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EE 30 Under 30 recognizes young people across the globe who are building a sustainable future through education. Nominate yourself or someone you know today!
The 2025 call for nominations is now closed. All nominees and nominators will be notified in October.
Young people around the world are creating lasting change for both people and the planet. NAAEE’s EE 30 Under 30 shines the spotlight on these changemakers who demonstrate passion, commitment, and leadership using environmental education. The EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 will receive global recognition, join a growing community of inspiring EE leaders, and have access to ongoing opportunities for professional development and networking.
Environmental education (EE) and leadership show up in many different forms! We aim to recognize leaders with a wide range of backgrounds who are bringing new constituencies and insights reaching various audiences and bringing different a diversity ofperspectives to EE. We highly encourage nominees from across sectors and disciplines to apply. We welcome nominees who are:
- Working at any scale: local, national, regional, or global, in rural or urban contexts, just to name a few!
- In any position or role: community organizer, director, consultant, artist, teacher, and much more.
- Using education in any context: in schools, businesses, communities, church groups, networks, government, the media—you name it!
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Watch the Applicant Webinar
Watch the recording of our 2025 Applicant Webinar to learn more about the program and get some tips for writing a strong nomination! The webinar was held on April 9, 2025.
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Eligibility
- Nominees must be 30 years old or younger (as of May 12, 2025). If you are over 30, you can still nominate someone else!
- Nominees can come from anywhere in the world.
- Nominations must be in English, but your nomination will not be judged based on your English language ability.
- Nominees must be using EE to address sustainability issues, build a more resilient environmental movement, and/or create healthier and more civically engaged communities. Read more about key elements of EE here.
- Nominees must demonstrate some leadership in EE, but you do not need to be in a leadership position to demonstrate leadership! This can include (but is not limited to!) inspiring others to take action towards a shared vision, listening to and taking action for the needs of your community, innovating in the face of challenges, welcoming everyone to participate and engage, and much more.
- Video requirement: All nominees need to submit a short introduction video (90 seconds max) and provide a letter of support. Please take a close look at the application, whether you are nominating yourself or someone else, to understand these requirements.
Please direct any questions to ee30u30@naaee.org.
About EE 30 Under 30
Since 2016, NAAEE's EE 30 Under 30 program has recognized 271 individuals from 53 countries who are making a difference through environmental education. To address today’s complex challenges, we need a wide range of perspectives, skills, and experiences. EE 30 Under 30 celebrates the unique and passionate leadership of talented young leaders around the world and gives them a professional boost to increase their impact. Each year our awardees join a growing alumni network of inspiring environmental education leaders and receive ongoing opportunities to network, grow professionally, and promote their work. This program is made possible by the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP).
Questions? Reach out to ee30u30@naaee.org
Map depicting the countries represented by the EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2024
Learn about last year's EE 30 Under 30 Awardees (featured below) and the over 200 additional alumni around the world are working towards creating an equitable and sustainable future! Meet EE 30 Under 30 Alumni
Since 2020, we have been proud to be able to provide financial support to several EE 30 Under 30 alumni through the Changemaker Grants program, enabling them to bring new transformative ideas to life and sustain their ongoing work. Learn more about the program
Additional Resources
Please direct any questions to ee30u30@naaee.org
