The Global Citizen Prize Cisco Youth Leadership Award 2026: Recognizing the World’s Most Inspiring Youth Leaders ($250,000 Prize)
The Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award was created by Cisco and Global Citizen to acknowledge and have a good time a younger chief between the ages of 18 and 30 who has made a big contribution towards ending excessive poverty via the modern use of expertise.
The winner will obtain a US $250,000 prize, awarded to the group to which they contribute, and can be honored at Global Citizen NOW 2026 in New York City in May 2026.
About the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award
The Cisco Youth Leadership Award was established to have a good time younger people who find themselves utilizing expertise to advance a number of of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The award highlights the transformative function youth play in addressing world challenges, from poverty and inequality to local weather change and digital inclusion.
Award Criteria
Impact
Applicants should exhibit a measurable and confirmed affect over the previous three to 5 years in advancing a number of of the Global Goals.
Vision
Candidates ought to current a compelling long-term imaginative and prescient and a sensible plan for scaling their work in the subsequent three to 5 years, together with how the award funds will speed up their affect.
Catalyst
Applicants ought to exhibit how their management evokes different younger folks to take motion towards reaching the Global Goals.
Global Citizenship
Candidates ought to embody the values of a Global Citizen — integrity, empathy, collaboration, and a dedication to fixing world challenges.
Technology Innovation
Applicants should present how they’re utilizing expertise or internet-based communication to enhance effectivity, scale affect, and improve the high quality of their options.
Eligibility and Application Details
Who can apply:
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Individuals aged 18–30 from any nation are eligible, besides these in international locations or entities beneath U.S. sanctions as outlined by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
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Applicants can characterize any kind of legally registered group — non-profit, for-profit, social enterprise, or B-corp.
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Applicants don’t should be founders or CEOs however should maintain a task that demonstrates vital affect.
Timeline:
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Applications Open: November 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM PT
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Applications Close: December 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM PT
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Finalists Announced: Around February 2, 2026
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Winner Announced: May 2026 at Global Citizen NOW in New York City
Application Requirements
To full the application, candidates should present:
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Personal and Organizational Details: Basic info and a scanned copy of a sound passport.
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Video Pitch: A 1–2 minute video (uploaded to YouTube) explaining why you deserve the award and the way your work aligns with the Global Goals.
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Written Responses: Short-answer questions (most 250 phrases every) addressing how your work meets the judging standards.
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Organizational Documentation: Proof of registration, incorporation, or tax exemption standing.
Note: Applications and not using a video pitch is not going to be thought-about.
Judging Process
All eligible functions can be reviewed by a range committee composed of representatives from Cisco, Global Citizen, and impartial specialists in worldwide growth and expertise.
Up to 5 finalists can be chosen on or round February 2, 2026. Finalists can be requested to supply three letters of advice and could also be requested to submit supplemental documentation.
Final judging can be performed by a panel of leaders from Global Citizen, Cisco, and distinguished world changemakers.
Letters of Recommendation
If chosen as a finalist, candidates should submit three letters (or quick movies) of endorsement from:
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A colleague,
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A funder or operational companion, and
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A individual impacted by their work.
Letters needs to be latest (lower than six months previous), written on official letterhead, and signed. Videos needs to be not than two minutes.
Terms of the Prize
The US $250,000 award can be paid on to the winner’s nominated group. The funds are unrestricted, although winners are requested to supply quarterly updates for 3 years on how the prize has supported their group’s progress and affect.
Language and Submission
Applications have to be submitted in English. Applicants who draft their responses in one other language are welcome to submit translated variations. Once submitted, functions can’t be modified.
Contact Information
For extra questions or technical points, please electronic mail cyla@globalcitizen.org.
About Cisco and Global Citizen
Cisco and Global Citizen share a imaginative and prescient of empowering younger folks to develop scalable options that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Together, they’re dedicated to figuring out, supporting, and amplifying the voices of younger leaders driving constructive social and financial change round the world.
Learn extra and apply at the moment: Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award
The Global Citizen Prize Cisco Youth Leadership Award 2026: Recognizing the World’s Most Inspiring Youth Leaders ($250,000 Prize)
