The Ashoka-Carnegie Challenge 2026/2027 for Civic Leadership (Seed funding and Fully-Funded to in-person convening)

Application Deadline: January thirty first, 2027

Applications at the moment are open for the Ashoka-Carnegie Challenge 2026 for Civic Leadership. Ashoka is asking on everybody aged 20 and underneath dwelling in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, and U.S. territories. Are you main a undertaking that’s making a difference? Are you part of a youth-led group that helps folks get entangled of their communities? Or do you have got an thought to change the world that you simply’d love to put into motion?

If your reply is YES to any of those questions, apply to the Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership! This is your probability to win seed funding, join with different younger changemakers, and attend an unforgettable in-person convening.

Eligibility Requirements

Participant Age

Participants should be people aged 20 or youthful by the top of the entry interval (January 31, 2027).

Please notice: Applicants primarily based in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa who’re 17 years outdated or youthful should have an grownup help with finishing their application. In the United States, candidates who’re 12 years outdated or youthful should have an grownup help with finishing their application.

Residency

Participants should be situated in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and/or the United States and U.S. Territories.

Language

Applications should be submitted in English.

Youth-Led Project

The submitted undertaking should be youth-led, with the first undertaking lead underneath 20 years of age.

Exclusions

Employees of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation or Ashoka, together with their youngsters and grandchildren, aren’t eligible to apply.

Benefits:

Prize Package

All Eligible Participants Will Receive:

⦿ Multiple pathways to funding, with Opportunities for early candidates in addition to finalists and Grand Prize winners.

⦿ Peer suggestions by way of the Challenge on-line platform, together with the chance to join with different Challenge candidates and evaluation functions from friends.

⦿ Access to on-demand trainings to help your changemaking journey, plus reside help periods and workplace hours.

⦿ The alternative to turn out to be an authorized Ashoka Youth Venturer, whether or not or not they’re chosen as a winner of the Challenge. If you’ve taken motion on an concept that creates optimistic change in your faculty or group, chances are you’ll be eligible to earn a Youth Venture Certificate from Ashoka, a world chief in youth social entrepreneurship. If you’re not fairly prepared to be licensed but, Ashoka will work with you to meet the certification standards. Along the best way, you’ll achieve entry to instruments, assets, and a rising group of younger changemakers who’re main change collectively.

Prize Package

All Eligible Participants Will Receive:

⦿ Multiple pathways to funding, with Opportunities for early candidates in addition to finalists and Grand Prize winners.

⦿ Peer suggestions by way of the Challenge on-line platform, together with the chance to join with different Challenge candidates and evaluation functions from friends.

⦿ Access to on-demand trainings to help your changemaking journey, plus reside help periods and workplace hours.

⦿ The alternative to turn out to be an authorized Ashoka Youth Venturer, whether or not or not they’re chosen as a winner of the Challenge. If you’ve taken motion on an concept that creates optimistic change in your faculty or group, chances are you’ll be eligible to earn a Youth Venture Certificate from Ashoka, a world chief in youth social entrepreneurship. If you’re not fairly prepared to be licensed but, Ashoka will work with you to meet the certification standards. Along the best way, you’ll achieve entry to instruments, assets, and a rising group of younger changemakers who’re main change collectively.

Early Application Deadline | Seed grants

Apply early for the chance to obtain seed funding to jumpstart your civic management journey.

Eligible candidates who submit by the Early Application Deadline could also be chosen to obtain a Seed Grant:

‣ United States: Up to 600 candidates who apply by November 17 will likely be eligible to obtain a $100 USD Civic Seed Grant.

‣ Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa: 25 eligible candidates from every nation who apply by October 10 will obtain a $50 USD Civic Seed Grant.

These grants are designed to assist younger changemakers take the following step in bringing their concepts to life whereas persevering with by means of the Challenge.

Finalist Award

Okayenya, Nigeria & South Africa

Distributed equally among the many three nations, a complete of 66 winners will likely be chosen:

‣ 30 Winners will every obtain $250 USD Civic Promise Award

‣ 30 Finalists will every obtain $1,000 USD Civic Impact Award

‣ 6 Grand Prize Winners will every obtain $5,000 USD Civic Leadership Award

Anyone receiving a grant $250 or above will likely be thought-about for a spot at an in-person convening throughout the week of July 26, 2027, the place they’ll join, construct abilities, and have a good time their work alongside fellow younger civic leaders. A complete of 30 Challenge Winners will likely be invited to attend the in-person convening in Kenya.*

*Ashoka will cowl eligible journey and participation prices, together with airfare, resort lodging, floor transportation, and meals throughout the convening. Chaperone journey may also be offered for eligible contributors underneath 18, in accordance with the Challenge Rules.

Information Sessions
Dates (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa)

• Sunday, September 13, 2026 (4pm EAT): Register right here
• Monday, October 5, 2026 (3pm EAT): Register right here
• Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (4pm EAT): Register right here
• Thursday, December 17, 2026 (4pm EAT): Register right here

For any questions or help on the Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership, attain out to us by way of e-mail [email protected] 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Ashoka-Carnegie Challenge 2026 for Civic Leadership