The Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP) has announced the launch of the Youth Ecopreneur Program (YECO), a new initiative designed to support young entrepreneurs working in sustainability, green business, and land restoration. The program offers a combination of training, funding, mentorship, and international exposure with the goal of helping youth-led ventures contribute to Pakistan’s green transition and broader climate resilience.
The initiative is targeted at entrepreneurs under the age of 35 who lead legally registered businesses. Applicants must serve as founders, co-founders, or chief executives of their ventures, with business models centered on land restoration, sustainable practices, or solutions for the green economy. By structuring the program around these priorities, YECO aims to empower a generation of innovators capable of addressing some of Pakistan’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Applications are open under two categories: land restoration and green business solutions. Ventures focusing on land restoration will be considered for projects that directly contribute to rehabilitating degraded ecosystems, while businesses applying under green solutions are expected to present models that advance sustainability in sectors ranging from energy and agriculture to waste management.
The program provides several benefits to successful participants. One of the key financial incentives is seed funding, with a shared equity-free pool of 100,000 US dollars designated for the land restoration cohort. In addition, two Youth Ecopreneur Awards will be presented, one for each category, with prize money of 10,000 US dollars per winner. Beyond financial support, YECO offers capacity-building and advanced training to help entrepreneurs scale their ventures, along with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders.
Legal and intellectual property guidance is also included in the program’s framework. Selected participants will have access to pro-bono legal services from Sidley Austin LLP as well as resources offered through the Google Startups for Sustainable Development Program. Organizers highlighted that international exposure forms another important part of the initiative, with finalists receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to attend a major international conference to showcase their work.
The program requires applicants to submit a detailed online application through the Digital Youth Hub platform at pmyp.gov.pk or directly through the YECO website. Each proposal must include the applicant’s business model, an outline of how the venture addresses environmental challenges, and plans for scalability and long-term sustainability.
The deadline for applications is set for September 14, 2025. PMYP has stated that late submissions will not be accepted. The organizers emphasized that the program is designed to provide a unique opportunity for young entrepreneurs to highlight their innovations on a global stage while also contributing to Pakistan’s efforts in combating climate change.
Over the past few years, Pakistan has experienced growing vulnerability to environmental pressures, from extreme weather to deforestation and land degradation. With this backdrop, YECO represents an effort to leverage youth-driven innovation as part of national climate resilience and sustainability strategies. By connecting emerging entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and international networks, the program seeks to position Pakistan’s green startups within the global sustainability ecosystem.
Officials involved in the launch of the Youth Ecopreneur Program have described it as an initiative that aligns entrepreneurship with climate action. The combination of financial incentives, mentorship opportunities, and international visibility is being promoted as a model that can both empower individuals and contribute to broader environmental goals.
As the application period moves forward, YECO is expected to attract a wide range of young entrepreneurs from across Pakistan who are eager to build solutions for a greener future. The program’s organizers have highlighted that beyond its immediate impact, it aims to foster a generation of leaders capable of driving sustainable business models that balance profitability with environmental responsibility.
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