Youth Champion In Environmental Action & Awareness Award

Youth Action for a Sustainable Future

A healthy environment is essential to thriving communities, resilient ecosystems, and sustainable economies. Yet around the world, our natural systems are facing growing pressures from climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and the unsustainable use of resources. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires innovative solutions, collective action, and the meaningful engagement of young people in building a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

The Youth Champion in Environmental Awareness Award recognizes young leaders in Ontario who are taking meaningful action to address environmental awareness. Through innovation, advocacy, research, conservation, and community engagement, youth are helping shape a more sustainable future.

At its core, this award celebrates young people who are not only raising awareness, but also creating practical, measurable, and solution-oriented change.

Recognizing Inspiring Young Leaders

In collaboration with the International Peace Festival and Waterfront Media, through this Award, UNU-INWEH recognizes inspiring young leaders, aged 15-24, who have shown exceptional dedication to advancing climate, water and environmental issues through activism, research, or community engagement. The recipients should embody innovation, resilience, and the ability to mobilize others. Their work may include leading grassroots campaigns, organizing clean-ups or awareness initiatives, developing innovative solutions for water and climate challenges, advocating for stronger environmental policies, or using creative platforms to engage communities. Nominees may be involved in initiatives related to environmental conservation, climate action, biodiversity protection, sustainable water resource management, clean energy, research, education, advocacy, environmental policy, or community-based solutions that promote a more sustainable and resilient future.

The award is open to nominees from Ontario, Canada, and recognizes the important role young people play in protecting water resources and inspiring, responsible action for future generations.

Nomination Deadline

Nominations are now open for 2026.

Deadline: 27 August 2026

Aims and Goals

The Youth Champion in Environmental Action & Awareness Award aims to:

Recognize youth leadership in addressing environmental and climate challenges.
Elevate environmental sustainability and climate resilience as public and intergenerational priorities.
Encourage practical solutions that promote sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship.
Support youth-led innovation, advocacy, research, and community action.
Inspire more young people to become active contributors to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Highlight scalable initiatives that help protect communities, ecosystems, and the natural environment.

By celebrating youth action, the award helps shift the conversation from awareness to meaningful engagement and long-term solutions.

Award Recognition

The recipients will be announced and recognized at an event to be hosted in Toronto, Ontario in September 2026.

Eligibility

The award is open to nominees who:

Are between the ages of 15 and 24
Live in Ontario, Canada
Have demonstrated leadership in addressing climate, water and environmental challenges
Have contributed to practical, measurable, or community-based solutions
Show a long-term commitment to sustainability challenges

Eligible contributions may include:

Environmental conservation and climate action initiatives
Improving the sustainable use of natural resources in communities, schools, or industries
Protecting ecosystems, biodiversity, forests, wetlands, and other natural environments
Research related to climate change, environmental sustainability, renewable energy, or ecological resilience
Advocacy, education, or public awareness campaigns that promote environmental stewardship and climate action
Community engagement projects that encourage sustainable practices and environmental responsibility
Innovative tools, technologies, programs, or solutions that address climate, water or environmental challenges
Projects that have amplified diverse perspectives, created opportunities for peer participation, or influenced decision-making to advance environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Nomination Criteria

Nominees will be considered based on the following criteria:

Leadership
Demonstrated ability to inspire, organize, or influence others toward sustainability.
Innovation
Creative approaches, ideas, or solutions that address sustainability.
Measurable Impact
Clear evidence of positive outcomes, community benefit, or meaningful progress.
Commitment
Long-term commitment to addressing sustainability challenges.

How to Nominate

Please submit nominations by completing the following form: Nomination Form

Who can Nominate

Nominations are open to anyone who is familiar with the nominee’s work, achievements, or contributions. This includes, but is not limited to:

Teachers, professors, or academic advisors
Employers, supervisors, or colleagues
Mentors or program coordinators
Community leaders or representatives of partner organizations
Peers who have worked directly with the nominee

Nominators must have direct knowledge of the nominee’s work and be able to speak credibly to its impact, quality, and relevance to sustainability issues.

Self-nominations are not permitted. Nominees may not submit a nomination on their own behalf.

Contact

For further Comments or questions, you may contact: awards@unu.edu

Help us recognize Ontario’s next generation of environmental leaders. Submit your nomination today and celebrate youth action for a better tomorrow.

Past Youth Champions in Environmental Action & Awareness

2025 Recipients

	Julia Baribeau (24, Kitchener–Waterloo, ON) Applied Solutions Advisor, Enviro-Stewards \| BASc in Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo For supporting communities through sustainable, locally led water initiatives—helping expand clean water access in the Global South and promoting sustainability innovation and intrapreneurship in Ontario Julia Baribeau advances community-led water security through engineering and social entrepreneurship. With Safe Water Social Ventures, she implemented biosand filtration and water kiosk projects in Uganda and South Sudan, pairing clean water access with local income generation. At Enviro-Stewards, she helps Canadian industries reduce waste and improve efficiency. Her time with Barefoot College in India strengthened her commitment to Indigenous water sovereignty and equity-driven innovation.
	Jenna Elshurafa (21, Toronto, ON) Youth Fellow in Diplomacy and Sustainable Development, UNU-INWEH \| Economics Student, University of Toronto For uplifting youth voices through inclusive leadership, public outreach, and creative storytelling—elevating diverse perspectives to inspire action on water and climate challenges Jenna Elshurafa bridges disciplines through storytelling, visual communication, and inclusive diplomacy. Through her advocacy and public engagement initiatives, Jenna has amplified awareness of urgent challenges such as water scarcity, plastic pollution, and climate resilience— making complex environmental and social justice issues more accessible. In the UAE, she helped lead a movement to replace plastic water bottles in pilates studios, starting a plastics-free campaign. Her cross-disciplinary work embodies the belief that diversity of thought and voice is essential to global sustainability. Her involvement in the first plastic-free pilates studio in Dubai is an example of Jenna's impactful work.
	Aimée Tai (21, Richmond Hill, ON) Founder, Neighbours for the Planet \| Materials Science & Engineering Student, University of Toronto For supporting water security and environmental sustainability through practical clean water solutions, inclusive design, and advocacy that engages communities locally and globally Aimée Tai co-developed a rainwater harvesting and filtration system in the Philippines designed to combat water scarcity through low-cost, community-led maintenance. Locally, as the founder of Neighbours for the Planet, she fosters collective climate action through education and engagement. Her research optimizing desalination membrane synthesis using Bayesian methods showcased how innovation and environmental stewardship can work hand-in-hand.
	Matthew Tyhurst (18, Halton Hills, ON) Climate Motivator, United Church of Canada \| Political Science & Legal Studies Student, University of Waterloo For encouraging community action and policy awareness through youth activism, collaboration across generations, and leadership in environmental education and climate advocacy A youth leader with the United Church of Canada and a public speaker on climate and democracy, Matthew Tyhurst has influenced local policy, including stopping a proposed gas plant expansion through youth-led mobilization. As a Vote16 Canada advocate, he promotes lowering the federal voting age and developed a municipal politics education program during a co-op with the Town of Halton Hills. He also served as Secondary Co-Chair of the Halton District School Board’s Environmental & Global Leadership Committee.

	Julia Baribeau (24, Kitchener–Waterloo, ON) Applied Solutions Advisor, Enviro-Stewards \| BASc in Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo For supporting communities through sustainable, locally led water initiatives—helping expand clean water access in the Global South and promoting sustainability innovation and intrapreneurship in Ontario Julia Baribeau advances community-led water security through engineering and social entrepreneurship. With Safe Water Social Ventures, she implemented biosand filtration and water kiosk projects in Uganda and South Sudan, pairing clean water access with local income generation. At Enviro-Stewards, she helps Canadian industries reduce waste and improve efficiency. Her time with Barefoot College in India strengthened her commitment to Indigenous water sovereignty and equity-driven innovation.
	Jenna Elshurafa (21, Toronto, ON) Youth Fellow in Diplomacy and Sustainable Development, UNU-INWEH \| Economics Student, University of Toronto For uplifting youth voices through inclusive leadership, public outreach, and creative storytelling—elevating diverse perspectives to inspire action on water and climate challenges Jenna Elshurafa bridges disciplines through storytelling, visual communication, and inclusive diplomacy. Through her advocacy and public engagement initiatives, Jenna has amplified awareness of urgent challenges such as water scarcity, plastic pollution, and climate resilience— making complex environmental and social justice issues more accessible. In the UAE, she helped lead a movement to replace plastic water bottles in pilates studios, starting a plastics-free campaign. Her cross-disciplinary work embodies the belief that diversity of thought and voice is essential to global sustainability. Her involvement in the first plastic-free pilates studio in Dubai is an example of Jenna's impactful work.
	Aimée Tai (21, Richmond Hill, ON) Founder, Neighbours for the Planet \| Materials Science & Engineering Student, University of Toronto For supporting water security and environmental sustainability through practical clean water solutions, inclusive design, and advocacy that engages communities locally and globally Aimée Tai co-developed a rainwater harvesting and filtration system in the Philippines designed to combat water scarcity through low-cost, community-led maintenance. Locally, as the founder of Neighbours for the Planet, she fosters collective climate action through education and engagement. Her research optimizing desalination membrane synthesis using Bayesian methods showcased how innovation and environmental stewardship can work hand-in-hand.
	Matthew Tyhurst (18, Halton Hills, ON) Climate Motivator, United Church of Canada \| Political Science & Legal Studies Student, University of Waterloo For encouraging community action and policy awareness through youth activism, collaboration across generations, and leadership in environmental education and climate advocacy A youth leader with the United Church of Canada and a public speaker on climate and democracy, Matthew Tyhurst has influenced local policy, including stopping a proposed gas plant expansion through youth-led mobilization. As a Vote16 Canada advocate, he promotes lowering the federal voting age and developed a municipal politics education program during a co-op with the Town of Halton Hills. He also served as Secondary Co-Chair of the Halton District School Board’s Environmental & Global Leadership Committee.