The 2026 Climate Catalysts Programme was an online regional fellowship run by UNDP in partnership with Microsoft. It supported early-stage, youth-led ventures across Asia and the Pacific that were piloting solutions in clean water, renewable energy, air quality, sustainable food, circular economy, nature, and climate resilience.
Participants developed investment readiness, impact measurement, ecosystem knowledge, and regional connections. The official materials document one 2026 cycle and do not publish a repeat schedule.
Benefits & funding
- Eight weeks of weekly online learning focused on investment readiness and climate-entrepreneurship ecosystem knowledge.
- Peer exchange with young climate entrepreneurs across Asia and the Pacific.
- Access to the Climate Opportunity Network, a support hub, coaching, community resources, and more than 1,000 listed global opportunities.
- Regional visibility through UNDP channels and priority consideration for future grants, partner programmes, in-person events, and ecosystem opportunities; this was not a guarantee of later funding.
- The official programme pages list no participation fee, stipend, grant, or direct cash award.
Eligibility
- Applicants had to be early-stage, youth-led startups, social enterprises, non-profits, or community initiatives operating across the Asia-Pacific region.
- The initiative had to be beyond the idea stage, piloting a climate- or environment-focused solution, and demonstrating early community or user impact.
- Founders had to be 18–35 years old.
- Applicants had to be able to participate fully in the online fellowship and regional engagement activities.
- No nationality, residency, gender, degree, or work-experience requirement was stated. Initiatives with women co-founders and those serving underserved communities were encouraged, not required.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Age requirement
18–35 yrs
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Application process
- 1Review the official UNDP announcement, focus areas, and eligibility requirements.
- 2Use the Microsoft Forms link provided by UNDP and describe the venture, pilot-stage solution, and early community or user impact.
- 3Submit the form by the stated deadline.
Program timeline
UNDP announced applications.
Jan 28, 2026
Application deadline.
Mar 6, 2026
The selected cohort launched.
Apr 22, 2026
The fellowship concluded with a virtual Demo Day.
Early June 2026
Top Demo Day teams were invited to present at the Youth Co:Lab Summit in Bangkok.
Jun 29, 2026 to Jun 30, 2026