The Commonwealth Youths Awards for Excellence in Development Work organised and presented by the Commonwealth Youth Programme aims to honour and celebrate young people (aged 15–29) across the Commonwealth nations leading practical, long-term development work in their communities.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT) has joined as a partner to present a unique award to a qualified, selected applicant to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, which will be celebrated next year.
Goals Of The Commonwealth Youth Awards
- To draw attention to the contributions that young people are making to Commonwealth development efforts, notably through the Sustainable Development Goals.
- To create an environment that encourages and sustains youth-led development.
- To demonstrate the diversity of skill, passion, and innovation found among young people throughout the Commonwealth.
- To inspire, encourage, and push young people to set high standards for their work/service in their communities, states, regions, and countries.
Eligibility For The Commonwealth Youth Awards
Below are the eligibility requirements for the award.
- The nominee must have worked in development for at least 12 months, either professionally or voluntarily.
- The nominee must be a Commonwealth citizen, and the development work must be carried out in a Commonwealth member country.
- The nominee must not be older than 29 years old on December 31, 2021; and the nominee must be a Commonwealth citizen.
- Individuals can nominate themselves or be recommended by someone who knows how to explain their development efforts correctly.
To be eligible for the QCT prizes, applicants must also meet the following additional criteria:
- Must be aged 18 to 29 years old on 31 December 2021; and
- Should be the founder or co-founder of a social enterprise.
What You Stand To Gain
There will be four finalists for each Commonwealth region, with the top entries receiving the Regional Winner Award. In addition, the top Regional Winner will receive the Pan-Commonwealth Award and be named the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2022.
The 20 Regional Finalists will each receive a £1,000 grant, a trophy, and a certificate.
The 5 Regional Winners will receive an additional £2,000 (a total of £3,000), a trophy and a certificate.
The Pan-Commonwealth Winner will receive an additional £2,000 (a total of £5,000), a trophy and a certificate.
The selected winner of the QCT prizes will receive two years of flexible funding at £20,000 a year and coaching opportunities and organisational development support.
The Selection Process
Awards will be decided based on:
- Your level of impact.
- Your level of innovation/fresh approaches to problem-solving.
- Your quality of achievement;
- Your quality of the evidence provided and lastly;
- Your sustainability.
How To Apply
To apply for this award, click here.
Deadline
Apply for this award on or before 17th October 2021.
Want to start a business and do not know how to start? Visit our resource centre to get our business guides to help you start, market and grow a sustainable business.
