Deadline: April 27, 2025

The IUCN Changemakers Program is perfect for young innovators looking to scale their work and influence top decision-makers from government, business, and civil society. Changemakers will receive delegate access to the IUCN World Conservation Congress, along with paid travel, meals, and accommodation in Abu Dhabi. They’ll get the unique chance to pitch their ideas to global leaders in English, French, or Spanish. The Congress will cover five key themes, including equity in conservation, climate resilience, and nature-positive economies, offering a platform for voices that are often unheard to create lasting impact.

This is more than just a conference—it’s a movement for a nature-positive future. IUCN especially welcomes youth from the Global South, indigenous communities, minority groups, and female innovators to apply. If you’re working on a solution that uplifts your community while protecting the planet, don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become part of the world’s largest conservation gathering.

Themes

• Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action: Expanding conservation efforts through science, traditional knowledge, and community empowerment to ensure biodiversity thrives amid climate change.
• Reducing Climate Overshoot Risks: Implementing aggressive emissions reductions, adaptation strategies, and nature-based solutions to prevent irreversible environmental damage.
• Delivering on Equity: Ensuring conservation efforts are just, inclusive, and centered on indigenous peoples, women, youth, and local communities.
• Transitioning to Nature-Positive Economies and Societies: Shifting from extractive to regenerative economic models that restore ecosystems and sustain livelihoods.
• Disruptive Innovation and Leadership for Conservation: Challenging the status quo through bold, inclusive leadership, new technologies, and innovative governance models to drive systemic change in conservation.

Benefits

• Delegate access to the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi
• An exclusive opportunity to pitch your innovative environmental action project (in English, French or Spanish) to global leaders
• Networking opportunities with leading conservationists, policymakers, and corporates onsite
• Sponsored travel and accommodation in Abu Dhabi
• Meals and other expenses covered for the duration of the stay in Abu Dhabi

Eligibility

You should apply to be a Changemaker at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 if you:

• Are aged 18 – 35
• Have demonstrated leadership and experience in developing and implementing innovative solutions and cutting-edge environmental action projects in the fields of nature conservation, biodiversity, climate change, and/or sustainable development
• Are currently working on an innovative solution or environmental action project that aligns with one or more of the IUCN Congress themes

They especially encourage candidates to apply if their initiatives foster equity, inclusivity, intergenerational collaboration, and/or adopt a rights-based approach in their design and implementation.

For more information, visit

To apply, click here