Appplications are Now Open for the Joke Waller-Hunter (JWH) Initiative Grants for Young Environmental Leaders in Developing Countries

Submission Deadline: August 28, 2025.

The Joke Waller-Hunter (JWH) Initiative is now accepting nominations for its 2025 grant cycle. Designed to support young environmentalists in developing and emerging countries, this grant program is an opportunity to nurture leadership potential and strengthen capacity within the environmental and sustainable development sectors.

Funding and Grant Amount

The JWH Initiative offers small grants ranging from €1,500 to €7,000 (approximately $1,000 to $10,000 USD). These funds are not intended for project implementation or organizational costs. Instead, the grant is exclusively focused on personal leadership development. Eligible uses include advanced training, participation in strategic conferences, or mentorship programs that align with the nominee’s long-term environmental leadership goals.

Grant Objectives

The initiative aims to empower individuals by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities necessary to become influential leaders in the global movement for sustainable development, climate justice, and environmental conservation. By investing in individual capacity, the JWH Initiative helps amplify local environmental efforts and foster systemic change.

Who Should Apply?

Eligible candidates are emerging leaders under 35 years of age who are actively engaged in the environmental sector through civil society organizations (CSOs) or community-based groups. Nominees must be committed to advancing sustainability, gender equality, and climate justice.

Ideal candidates are:

Passionate and ambitious individuals with clear leadership potential.
Involved in grassroots, community, or civil society-based environmental initiatives.
Actively promoting sustainable development and climate action.
Open to innovation and creative approaches in environmental advocacy.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must reside in a developing country or emerging economy. The grant is not open to individuals from the following high-income countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Note: While the JWH Initiative generally prioritizes applicants under the age of 35, they recognize that the definition of “youth” can vary across cultures and contexts.

Ineligible Grant Uses

The grant cannot be used for:

Project development or implementation
Paying administrative or indirect costs
Salaries for anyone other than the grantee

How to Apply

Nominations must be submitted via email and include:

A fully completed nomination form (available in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese) with two references
An up-to-date CV of the nominee
A recent digital photo of the nominee

All application fields must be properly filled. Incomplete applications will be deemed invalid.

Important Dates

Opening Date: August 4, 2025
Deadline for Applications: August 28, 2025
Results Announcement: Within 6 weeks after the deadline (only successful candidates will be contacted)

The Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative Grant 2025 offers a powerful platform to support young people making a tangible impact in the environmental space. If you or someone you know fits the criteria, don’t miss this opportunity to gain access to transformative resources and join a global network of changemakers driving sustainable change.

For more information and submission, CLICK HERE