ABOUT THE AWARD

The Climate Innovation Award for Young Women in Nigeria is a pioneering national initiative designed to identify, recognize, support, and scale innovative climate solutions led by young women across Nigeria.

The Award was created in response to the increasing climate and environmental challenges affecting communities across the country, including flooding, environmental degradation, waste pollution, food insecurity, energy access challenges, and climate-related vulnerabilities that disproportionately affect women and young people.

Across Nigeria, many young women are already developing practical and impactful solutions in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, circular economy, waste management, climate technology, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable enterprise development. However, despite their innovations and contributions, many remain under-recognized, underfunded, and disconnected from institutional support systems that could help them scale their impact.

The Climate Innovation Award seeks to bridge this gap by creating a national platform that not only recognizes women-led climate innovations but also strengthens their visibility, technical capacity, leadership potential, and access to opportunities.

The maiden edition of the Award is designed as a pilot initiative to build a new generation of women climate innovators, green entrepreneurs, and sustainability leaders contributing to Nigeria’s climate resilience and green economic transition.

OBJECTIVES OF THE AWARD

The Award aims to:

• Identify and showcase innovative climate solutions led by young women across Nigeria
• Support scalable and community-driven climate innovations
• Strengthen technical, entrepreneurial, and leadership capacity of selected participants
• Promote gender-responsive climate action and green job creation
• Increase visibility and recognition for women-led climate solutions
• Create linkages between innovators, policymakers, development partners, investors, and stakeholders
• Contribute to climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and inclusive green development

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applications are open to:

• Young women aged 15–35 years
• Nigerian citizens residing in any state across Nigeria
• Individuals, startups, social enterprises, community groups, or organizations led by young women
• Applicants working on existing or early-stage climate/environmental innovations with demonstrated impact or strong potential for scalability

Applicants may apply individually or as part of a registered or unregistered initiative, provided the innovation is women-led.

FOCUS AREAS

Applicants working in the following thematic areas are encouraged to apply:

1. Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Innovations that help communities adapt to climate change impacts such as flooding, drought, heat stress, and environmental vulnerability.

2. Just Transition & Renewable Energy

Solutions promoting clean energy access, renewable technologies, energy efficiency, and inclusive green transitions.

3. Waste Management and Circular Economy

Innovations focused on recycling, waste-to-value, upcycling, sustainable production, and circular economy systems.

4. Climate-Smart Agriculture

Solutions that improve food security, sustainable agriculture, agroecology, soil conservation, and resilient farming systems.

5. Green Enterprise & Environmental Sustainability

Environmentally sustainable business models, green livelihoods, eco-enterprises, and sustainability-focused innovations.

6. Climate Technology & Data-Driven Solutions

Technology-driven innovations addressing climate challenges through digital tools, data systems, AI, GIS, mobile platforms, or smart solutions.

7. Nature-Based Solutions, Ecosystem Protection & Restoration

Projects focused on reforestation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, mangrove protection, and natural climate solutions.

8. Flood Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction

Community innovations that reduce disaster risks, improve preparedness, and strengthen resilience to climate-related emergencies.

9. Sustainable Water and Sanitation

Solutions improving water access, sanitation systems, water conservation, and environmental health.

WHAT SELECTED PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE

Selected participants will benefit from:

• National recognition and visibility
• Capacity strengthening and innovation support
• Access to technical and institutional guidance
• Networking opportunities with policymakers, experts, and stakeholders
• Exposure to development partners and climate actors
• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships
• Scale-up funding support for selected finalists

Selected finalists may receive USD $500 – $1,500 scale-up support depending on project category, innovation strength, and available partnership support.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Award will be implemented in three major stages:

STAGE 1 – NATIONAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications will be opened nationwide to identify young women climate innovators from across Nigeria.

Applicants will submit:

• Information about themselves and their innovation/project
• Problem statement and proposed solution
• Evidence of impact or implementation
• Sustainability and scalability potential

The application process is free and open to eligible applicants across all geopolitical zones.

STAGE 2 – SCREENING & CAPACITY STRENGTHENING

Applications will undergo a transparent screening and review process conducted by technical experts, institutional partners, and reviewers.

Shortlisted applicants will participate in:

• Virtual capacity-building sessions
• Innovation strengthening workshops
• Leadership and enterprise development sessions
• Climate adaptation and sustainability training
• Mentorship and stakeholder engagement opportunities

This stage is designed to improve participants’:

• Technical capacity
• Innovation readiness
• Sustainability planning
• Visibility and communication
• Investment and partnership readiness

STAGE 3 – FINAL SELECTION & AWARD CEREMONY

Finalists will be selected to participate in the Climate Innovation Award and Climate Dialogue Event in Lagos State.

The final stage will include:

• Pitch and presentation opportunities
• Networking with stakeholders and experts
• National recognition and visibility
• Award presentations
• Climate innovation dialogue sessions

Selected finalists outside Lagos State may receive travel and accommodation support to participate physically in the event.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Innovation and originality
• Community impact
• Climate relevance
• Sustainability potential
• Scalability and feasibility
• Leadership and commitment
• Social and environmental value

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Application is FREE.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• ICEHD reserves the right to verify submitted information.
• Submission of false information may lead to disqualification.
• Applicants are encouraged to provide clear and accurate information.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

[Insert Application Deadline Here]

Late submissions may not be considered.

HOW TO APPLY

Click the link below to access the official application form:

👉 Apply Here:

🔗 https://ICEHD-AWARD

CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries and partnership opportunities:

International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD)
📧 icehd50@gmail.com
🌐 www.icehd.org
📞 +234 812 156 6591 | +234 707 588 4968

Empowering Young Women to Drive Climate Innovation and Sustainable Development in Nigeria