Ashoka Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2027 – YOA

Deadline: January 31, 2027

Applications are open for the Ashoka Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership 2027. Do you might have an concept for creating optimistic change in your faculty or neighborhood? Or are you already engaged on a undertaking for good and fascinating others to make a difference? That’s civic management: figuring out a problem in your neighborhood and dealing with others to create options, encourage motion, and make a optimistic difference.

They are calling on everybody between 5 and 20 and beneath residing 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 individuals get entangled of their communities? Or do you might have an concept to vary the world that you simply’d like 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-particular person convening.

Benefits

All eligible individuals will obtain:

• Multiple pathways to funding, with alternatives for early candidates in addition to finalists and Grand Prize winners.
• Peer suggestions by way of the Challenge on-line platform, together with the OPPORTUNITY to attach with different Challenge candidates and evaluation functions from friends.
• Access to on-demand trainings to help your changemaking journey, plus stay help periods and workplace hours.
• The alternative to turn out to be a licensed 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 neighborhood, you might be eligible to earn a Youth Venture Certificate from Ashoka, a world chief in youth social entrepreneurship. If you’re not fairly able to be licensed but, Ashoka will work with you to fulfill the certification standards. Along the best way, you’ll acquire entry to instruments, assets, and a rising neighborhood of younger changemakers who’re main change collectively.

Early Application Deadline | Civic Seed Grants for New Ideas

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

Eligible candidates who submit NEW IDEAS could also be chosen to obtain a Civic Seed grant:

• United States: Be one of many first 600 eligible candidates to apply with a NEW IDEAS by November 17, 2026 at 11:59pm ET to obtain a $100 USD Civic Seed Grant, offered all eligibility standards is met.
• Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa: In every nation, 25 eligible candidates who apply with NEW IDEAS by October 10, 2026 at 11:59 CAT might be chosen to obtain a $50 USD Civic Seed Grant, offered all eligibility standards is met.

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

Finalist Awards

Following the evaluation course of, finalists will obtain funding to develop their affect.

United States

• 12 Winners will obtain $500 USD Civic Promise Award
• 10 Finalists will every obtain $1,000 USD Civic Impact Award
• 2 Grand Prize Winners will every obtain $10,000 USD Civic Leadership Award
• Anyone receiving a grant $500 or above will probably be thought of for a spot at an in-particular person convening within the US through the week of July 12, 2027 the place they are going to join, construct expertise, and rejoice their work alongside fellow younger civic leaders. A complete of 10 Challenge Winners will probably be invited to attend the in-particular person convening.*

Stories of inspiring younger changemakers situated within the United States could also be spotlighted as part of the Nickelodeon Our World initiative to rejoice youth company on Nickelodeon TV and digital channels. 

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

Kenya, Nigeria & South Africa

Distributed equally among the many three nations, a complete of 66 winners will probably 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 probably be thought of for a spot at an in-particular person convening through the week of July 26, 2027, the place they are going to join, construct expertise, and rejoice their work alongside fellow younger civic leaders. A complete of 30 Challenge Winners will probably be invited to attend the in-particular person convening in Kenya.*

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

Eligibility

• Applicants have to be between the ages of 5 and 20 by the tip of the entry interval (January 31, 2027).
  • Note: Applicants primarily based in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa who’re 18 years or youthful should have an grownup help with finishing their application. In the United States, candidates who’re 13 years outdated or youthful should have an grownup help with finishing their application.
• Applicants have to be situated in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and/or the United States and U.S. Territories.
• Applications have to be submitted in English.
• The submitted undertaking have to be youth-led, with applicant between the ages of 5 and 20.
• Employees of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation or Ashoka, together with their youngsters and grandchildren, will not be eligible to apply.

Evaluation Criteria

• Dream: Your initiative addresses a significant problem or alternative and presents a transparent imaginative and prescient for optimistic change. The concept is rooted in a private perception, expertise or an “aha” second that impressed motion. The initiative showcases a robust understanding of the difficulty, why it issues, and the change you search to create.
• Team: The initiative mobilizes others round a shared function. It brings individuals collectively who assist transfer the work ahead. It conjures up and permits others to contribute, collaborate, lead, and turn out to be part of your resolution.
• Creativity: The initiative launched a brand new concept, applies a recent perspective, or places a novel twist on an present problem or resolution. Creativity might be mirrored within the concept itself, the way it’s delivered, how individuals are engaged, or how assets are used. The initiative exhibits proof of willingness to be taught, experiment, adapt, and enhance over time.
• Changed World: This criterion is written with two tracks in thoughts, one for rising and new concepts, and the opposite for present tasks.
  • New Idea: They need to see concepts which have the ability to make a optimistic difference. Whether an concept is simply starting or already gaining traction to creating an affect, it demonstrates dedication to turning the concept into motion.
  • Existing Project: The initiative demonstrates progress towards creating lasting optimistic change and exhibits proof that its affect can proceed, deepen, or develop over time.

Application

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to Ashoka Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership.