The gap between youth-led environmental action and access to funding is still huge.

Every year, through The Iris Prize, we hear from thousands of young leaders working on climate and nature solutions rooted in their communities. Many are thoughtful, ambitious, and ready to grow – but only a small number receive funding. The challenge is rarely a lack of ideas or commitment. More often, it’s a fundraising system that is difficult to navigate without experience, networks, or insider knowledge.

The Youth Funding Toolkit was created in response to that reality. This is a free, open-access resource co-created with youth-led organisations and project leaders across our wider ecosystem. It draws on real experiences of fundraising as a young leader – what works, what doesn’t, and what people often have to learn by trial and error. Inside, you’ll find practical guidance to help make fundraising feel clearer and more manageable – from shaping your story and building budgets to understanding funder fit and preparing for donor conversations.

A toolkit alone won’t change funding systems overnight. But we hope this one helps more young teams step into those systems with confidence, make informed decisions, and find pathways that work for them.