Fifty outstanding young social entrepreneurs, environmental champions, innovators and human rights activists from across the Commonwealth have been short listed for next month’s prestigious Commonwealth Youth Awards.Selection of the twenty finalists is currently being made by a panel which is carefully studying the impressive range of projects and initiatives being undertaken by young people aged between 15 and 29 and the strides they are making towards achieving sustainable development goals.The twenty finalists will attend an awards ceremony in London marking the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme when the winners will be announced.
Projects devised by young people from 39 Commonwealth countries range from innovative ways to tackle ocean plastics to programmes to improve health, sanitation and economic opportunity for women in rural communities and projects to strengthen environmental protection and sustainability.
This year’s competition has seen almost 1,000 entries given rigorous scrutiny by the judges who compiled the shortlist from the award's five regional categories: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific. The panel of judges included high commissioners, development experts and youth leaders from across the Commonwealth.
The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, said: "Each year, I am amazed by the innovative and transformative work these young people are undertaking to create a better world for us all. I am particularly proud that 50 young leaders are being honoured in this Commonwealth Year of the Youth. I have always been of the view that development should be youth-led. Those who have been shortlisted prove that young people are not just passive bystanders, waiting to see what the future will bring. Instead, they are actively shaping it.”
Each of the 20 finalists will receive a trophy, certificate and £1,000 to expand the impact of their work. The top finalist from each region will be recognised as the regional winner and will receive £3,000. One of the five regional winners will become the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2023 and will be awarded £5,000.
Through the Commonwealth Secretariat's partnership with the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, an additional prize of £20,000 in funding will be awarded to one project, delivered over the course of two years. The winner will be enrolled into QCT’s Youth Ventures Programme and given access to coaching and development opportunities to help their project flourish.The Awards will be announced at the ceremony on September 14th.
By Howard Leader
