The Green Entrepreneurship Challenge, launched by YuWaah (Generation Unlimited India) in partnership with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the Skill Council for Green Jobs, and CapGemini, is a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower young changemakers. Its mission is to identify and scale innovative, youth-centric models that unlock green livelihoods and entrepreneurship opportunities across India.
This challenge is not just a competition, it is a movement to build a youth-led green economy that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term impact.
Purpose of the Challenge
The Green Entrepreneurship Challenge seeks to:
- Identify organizations with proven green entrepreneurship or livelihood models (at least at pilot or proof-of-concept stage).
- Support models that can be replicated across the country to maximize impact.
- Create 500 youth entrepreneurs (ages 18–29) per partner, with a strong emphasis on young women’s participation.
- Build end-to-end entrepreneurship ecosystems that integrate training, finance, technology, and market access.
Key Features of the Challenge
The Challenge is designed to support end-to-end green youth entrepreneurship models that include:
- Training and Skilling
- Equipping youth with green competencies and business skills.
- Building capacity for sustainable enterprise creation.
- Access to Finance and Markets
- Connecting entrepreneurs to funding opportunities.
- Facilitating entry into local, national, and global markets.
- Digital Tools and Technology (Optional)
- Leveraging digital platforms for enterprise growth.
- Using technology to scale operations and improve efficiency.
- Business Viability
- Ensuring income generation for at least six months from business launch.
- Demonstrating sustainability and profitability of the model.
Benefits for Selected Partners
Up to four partners will be selected to receive comprehensive support. Each partner will benefit from:
- Catalytic Funding
- Financial support ranging from USD 30,000–50,000 per partner.
- Technical Guidance and Mentorship
- Access to leading experts and industry mentors.
- Tailored advice to strengthen business models and scale impact.
- Government and Ecosystem Connect
- Opportunities to engage with policymakers.
- Support for policy adoption and ecosystem integration.
- Capacity-Building Support
- Training in monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
- Guidance on youth engagement and communication strategies.
- Visibility and Recognition
- Promotion through YuWaah and partner platforms.
- Enhanced credibility and exposure to investors, stakeholders, and collaborators.
Timeline
The Challenge follows a structured timeline to ensure transparency and efficiency:
- Applications Open: 15 December 2025
- Application Deadline: Extended until 9 January 2026
- Evaluation & Jury Rounds: January – February 2026
- Partner Onboarding: March – April 2026
Who Can Apply?
The Challenge invites applications from:
- Organizations with green entrepreneurship or livelihood models at pilot/proof-of-concept stage.
- Initiatives that demonstrate replicability and scalability across India.
- Programs that prioritize youth empowerment, especially women aged 18–29.
- Enterprises committed to sustainability, inclusivity, and measurable impact.
Why This Challenge Matters
The Green Entrepreneurship Challenge is more than funding, it is about building a movement of youth-led enterprises that:
- Address climate change through green solutions.
- Create sustainable livelihoods for young people.
- Strengthen India’s transition toward a green economy.
- Empower women and marginalized communities to lead in entrepreneurship.
By combining training, finance, mentorship, and visibility, the Challenge ensures that selected partners are equipped to scale their models nationally and contribute to systemic change.
Join us in shaping a youth-led green economy for India. If your organization has a proven model that integrates sustainability, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment, this is your chance to scale your impact.
Apply now and become part of a transformative journey toward a greener, more inclusive future.
