Cisco Youth Leadership Award 2026 for inspiring Youth Leaders (US$250,000 prize) – Opportunities For Africans

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Application Deadline: December 17, 2025 at 8pm ET

Applications are actually open for the 2026 Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award. The Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award was established by Cisco and Global Citizen to acknowledge a person aged 18-30 who has contributed meaningfully with expertise to assist finish excessive poverty. 

Selected by way of an application course of, the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award honors an particular person aged 18-30 who has contributed meaningfully towards the aim of ending excessive poverty. The award features a $250,000 prize paid to the group to which the person contributes. The winner shall be introduced at Global Citizen NOW in May 2026 in New York City.

Requirements

• Demonstrated track-record of measurable influence at scale over the past 3-5 years advancing a number of of the Global Goals. 
• Compelling imaginative and prescient and concrete plans for find out how to lengthen this work within the subsequent 3-5 years, together with how the prize will advance efforts. 
• Inspires different younger individuals to have an effect on attaining a number of of the Global Goals
• Demonstrates the values and embodies the spirit of a Global Citizen and a Global Problem Solver
• Innovates with expertise or Internet-based communications to enhance effectivity, attain, and enlarge influence. 

Selection Criteria

• Candidates shall be judged in opposition to standards by a bunch of Global Citizen, Cisco, and unbiased consultants.
• Up to 5 (5) finalists shall be chosen on or round February 2nd, 2026 and shall be required to submit three (3) letters of advice. If making use of for the Prize, it is best to have your letters of advice prepared for submission. Additional supplemental info may additionally be requested of finalists.
• If chosen as one of many 5 finalists, you can be judged by a panel of representatives from Global Citizen, Cisco, and esteemed activists and leaders within the worldwide improvement area.

Application Procedure:

If you’re chosen as one of many 5 finalists you can be contacted on or round February 2nd, 2026 to submit 3 letters of advice:

3 Letters of endorsement / suggestion

• A Colleague
• A Funder or Operational Partner
• Person you’ve impacted

Once you apply for the Prize, it is best to have your letters of advice prepared for submission. Supplemental info may additionally be requested of finalists. Finalists who’re contacted and can’t present letters of advice and supplemental info by the deadline could also be faraway from additional consideration.

If chosen as a finalist, you can be supplied with directions on find out how to submit your letters of advice and supplemental info.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award