Youth For Earth
Cash award up to INR 50,000 & national showcase
500 participants
Annual student-led sustainability action challenge for school and college teams, with cash awards and national showcase at the ICSE conference in New Delhi.
Mode
Hybrid
Fee
Free
Participation format
Team
Teams of 5 to 8
Duration
Project execution typically spans 3 to 5 months, culminating in the ICSE conference in September.
Time needed
Depends on the time taken to make the entry
Eligibility
Open to teams of 5 to 8 students from Classes 8 to 12 across India. Each team must have a faculty mentor and be officially nominated by the institution. Only non-funded, student-led projects with on-ground implementation are accepted.
- Grade level
- Grade 8 to 12
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Students must be enrolled in a recognised school (Classes 8 to 12) and nominated by their Principal or Head of Department.
- Prerequisites
- Institutional nomination by Principal or Head of Department
- Faculty mentor for the team
- A practical, field-implemented sustainability project
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Rs 50,000
Winning teams receive cash awards, which are transferred to their institutional accounts after the ICSE conference. 1st Prize – INR 50,000, 2nd Prize – INR 30,000, and Commendation Prize of INR 25,000 each will be awarded to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th rank holders.
Certificate
Certificate from Mobius Foundation
All participating teams receive certificates of participation, and faculty mentors receive mentorship certificates. Winning teams receive certificates of achievement at the ICSE conference.
Recognition
National recognition at ICSE conference
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration opened
- 11 Feb 2026
- Registration closed
- 7 Apr 2026
- Competition
- 2 Sept 2026 to 3 Sept 2026
How to apply
- 1Institution nominates a team of 5 to 8 students and a faculty mentor
- 2Team registers via the official Google Form before the deadline
- 3Team executes the sustainability project on the ground
- 4Submission of detailed project report, 10 high-resolution geotagged images and a 1 to 2 minute journey video
- 5Shortlisted teams are showcased at the ICSE conference in New Delhi
Rules and guidelines
- Each team must have between 5 and 8 student members
- Each team must be mentored by a teacher or faculty member nominated by the institution
- Only non-funded, student-led projects are eligible; NGO-led and externally funded projects are not accepted
- Submissions must include geotagged evidence and a project journey video
- Each institution may submit a maximum of two projects under different sub-themes
Technology requirements
- Smartphone or camera capable of capturing geotagged photographs
- Internet access for online submission and documentation
About this opportunity
Youth For Earth (Y4E) is an annual student-led sustainability action challenge organised by Mobius Foundation in collaboration with The Climate Reality Project India and South Asia. The initiative invites school and college teams across India to design, implement and document real environmental projects in their communities.
The programme is open to students of Classes 8 to 12 and college students who apply as a team of five to eight members, accompanied by a faculty mentor and officially nominated by the institution. Only non-funded, student-led projects are eligible, and purely theoretical or model-based submissions are not accepted.
Winning teams receive cash awards transferred to their institutional accounts, participation certificates, mentorship certificates for faculty, and a national platform at the International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE) at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Projects are judged on innovation, climate impact, scalability and on-ground implementation.
Rounds and format
Round 1 is the team registration and project execution stage where institutions submit detailed reports, geotagged images and a project video. Round 2 is the evaluation and showcase stage at the International Conference on Sustainability Education in New Delhi, where shortlisted teams present their work to the panel.
How entries are judged
Projects are evaluated on innovation, measurable climate or environmental impact, scalability, depth of on-ground implementation, quality of documentation including geotagged evidence, and the team's project journey video.
Selection process
Shortlisting is based on the strength of on-ground implementation and supporting evidence. Theoretical or model-only submissions are not considered. Each institution may submit a maximum of two projects under different sub-themes.
Academic details
Difficulty: Intermediate
What's covered
Themes typically include climate resilience, circular economy, biodiversity conservation, water stewardship and behaviour change initiatives, aligned with the annual ICSE theme.
Frequently asked questions
How can participants maximize their chances of success in the Youth For Earth challenge?
Success in the Youth For Earth challenge is often achieved by focusing on innovative solutions, demonstrating clear and measurable environmental impact, ensuring robust on-ground implementation, and providing thorough, well-documented evidence of the project's journey and outcomes. Strong teamwork and a compelling presentation at the national showcase are also crucial.
What are the common pitfalls or mistakes teams should avoid during project implementation?
Teams should avoid purely theoretical approaches, insufficient documentation, lack of clear objectives, and inconsistent on-ground efforts. It is important to ensure that all submitted evidence, especially geotagged photos and videos, accurately reflects the project's progress and impact. Neglecting the faculty mentor's guidance can also be a pitfall.
How are projects evaluated, and what are the key ranking factors for winning teams?
Projects are evaluated based on innovation, measurable climate or environmental impact, scalability, depth of on-ground implementation, and the quality of documentation, including geotagged evidence and the project journey video. The presentation at the ICSE conference for shortlisted teams also plays a significant role in final ranking.
What support is available for teams facing challenges during their project execution?
Teams are encouraged to work closely with their faculty mentors for guidance and support throughout the project. The Mobius Foundation also provides resources and, where possible, connects teams with experts for specific challenges. Regular communication with the organizing committee can help address unforeseen issues.
How does participation in Youth For Earth contribute to a student's long-term development?
Participation fosters critical skills in project management, environmental research, teamwork, and public presentation. It builds a tangible portfolio of field-implemented sustainability work, enhances leadership capabilities, and provides national recognition, which can be beneficial for future academic and career pursuits in environmental and social sectors.
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