The Youth Innovation Prize YIP 2025 is more than a competition: it’s a development opportunity. Entrants with the most promising essays will receive coaching and mentorship from our communication and social innovation experts. This support will help take your essay – along with your thinking and communication skills – to the next level.
Shortlisted entrants will also gain exposure to the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UCT, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Douglas Knowledge Partners and other organisations in our network, all of whom are interested in engaging with talented young people. This exposure could open the door to job opportunities, freelance roles or further study – as it has for many of our finalists and winners in the past.
The winning entry this year will receive a R10,000 cash prize, and second- and third-place entries will each receive a R5,000 cash prize.
Send us an essay outlining an innovative and implementable idea on how to achieve gender equality. Go into detail about a single innovation, mentioning concrete and relevant examples, showing you understand your local context and how your idea can help drive solutions in South Africa.
This competition is for individuals who:
- are curious and want to learn, grow and challenge themselves.
- are eager to develop or deepen their thinking and communication skills.
- are passionate about their ideas for social change and development.
There are no academic requirements for participation and entrants can come from any sector and field, provided they meet the minimum eligibility criteria listed below:
- You are aged between 18 and 30 years (turning 18 up to 30 during 2024).
- You live in South Africa.
- You may not enter if you have previously been a finalist in the YIP.
HOW TO ENTER:
Entries can be submitted from 26 July until 18 October 2024. You will be required to enter your details when signing up, after which you will receive an email from us. In your reply, you can attach your proof of ID and entry, in one of the following formats:
- A written essay of between 1,500 to 2,000 words in Word document format (template provided).
- A video or an audio essay of between 5 to 8 minutes in length (WeTransfer to youth.innovation@douglas.partners).
For more information about The Youth Innovation Prize (YIP) 2025, Visit YIP Official website
