Call for Changemakers: IUCN World Conservation Congress

Selected changemakers will join global leaders, experts, and practitioners at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 to showcase their transformative initiatives, exchange ideas, and drive impactful action for a nature-positive future. Participants will have the unique opportunity to present their entrepreneurial solutions to influential decision-makers from the private sector, government, and civil society.

Congress Themes

• The IUCN Congress 2025 will address five critical themes to drive bold, transformative change for a sustainable future:
  • Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action: Expanding conservation efforts through science, traditional knowledge, and community empowerment to ensure biodiversity thrives amid climate change.
  • Reducing Climate Overshoot Risks: Implementing aggressive emissions reductions, adaptation strategies, and nature-based solutions to prevent irreversible environmental damage.
  • Delivering on Equity: Ensuring conservation efforts are just, inclusive, and centred on indigenous peoples, women, youth, and local communities.
  • Transitioning to Nature-Positive Economies and Societies: Shifting from extractive to regenerative economic models that restore ecosystems and sustain livelihoods.
  • Disruptive Innovation and Leadership for Conservation: Challenging the status quo through bold, inclusive leadership, new technologies, and innovative governance models to drive systemic change in conservation.

Benefits

• Delegate access to the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi
• An exclusive opportunity to pitch your innovative environmental action project (in English, French or Spanish) to global leaders
• Networking opportunities with leading conservationists, policymakers, and corporates onsite
• Sponsored travel and accommodation in Abu Dhabi
• Meals and other expenses covered for the duration of the stay in Abu Dhabi

Eligibility Criteria

• You should apply to be a Changemaker at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 if you:
  • Are aged 18 – 35
  • Have demonstrated leadership and experience in developing and implementing innovative solutions and cutting-edge environmental action projects in the fields of nature conservation, biodiversity, climate change, and/or sustainable development
  • Are currently working on an innovative solution or environmental action project that aligns with one or more of the IUCN Congress themes
• They especially encourage candidates to apply if their initiatives foster equity, inclusivity, intergenerational collaboration, and/or adopt a rights-based approach in their design and implementation.
• They are looking for a diverse pool of global changemakers to participate in the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. Youth from the Global South are strongly encouraged to apply, as are youth from minority groups, indigenous peoples, local communities, and young female leaders and innovators from around the world. Applications may be submitted in English, French, or Spanish, the three official languages of IUCN.

For more information, visit One Young World.