The Earthshot Prize, the world's most prestigious environmental award, and Alana, a Brazilian philanthropic organisation focused on children's rights, have expanded their partnership to India. This expansion includes the launch of the I CAN Earthshot Challenge, delivered in collaboration with Design for Change, aiming to empower young environmental changemakers aged 9-17 across the country.
I CAN Earthshot Challenge Reaches Nearly One Million Students
The initiative will reach close to one million students through a nationwide programme delivered online and across more than 15,000 schools in 24 states. Participants will identify local environmental challenges linked to one of The Earthshot Prize's five Earthshots: Protect and Restore Nature, Revive Our Oceans, Clean Our Air, Fix Our Climate, and Build a Waste-Free World.
Using Design for Change's Feel, Imagine, Do and Share (FIDS) framework, children will develop creative solutions, take action in their communities, and share their impact. The programme represents the biggest youth outreach in The Earthshot Prize's history.
Finalists to Attend Earthshot Prize Summit and Awards Night in Mumbai
Finalists will travel to Mumbai in November to attend The Earthshot Prize Summit and Awards Night and participate in The Children's Earthshot programme. There, they will connect with fellow young changemakers, environmental leaders, and innovators. Five winners, one for each Earthshot, will receive a US$2,000 grant to implement their ideas.
Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, said, "India's young people have the creativity, ambition and determination to help solve some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. We are thrilled to launch the I CAN Earthshot Challenge and hope to inspire and support a new wave of leaders who can turn ideas into action for people and the planet."
Alana and Design for Change Leaders Highlight Youth Potential
Pedro Hartung, CEO of Alana, said, "For more than a decade, Alana has invested in initiatives that prove what happens when children are invited to participate not as beneficiaries, but as contributors and leaders. We have seen children improve schools, influence public debates and advance environmental solutions in their own communities. Supporting the I CAN Earthshot Challenge is a natural extension of that belief: that children are not only inheriting the future--they can help shape it today."
Kiran Bir Sethi, Founder of Design for Change, said, "Children have an incredible capacity to create change when they are given the opportunity to act. Through the I CAN Earthshot Challenge, young people across India will be encouraged to believe in their ability to make a difference and take meaningful action for a more sustainable future."
Challenge Opens July 1; Builds on Brazil Partnership
From 1st July, children across India can access the I CAN Earthshot Challenge via the Design for Change website. The toolkit introduces the five Earthshots and guides participants through the FIDS framework. Design for Change will work with teachers across 15,000 schools in 24 states, while children anywhere in India can submit solutions online.
The programme builds on the partnership between The Earthshot Prize and Alana, which began in 2025 in Brazil with Mini COP, a child-focused simulation of UN climate negotiations. Selected participants engaged with global leaders at The Earthshot Prize's Impact Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Now, the partnership expands to India with Design for Change.
India Leads in Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists
India is home to more Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists than any other country, with seven Finalists to date, including four Winners. These include Takachar (converting agricultural waste into bio-products), Kheyti (Greenhouse-in-a-Box for smallholder farmers), and S4S Technologies (solar-powered food processing to tackle food waste). These innovators reflect India's depth in clean energy, regenerative agriculture, waste management, and air quality.
With the world's largest youth population, young people are central to this year's Earthshot Prize engagement ahead of the Summit and Awards Night in Mumbai. The challenge was announced during The Earthshot Prize's Impact Assembly co-hosted with Bloomberg Philanthropies during London Climate Action Week.
