To scale impact and build local ownership, G20 GLI is starting its activities at the national level, planning to provide support to national start up ecosystems. In 2025, we’re launching a pilot engagement in Brazil, leveraging accelerators, innovation hubs, and public institutions to reach hundreds of youth ecopreneurs working on land restoration.

A global hotspot for biodiversity and forest restoration, Brazil offers high restoration potential and a robust ecosystem of green startups and accelerators. Government and private sector actors have expressed strong interest in GLI's goals.

Launched in May 2025, this course targets university students worldwide enrolled in urban planning and related programs. With a focus on sustainable urban land restoration and innovation, it aims to equip a new generation of urban planners and eco-entrepreneurs.

Professors, lecturers and training instructors can receive course materials and implement this course to empower their students in addressing the challenges of balancing land use, land restoration and sustainable development through informed urban planning.

Why Brazil?

Brazil is one of the world’s most ecologically significant countries, home to six unique biomes—including the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, and Pampa—all facing increasing threats from degradation and deforestation. With 22 million hectares committed for restoration by 2030 and projections of up to 2.5 million green jobs, Brazil is a natural leader in the restoration economy.

Brazil leads Latin America in startup investment —$1.7B in funding (Startuolinks, 2025)— with investors focused on quality and scalability, favoring startups with clear paths to revenue and social-environmental impact. Activity is increasing across all five regions, though the Southeast (notably São Paulo) remains the central hub.

And, there’s more:

• Global ecological relevance: 310 million hectares of public forests
• High urgency: In 2020, over 312,000 km² were burned—nearly half in the Amazon Basin
• Startup powerhouse: Ranked #1 in South America and #27 globally in startup ecosystems
• Over 14,000 active startups, many are in agri-tech, green innovation, and climate solutions

Global ecological importance

• One of the five megaforest countries, with 310 million hectares of public forests-92% of which are in the Amazon.
• Home to unique biomes: the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, Pampa, and Pantanal-all under serious threat of degradation.

Urgent need of action

• In 2020, 312,140 km2 of land were burned, nearly half of it within the Amazon Basin.
• Severe droughts and increasing desertification are on the rise.

Commitments

• The restoration sector in Brazil could generate between 1 to 2.5 million jobs by 2030.
• Brazil has committed to restoring 22 million hectares by 2030 through the Bonn Challenge. Planaveg, and other national plans.

Leader in startup ecosystem

• Regional leadership: Ranked 1st in South America and 27th globally in startup ecosystems.
• High startup density: home to approximately 13,000 active startups.

22M+

Ha committed

To restore by 2030

Our G20 GLI Approach

• Local delivery partners: working with leading BSOs, youth networks, and NGOs
• Adapted grantmaking
• Monitoring and learning to refine scalable delivery models
• Ecosystem coordination through private–public collaboration

Activities are kicking off soon—stay tuned for opportunities, calls for applications, and partnership announcements!

Global Engagement:
The YECO Programme

The Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO)  is a global accelerator that empowers young entrepreneurs and seeks to enhance their competitiveness and scale of youth-led businesses focusing on two categories: Land Restoration and Green Businesses. The YECO Programme is co- created by the G20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI) and the International Trade Center’s Ye! Community and supported by other partners: like WIPO, Google, and Sidley Austin.

Launched in May 2025, this course targets university students worldwide enrolled in urban planning and related programs. With a focus on sustainable urban land restoration and innovation, it aims to equip a new generation of urban planners and eco-entrepreneurs.

Professors, lecturers and training instructors can receive course materials and implement this course to empower their students in addressing the challenges of balancing land use, land restoration and sustainable development through informed urban planning.

YECO Programme in numbers

857

Applications

100

Countries

283

Applicants focusing on land restoration

$1,945,931 Capital raised. Total responses: 21

$3,182,156 Total annual turnover generated. Total responses: 38

101,954 Hectares restored. Total responses: 35

314

Jobs created

22

New partnerships formed

The YECO programme structure

01.

Global Bootcamp*

• Training and masterclasses on investment readiness among other crucial topics, facilitated by business development, legal, and IP experts
• A unified platform for global exchange and networking within the young entrepreneur cohort, complemented by mentoring from the Ye! Community

*Ecopreneurs from Developed Countries can only participate in the Bootcamp

02.

Accelerator

• A bespoke 360 degrees Business Assessment, followed by tailored trainings and coaching for your business
• Seed Funding and access to investment networks for Land Restoration category
• Preferential access to Pro-Bono Legal Services from Sidley Austin**
• Preferential access to the Google StartUp for Sustainable Development Programme

**Subject to due diligence requirements

03.

Awards

• All-Expenses-Paid Trip to International Conference
• In-person capacity building
• Personalized pitch training and coaching
• Visibility with stakeholders and investors
• Special prizes from partners
• Win Youth Ecopreneur Award and get $10,000 USD prize money

04.

Post Awards

• Participants engage in global networking.
• Coaching and opportunities to attend high-level sustainable events and trade fairs.
• Increased visibility and connections with key stakeholders in green entrepreneurship.
• Integration into the Alumni Community of the programme.
• Access to peer learning, collaboration, and shared experiences from previous cohorts.

Meet some of our YECOs

Fernando De Lucca Pezella Moreno

Mmakwena Moesi

Andrés Bisonó León