Coastal Restoration, Climate Justice & Equity,
and Sustainable Food Systems. Director Millie Edwards notes a particular emphasis
this year on outreach across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Latin America to ensure
resources reach leaders on the frontlines of climate breakdown.

The founders of the Iris Prize also hope that it will inspire other funders to emulate
their approach, toseeking more effective, long-term support for youth-led climate
and nature work.

[Applications for the Iris Prize](http://www.theirisproject.org) are open **from
4 March until 8 April 2026**.

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