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The G20 Global Land Initiative and the International Trade Center (ITC) have officially launched the Ye! Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2024 (YECO 2024).  This landmark initiative is a significant step towards achieving the G20 goal of training 10,000 young ecopreneurs by 2040, who can lead private sector efforts to reduce degraded land by 50 per cent by 2040.

YECO 2024 is a comprehensive one-year programme that will empower 100 young ecopreneurs who are venturing into land-related businesses. It will provide the innovators with training, mentorship and coaching needed to position them for success in their entrepreneurial journey. The programme is supported by esteemed partners: World Intellectual Property Organization, Google and the American legal firm Sidley Austin LLP. 

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Youth Ecopreneur Programme 2024,” said Paula Padrino Vilela, Programme Management Officer, G20 GLI. 

“This initiative underscores our commitment to nurture the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders and to drive impactful change in land management practices globally,” she added.

The programme offers two categories for applicants: Green Business Solutions and Land Restoration. The Land Restoration category is for entrepreneurs engaged in activities such as reforestation, soil conservation and wetland restoration, who will receive, in addition, specialized support and equity-free seed funding to bolster their initiatives.

Applicants aged 35 years or less are invited to apply for YECO 2024 before 22 March 2024. 

The application process promises to be a transformative journey, offering participants access to a series of enriching experiences including:

• Global Bootcamp: Featuring training sessions and masterclasses on investment readiness, facilitated by industry experts and mentors from the Ye! Community.
• Accelerator: Providing tailored business assessments, coaching and access to investment networks, along with preferential access to legal services and Google’s StartUp for Sustainable Development Programme.
• Awards: Recognizing outstanding ecopreneurs with all-expenses-paid trips to international conferences, personalized pitch training and the chance to win $10,000 USD in prize money.

ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said: “Young people are today’s leaders, and climate change is the defining issue of our time. Through this new accelerator programme, building on the good work we’ve done with our partners, young entrepreneurs with green solutions will gain the information, skills and networks they need to create a more sustainable and inclusive world.”

The YECO 2024 programme represents a collaborative effort to drive innovation, promote sustainability and empower youth to become agents of change in the global landscape. 

During the application period, stakeholders are encouraged to spread the word and support the next generation of ecopreneurs in their efforts to make our lands and biodiversity resilient to climate change.

For more information and to apply, please visit: www.social.yecommunity.com

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