Islamabad: The International Trade Center’s (ITC) Youth Ecopreneur Program (YECO) is providing substantial financial aid and mentorship to young entrepreneurs focused on environmental sustainability, particularly land rehabilitation. The five-year project, a joint effort with the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD and other partners, offers a global boot camp, accelerator program, and awards, aiming to bolster youth-led green enterprises.

The program offers two tracks: land restoration and general green solutions. Participants receive training, guidance, and up to $100,000 in equity-free seed funding for land restoration projects. Benefits extend to networking opportunities, intellectual property assistance, and access to Google’s sustainability program. Award finalists receive an all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference, with a $10,000 prize for winners in each category.

YECO targets entrepreneurs under 35 who are founders or CEOs of legally registered businesses. The ventures must be primarily youth-run and concentrate on environmental sustainability, circular economy principles, or land reclamation. The project accepts new applicants annually, serving as an incubator for impactful ecological innovations.