Submissions are now open for the 2025–2026 Young Aurora Program, an international competition that inspires young changemakers to design and implement impactful projects addressing urgent humanitarian challenges in their local communities.
Organized by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative in collaboration with United World Colleges (UWC International), and supported by Teach For All and the African Leadership Academy (ALA), this annual competition provides student teams with the opportunity to turn their ideas into real-world solutions — and a chance to win a $10,000 grant to expand their initiatives.
The Young Aurora Program was launched to empower youth to create meaningful social change through innovation, empathy, and leadership. It invites teams of students from UWC schools and the ALA to submit project proposals that address pressing local and global challenges, from education inequality and climate resilience to gender empowerment and public health.
Each project is evaluated based on creativity, sustainability, research depth, and potential impact. The top three teams are invited to present their projects to an international panel of humanitarians, entrepreneurs, and social innovators.
The winning team receives a $10,000 grant to scale their project and create lasting change within their community. In addition, all participants gain access to mentorship, constructive feedback, and global networking opportunities designed to help them strengthen their initiatives.
Since its inception, the Young Aurora Program has reviewed over 145 student-led projects across 19 schools, awarding 16 grants totaling $50,000 to support youth-driven solutions to humanitarian issues.
The 2024–2025 Young Aurora winners from UWC Mahindra College were recognized for their initiative, The Chulha Project, which aims to reduce indoor air pollution and health risks for women and children by replacing traditional mud cookstoves with locally produced rocket stoves.
These improved stoves cut emissions by up to 86% and reduce firewood use by 50%, offering both environmental and health benefits. The team is using its $10,000 grant to expand the project from 50 households in Maharashtra’s Mulshi Valley through community training and advocacy.
Enlightenment (2023–2024) – UWC Changshu China: Empowering rural youth from underprivileged backgrounds through discussion-based learning and community-led social change.
Combili (2022–2023) – UWC Dilijan: Transforming urban biowaste into fertile soil through sustainable child-led gardening programs.
Seed of Hope (2021) – Waterford Kamhlaba UWC: Creating a youth hub at Malindza Refugee Camp in eSwatini for online education and social engagement.
Beehive Divide (2020) – UWC East Africa: Constructing beehive fences to reduce human-elephant conflict in Tanzania.
Smokeless Kitchens (2019) – UWC East Africa: Introducing affordable, eco-friendly stoves to improve health outcomes for rural women.
Amaavasya (2018) – UWC Mahindra College: Enabling women in Maharashtra to engage in conversations breaking menstrual taboos.
DoGood.shop (2017) – UWC Robert Bosch College: Supporting vulnerable communities through an online marketplace selling handmade and upcycled products.
The Young Aurora Program provides more than funding — it’s a platform for students to build leadership, teamwork, and social entrepreneurship skills while contributing to sustainable development goals.
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian issues. Through education and collaboration, Aurora empowers the next generation of changemakers to create a more just and compassionate world.
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