Eco-Hero Awards

Scholarship Sponsored by Action for Nature

Since 2003, the U.S. non-profit organization, Action For Nature (AFN), has annually acknowledged and rewarded young individuals who are actively addressing the world's challenging environmental issues.

We take immense pride in celebrating the efforts of youngsters aged between 8 and 16 from around the world, who have undertaken innovative environmental projects. They are rewarded with a cash prize, a certificate of achievement, and public recognition.

AWARDS

The winners are awarded a cash prize of up to $500, a unique certificate of achievement, public acknowledgment on our website and media, and exclusive membership to our Eco-Hero Alumni Facebook Group.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Are you an Eco-Hero?

Do you want the world to acknowledge your efforts?

Or do you know someone who is an Eco-Hero?

Kindly go through the Application Guidelines to check your eligibility to apply for the Young Eco-Hero title.

If you or someone you know qualifies, we encourage you to apply.

Have you been contributing to the preservation of our environment?

Have you been educating others about environmental protection?

Have you been involved in an environmental research project?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are a Young Eco-Hero. All Eco-Heroes serve as inspirations, demonstrating that every individual can make a difference.

EVALUATION

Youth from around the world submit their applications detailing their work. A panel of judges, including experts in environmental science, biology, and education, then select the year’s top achievers.

Our judges, who are experts in environmental science, biology, and environmental health, are on the lookout for young individuals to follow their path.

We take pride in all our winners and applicants from around the globe.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your environmental activism and creative work. We eagerly anticipate supporting young individuals from around the world in their efforts to save our planet.

The 2024 International Young Eco-Hero Awards applications are now OPEN until February 28, 2024. Please ensure you read the guidelines below before applying. Want to become an Eco-Hero but unsure where to start? Get inspired to take personal action for nature!

RECOGNIZING ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS

Action For Nature (AFN), a non-profit organization, established the International Young Eco-Hero Awards to acknowledge and reward the successful individual environmental initiatives of young people aged 8 to 16. AFN motivates young individuals worldwide to undertake individual environmental action projects. We believe that young people can positively impact the environment and are crucial in transforming the way we inhabit our planet.

Winners are chosen by an independent team of judges with expertise in environmental issues.

AWARDS

Winners will receive:

• PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND MEDIA PRESS RELEASE
• CASH PRIZE UP TO $500
• CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCEPTIONAL EFFORTS TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT
• EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP TO OUR ECO-HERO ALUMNI FACEBOOK GROUP

Equally important, winners will serve as role models for other young individuals by demonstrating that each person can make a difference.

To apply, applicants who have initiated their own environmental project will document it by completing our online application form.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

1. The project should be related to environmental health, advocacy, research, or protection of the natural world.
2. The project should be action-based and self-initiated, and not assigned by a teacher or other adult.
3. The project should be at least 6 months long and close to completion or completed within the last year.
4. If the project is an invention, some trials should be completed before applying.
5. Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 16 on February 28th in the year of application.
6. 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.
7. We do not accept (a) projects related to domestic or confined animals, (b) compositions or reports.
8. Previous winners, immediate relatives of AFN board members, active reading panel members, or judges, may not apply.
9. Only applications in English are accepted.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Preference is given to projects of 2+ years and/or ongoing projects.

The applications will be evaluated based on 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