Commonwealth Secretariat has opened nominations for the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. The awards highlight young people making a positive difference in their communities.
Managed by the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the awards, popularly known as the Commonwealth Youth Awards (CYA), recognise outstanding young changemakers, aged 15 to 29, from 56 member countries who demonstrate impactful projects that support the achievement of the SDGs.
Each year, an outstanding entrant is named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, with regional awards given for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and the Pacific.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, said: “Across our 56 member countries, young people are not waiting for permission to act.
They are building sustainable farms, launching climate apps, mentoring students, running for local office, and turning the Sustainable Development Goals into local, living realities.
They are the change, and it’s our job to support them.” Reflecting on his experience, the CEO of LightEd and the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, Stanley Anigbogu, said: “Winning the award was surreal, I couldn’t believe it when I heard my name called, and it’s been an amazing experience thus far. Not only have I received tangible support, but I have also been given a number of opportunities to highlight my work. I have also developed partnerships and friendships because of this experience. I highly recommend being a part of it.”
All finalists will be awarded a £1,000 grant. Each selected regional winner will receive an additional £2,000, bringing their total win to £3,000, and the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year will receive an additional cash grant of £2,000, bringing their total award to £5,000.
