Nominations for the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Awards, which recognise exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth, are now open.
The 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.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
✓ Young people from the 56 Commonwealth countries can enter five regional categories: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific.
✓ a Commonwealth citizen
✓ between the age of 15 to 29 years; and
✓ 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 which contributes to at least one of the 17 SDGs.
Process of Selection
An independent pan-Commonwealth jury will judge the nominations based on impact, sustainability and innovation.
Benefits and Prizes
✓ The jury will shortlist finalists, who will each receive a trophy, a certificate and £1,000 in cash, and from them, regional award winners will be chosen. These will receive an additional £2,000.
✓ 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.
