Young people aged 15 to 29 who are passionate about climate action, sustainability, environmental protection, zero waste or the circular economy are invited to apply for the COP31 Youth Climate Ideathon in Turkey. The programme will bring together young people from different cities and academic or professional backgrounds to develop practical solutions to real environmental and climate-related challenges.

Selected participants will spend three days working in teams to develop innovative solutions with the support of expert mentors. They will have the opportunity to refine their ideas, receive one-to-one guidance and present their solutions before a jury. The programme will also provide participants with an opportunity to build networks with young people from across Turkey and gain practical experience in turning climate ideas into applicable solutions.

Participants can develop ideas under one of eight themes: green skills and climate literacy; youth participation and climate leadership; climate change adaptation and resilience; air pollution, clean air and green transformation; forest fire prevention, drought and water stress; agriculture and food security; renewable energy and carbon footprint reduction; and youth-friendly, environmentally friendly sports facilities.

The Ideathon will take place in seven Turkish cities on different dates: Istanbul from 4–6 September 2026, Rize from 9–11 September, Adana from 18–20 September, Konya from 25–27 September, Izmir from 2–4 October, Mardin from 9–11 October, and Erzurum from 16–18 October 2026.

The most successful teams will have the opportunity to participate in the COP31 process in Antalya and present their ideas on an international platform. Selected teams will also have the chance to take part in an International Ideathon held alongside the COP31 process, where they can work with participants from different countries and further develop their solutions on an international scale.

Applicants are required to submit a short solution related to one of the designated themes during the application process. Applications are submitted through the E-Genç Platform. The opportunity is open to young people between the ages of 15 and 29 who are interested in contributing to solutions for the climate crisis and shaping the environmental policies of the future.

Applications are currently open. Interested young people are encouraged to apply through the E-Genç Platform and share an innovative, practical idea that could contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity