Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is accepting applications for the Energy Heroes Awards, which recognise four young changemakers aged 18-35 from anywhere in the world whose sustainable energy solutions are already making a difference. Winners receive their awards in Vienna, Austria, on 26 January 2027, and applications close on 19 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the official call and set out the categories, eligibility rules and winner benefits below.
Awards at a Glance
🏆 Programme: Energy Heroes Awards, second edition
🏢 Organiser: Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
📍 Ceremony: Vienna, Austria
🗓️ Ceremony date: 26 January 2027, at the International Day of Clean Energy event
🎂 Age: 18 to 35
🌍 Open to: applicants from anywhere in the world
🥇 Winners: one in each of four categories, four winners in total
Not an Erasmus+ or ESC Programme
This is an independent awards programme run by SEforALL. It is not part of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps, and it is not a volunteering or exchange project.
About the Energy Heroes Awards
The Energy Heroes Awards 2027 recognise four young changemakers whose sustainable energy solutions are already making a difference. SEforALL is looking for practical solutions with the potential to scale. Now in their second edition, the awards follow the first Energy Heroes, who were recognised at the SEforALL 2025 Global Forum in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The Four Award Categories
There is one winner in each of the four categories:
🔌 Energy Access Innovation Award: solutions expanding affordable, reliable and sustainable energy or clean cooking, particularly in underserved communities
🏭 Energy for Growth Award: innovations using sustainable energy to create jobs, strengthen businesses, support productive uses and accelerate economic development
🌡️ Climate & Energy Innovation Award: technologies and approaches advancing clean energy, energy efficiency, storage, cooling, climate resilience and decarbonization
🤖 Digital Energy Innovation Award: AI, digital technologies, data, fintech and other technology-enabled solutions improving energy access, affordability, investment or energy systems
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Who Can Apply
👤 Age: youth aged 18 to 35, from anywhere in the world
🧑🔬 Profiles welcome: entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, students, innovators and founders of youth-led enterprises or organizations
🛠️ Stage of the solution: it must be past the concept stage, meaning in a pilot, deployment or early implementation stage
👥 Teams: teams are welcome, but the person submitting the application must be aged 18-35 and lead the solution
💪 Encouraged to apply: young women, applicants from emerging and developing economies, and people from under-represented communities in the energy sector
What Winners Receive
🏅 An Energy Hero Award, presented at the International Day of Clean Energy ceremony in Vienna on 26 January 2027
✈️ Travel and accommodation: return economy flights, five nights' accommodation and visa support
🤝 Mentorship and networking: through the Youth Roundtable and the Mentorship Café
🎤 Training: in personal branding, media engagement and communications
📸 Global visibility: professional photography, video storytelling and features across SEforALL's channels
🗂️ Curated meetings: with potential partners, investors and energy-sector leaders
🌱 Opportunities to stay involved: through SEforALL's youth and innovation networks
Costs and Fees
The official call page lists no application fee. The winners' flights, five nights of accommodation and visa support are provided by SEforALL, as described above. The page does not state any other amount or prize money.
How to Apply
Complete the online application form by 19 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. The application is submitted through the "Apply Now" form on the official Energy Heroes page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Energy Heroes Awards?
Anyone aged 18 to 35 from anywhere in the world. Entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, students, innovators and founders of youth-led enterprises or organizations are welcome.
Can I apply as a team?
Yes. Teams are welcome, but the person submitting the application must be aged 18-35 and must lead the solution.
Does my project need to be already running?
Yes. The solution must be past the concept stage, in a pilot, deployment or early implementation stage.
How many winners will there be?
Four. There is one winner in each of the four categories: Energy Access Innovation, Energy for Growth, Climate & Energy Innovation and Digital Energy Innovation.
What do winners get?
An Energy Hero Award presented in Vienna on 26 January 2027, return economy flights, five nights' accommodation, visa support, mentorship, training in personal branding, media engagement and communications, professional photography and video storytelling, and curated meetings with partners, investors and energy-sector leaders.
Is this part of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps?
No. The Energy Heroes Awards are run by SEforALL and are not part of Erasmus+ or ESC.
Deadline
⏳ 19 November 2026
Link
🔗 Apply (Energy Heroes Awards page and online form): https://www.seforall.org/energyheroes
Find more opportunities like this in the Others section on Youth Works Hub →.
