ApPLICATIONS FOR 2023 ARE CLOSED
Applications for the 2024 International Young Eco-Hero Awards are now CLOSED as of February 28, 2024. Please read the guidelines below before you apply. Want to become an Eco-Hero but not sure where to start? Get inspired to take personal action for nature!
Rewarding Environmental Initiative
Action For Nature (AFN), a non-profit organization, created the International Young Eco-Hero Awards to recognize and reward the successful individual environmental initiatives of young people ages 8 to 16. AFN encourages young people around the world to carry out individual environmental action projects. We believe that young people can have a positive impact on the environment and are vital in changing the way we live on our planet.
Winners are selected by a team of independent judges with experience in environmental issues.
PRIZES
Winners will receive:
PUBLIC RECOGNITION AND MEDIA PRESS RELEASE
CASH PRIZE UP to $500
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOr OUTSTANDING EFFORTS TO HELP PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO OUR ECO-HERO ALUMNI FACEBOOK GROUP
Just as importantly, winners will serve as role models for other young people by demonstrating that each individual can make a difference.
To apply, applicants who have initiated an environmental project of their own will document it by completing our online application form.
Project REQUIREMENTS
The project concerns environmental health, advocacy, research, or protection of the natural world.
The project is action-based and self-initiated, and not one assigned by a teacher or other adult.
The project should be at least 6 months long and close to completion or completed within the last year.
If the project is an invention, some trials should be completed before applying.
Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 16 on February 28th of the year of application.
Science Fair and Scouting Badge projects will only be considered if they include environmental action, educational outreach to others, or extended studies beyond the Science Fair and Scouting Badges.
We do not accept (a) projects related to domestic or confined animals, (b) compositions or reports.
Previous winners, immediate relatives of AFN board members, active reading panel members, or judges, may not apply.
Only applications in English are accepted.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Preference is given to projects of 2+ years and/or ongoing projects.
The applications will be judged according to several criteria, including but not limited to:
originality
difficulty
organization
length of time devoted to the project
influencing/educating others
use of outside resources (e.g. library, experts, media, community leaders)
degree of success in reaching goals
the impact on the environment
