The deadline for applications to apply to a prestigious awards programme by the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) has been extended to 31 October.
Talented youth with inspiring projects are urged to apply.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards, held each year in March, celebrate the outstanding contributions young people (aged 15-29) are making towards tackling global issues, improving lives and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Previous winners have enjoyed international acclaim, cash prizes and invaluable networking opportunities to help boost their projects. CYC chairperson Kim Allen, who comes from Papua New Guinea, said these awards rightly give young people working on incredible projects a global stage to show off their talent and their ideas to help leaders tackle burgeoning global issues and see the realisation of the SDGs.
“Previous winners have networked with global experts, presented their ideas to change-makers at key global conferences like COP, and seen their projects thrive from coaching and collaboration with established organisations. Next year’s awards are even more special as 2023 has been declared ‘Year of the Youth’, in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. A shortlist of exceptional young people from each Commonwealth region will be announced in the next few months, with the winners to be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in March.
Prizes
The jury will shortlist finalists, who will each receive a trophy, a certificate and £1 000 (approximately N$19 569) in cash – and from them, regional award winners will be chosen. These will receive an additional £2 000 (N$39 138).
One of the regional award recipients will be accorded further recognition as Commonwealth Young Person of the Year and a total cash prize of £5 000 (N$97 847).
For the second year running, the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT) has joined the Commonwealth Secretariat, a partner, to offer one winner two years of flexible funding, worth £20 000 (N$391 388) a year, as well as coaching opportunities and organisational development support.
The finalists and regional winners will be announced during Commonwealth Week in March 2023.
Eligibility
To submit an entry, an applicant must be a Commonwealth citizen, aged between 15 to 29 years, and must have been engaged in development work for at least 12 months as a professional or volunteer.
Nominees must show a strong track record of implementing impactful development work that contributes to at least one of the 17 SDGs.
To be eligible for the additional QCT prize, applicants must be aged 18 to 29 years old and be a founder or co-founder of a social enterprise.
Nominations must be submitted online at media@commonwealth.int and received by 23h59 BST on 31 October 2022.