EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council
EarthEcho International was founded on the belief that young people have the power to change the world. You are invited to apply to join the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) - a team of young environmental leaders, selected annually through a competitive application process, who play a key role leading EarthEcho’s programs while developing and implementing campaigns to mobilize young people worldwide to protect our ocean planet.
Through this unique experience, you will grow as an environmental leader, gain an understanding of the operations of an international non-profit organization as you shape our work and mission, and build connections with your peers and EarthEcho partners working around the world to ensure a sustainable future.
The 2025 Youth Leadership Council application is open through May 5 to young environmental leaders ages 15-22 and is accessible through GenSea, EarthEcho’s digital community platform connecting our global network of young ocean advocates.
Not a member of GenSea? Sign-up today and activate your account to access and complete the 2025 Youth Leadership Council application by May 5.
Already a GenSea member? Complete your application for the 2023 Youth Leadership Council!
The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is the guiding youth voice driving the development and implementation of EarthEcho’s global programs designed to support our vision of a world where every individual, from all backgrounds and experiences, has the opportunity and tools to create a healthy, thriving ocean planet. YLC members expand the reach and impact of EarthEcho’s programs, design collaborative campaigns to mobilize young ocean advocates worldwide through GenSea, and learn alongside a global network of their peers while gaining skills to support personal conservation work.
YLC members will commit to the following during their two-year term:
- Dedicate a minimum of eight hours per month to YLC activities.
- Participate in one full YLC video call every month (times TBD based on members’ schedules).
- Collaborate with fellow Council members to lead projects that advance EarthEcho's work and mission, expand the impact of our GenSea community, and create opportunities to support youth-led action to protect our ocean planet.
- Participate in small group communication/calls with fellow Council members and EarthEcho staff as needed to advance Council-led projects.
- Plan and participate in the EarthEcho Youth Ambassador Retreat and YLC annual meeting, tentatively scheduled for August 6-10, 2025 in the United States (All travel expenses for participants covered by EarthEcho International. All applicants should hold these dates on their calendars).
- Plan, lead, and participate in the annual EarthEcho Youth Leadership Summit. The Summit takes place through a series of in-person events hosted by YLC members, with the next events occurring in early 2026. New YLC members will be expected to organize these events in their respective communities with resources and support from their peers, the EarhEcho team, and our partners.
- Actively engage weekly in the GenSea platform, recruit new members to this growing global community of young ocean advocates, and build/participate in year-round networking, learning, and action opportunities for members.
- Communicate regularly with EarthEcho Staff and fellow YLC members via e-mail and the GenSea platform.
- Work with fellow YLC members virtually between calls to carry out Council projects and activities.
- Report progress on YLC projects to EarthEcho International staff, providing access to any media or digital content that EarthEcho can share online.
- Utilize existing and pilot new EarthEcho materials in your communities to provide constructive feedback and suggestions on new materials.
- Collaborate with fellow YLC members and EarthEcho staff to manage Council structure and operations.
- Actively engage with EarthEcho on social media (Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.), sharing EarthEcho announcements and news via personal and/or organizational social media platforms.
- Respond to opportunities to generate social media posts, video content and written publications.
- Represent EarthEcho through conferences and speaking engagements (EarthEcho to share opportunities as they arise – members may also have the opportunity to speak with and/or on behalf of EarthEcho International co-founder, Philippe Cousteau).
- Interact with and potentially serve as a youth member on EarthEcho International’s Board of Directors.
- Be a positive voice for EarthEcho in your school, organization, and community.
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APPLY:
Thank you for your interest in the EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council! Applications for the 2025 class of YLC members are open through May 5, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT.
Applicants for the Youth Leadership Council in 2025 should:
- be between the ages of 15-22 at the time of application;
- demonstrate a passion for environmental conservation and evidence of leadership experience;
- have experience working collaboratively with a team of youth and adults;
- possess an understanding of ocean, environmental, and climate related issues;
- have a desire to support EarthEcho International’s work and provide a youth perspective to the development of EarthEcho’s programs; and
- have strong written and verbal communication skills in the English language
The 2025 Youth Leadership Council application is accessible through GenSea, EarthEcho’s digital community platform connecting our global community of young ocean advocates.
Not a member of GenSea? Sign-up today and activate your account to access and complete the 2025 Youth Leadership Council application by May 5.
Already a GenSea member? Complete your application for the 2025 Youth Leadership Council!
When completing your application, you will be asked to respond to the following essay questions (maximum of 250 words per answer). It is recommended that you draft your answers to these questions prior to starting the online application form.
- Why do you want to serve as an EarthEcho International Youth Leadership Council Member?
- What unique skills and experiences will you bring to the Youth Leadership Council and how will these support the work of EarthEcho International?
- What leadership traits do you value? Describe a time when you personally utilized some or all of these traits to organize a team or group to accomplish a goal or overcome an obstacle?
- What motivates your advocacy? What is an environmental issue(s) you are passionate about and why?
You have the option to submit your response to Question 4 in a video response. You may choose to write the essay or submit a video response but not both. The video response cannot exceed 3 minutes. - Optional: If you have participated in an EarthEcho Ambassador program and/or the OurEcho Challenge, how would you like to mentor or engage with new cohorts of Ambassadors, either within the same program or across other EarthEcho initiatives?
When applying, you will also be required to secure a recommendation from a non-family member who can speak to your communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. The recommendation may be written by a teacher/school faculty member, employer, youth program leader, and/or peer. Please direct your recommender to this form to submit their reference by May 5, 2025.
Application Timeline:
To apply, please submit your application by Monday, May 5, 2025.
Finalists may be contacted in May 2025 for phone/video interviews.
Selected Youth Leadership Council members will be notified of their appointment to the Council by mid-June 2025.
How old do I have to be to apply for the Youth Leadership Council?
Youth Leadership Council members must be between the ages of 15-22 at the time of application.
How long do members serve on the Youth Leadership Council?
Members serve a two year term on the Youth Leadership Council.
Can I apply for the Youth Leadership Council if I live outside of the United States?
Applicants from outside of the United States are welcome to apply for the Youth Leadership Council. All applicants should have the ability to clearly write and communicate in the English language.
How do I access the 2025 Youth Leadership Council application?
The 2025 Youth Leadership Council application can be accessed through GenSea, EarthEcho's digital community platform connecting our global network of young ocean advocates. Already have an account on GenSea? You can access the Youth Leadership Council application here. If you’re new to GenSea, visit www.joingensea.org and request an invitation. If you’re between the ages of 13-25, you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail to activate your account within 1-2 days. Follow the instructions to finalize your GenSea account, and log-in to access the Youth Leadership Council application.
What will I be doing as a Youth Leadership Council member?
The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is the guiding youth voice driving the development and implementation of EarthEcho’s global programs designed to provide knowledge and develop tools to drive meaningful environmental action to protect and restore our ocean planet. Council members connect through monthly calls and virtual communication as they lead projects that advance EarthEcho's work and mission, expand the impact of our GenSea community, and create opportunities to support youth-led action to protect our ocean planet. Council members also have the opportunity to attend in-person meetings and training events, represent EarthEcho at conferences and community events, and collaborate with EarthEcho partners as opportunities arise.
What background experience do I need to apply?
Council members are selected to ensure the group contains members with diverse skill sets and experiences, a passion for environmental conservation, and an interest in providing a youth voice to the work of EarthEcho International. When completing your responses, consider the following criteria used by our application review team: conservation interest and leadership experience (applicant’s understanding of an environmental or environmental justice issue, evidence of environmental action, previous engagement in EarthEcho programs), skills and proficiencies (applicant’s unique skills or perspectives including communication skills, knowledge of specific ocean or environmental issues, experience leading conservation projects, underrepresented or traditionally excluded cultural and ethnic perspectives), and teamwork/collaboration (applicant’s experiences working in a team setting, collaborating with other organizations, personally organizing a team). When completing your application, be sure to note any previous experiences in EarthEcho programs. We will highly prioritize applicants who have participated in EarthEcho programs in the past.
What are examples of past projects Youth Leadership Council members have been involved in?
Council members have a diverse role providing input and ideas to shape EarthEcho International’s existing and developing programs, while driving projects to advance EarthEcho’s mission. The YLC has played a key role in initiatives including:
OceanEcho 30x30 – an international campaign led by EarthEcho’s YLC designed to amplify the collective impact of youth-led action to protect 30% of the global ocean by 2030 (30x30). To date, this campaign has engaged over 25,000 community members directly through educational events and outreach focused on the importance of marine protected areas, mobilized youth leaders worldwide to advance policy, including the successful commitment to a global and U.S. level 30x30 ocean goal, and engaged youth leaders in communities from Puerto Rico to Hawaii and Argentina to the Galapagos in coastal habitat restoration efforts.
GenSea - Uniting EarthEcho's global community of young ocean advocates ages 13-25, GenSea provides year round networking, learning, and collective action opportunities to advance ocean protection for members from 120+ countries. The YLC plays a leadership role in building programming, campaigns, and opportunities for action in coordination with EarthEcho staff and GenSea members.
Youth Leadership Summit - YLC members play a key role in driving the annual EarthEcho Youth Leadership Summit, a convening of young ocean advocates focused on equipping participants with the skills, resources, and opportunities to advance ocean protection and ocean-based climate solutions. For three years, this event virtually united hundreds of participants from 40+ countries and territories. In 2023, the YLC united over 230 youth and community mentors at the EarthEcho Youth Leadership Summit through eight in-person events around the world, as well as through a virtual session, focused on elevating youth leadership in advancing ocean climate action. These events continued in 2025, with the YLC hosting a series of Summits focused on advancing the High Seas Treaty.
I completed my EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council application – what happens next?
Applications will be reviewed over the coming weeks by a team from EarthEcho International. During this time some applicants may be contacted for follow-up interviews. All applicants will be notified of their application status by mid June of their application year.
What are other ways I can connect with EarthEcho International?
Join GenSea, our global community of young ocean advocates ages 13-25, connected for year-round networking, learning, and collective action to protect and restore our ocean planet. Additionally, be sure to connect with EarthEcho via social media on Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Still have questions? Please direct additional questions to Sean Russell via email at srussell@earthecho.org or 202-350-3190.
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