The Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award was created by Cisco and Global Citizen to recognize and celebrate a young leader between the ages of 18 and 30 who has made a significant contribution toward ending extreme poverty through the innovative use of technology.
The winner will receive a US $250,000 prize, awarded to the organization to which they contribute, and will be honored at Global Citizen NOW 2026 in New York City in May 2026.
The Cisco Youth Leadership Award was established to celebrate young people who are using technology to advance one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The award highlights the transformative role youth play in addressing global challenges, from poverty and inequality to climate change and digital inclusion.
Impact
Applicants must demonstrate a measurable and proven impact over the past three to five years in advancing one or more of the Global Goals.
Vision
Candidates should present a compelling long-term vision and a practical plan for scaling their work in the next three to five years, including how the award funds will accelerate their impact.
Catalyst
Applicants should demonstrate how their leadership inspires other young people to take action toward achieving the Global Goals.
Global Citizenship
Candidates should embody the values of a Global Citizen — integrity, empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to solving global challenges.
Technology Innovation
Applicants must show how they are using technology or internet-based communication to improve efficiency, scale impact, and enhance the quality of their solutions.
Who can apply:
Individuals aged 18–30 from any country are eligible, except those in countries or entities under U.S. sanctions as outlined by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Applicants can represent any type of legally registered organization — non-profit, for-profit, social enterprise, or B-corp.
Applicants do not need to be founders or CEOs but must hold a role that demonstrates significant impact.
Timeline:
Applications Open: November 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM PT
Applications Close: December 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM PT
Finalists Announced: Around February 2, 2026
Winner Announced: May 2026 at Global Citizen NOW in New York City
To complete the application, candidates must provide:
Personal and Organizational Details: Basic information and a scanned copy of a valid passport.
Video Pitch: A 1–2 minute video (uploaded to YouTube) explaining why you deserve the award and how your work aligns with the Global Goals.
Written Responses: Short-answer questions (maximum 250 words each) addressing how your work meets the judging criteria.
Organizational Documentation: Proof of registration, incorporation, or tax exemption status.
Note: Applications without a video pitch will not be considered.
All eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of representatives from Cisco, Global Citizen, and independent experts in international development and technology.
Up to five finalists will be chosen on or around February 2, 2026. Finalists will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation and may be asked to submit supplemental documentation.
Final judging will be conducted by a panel of leaders from Global Citizen, Cisco, and distinguished global changemakers.
If selected as a finalist, applicants must submit three letters (or short videos) of endorsement from:
A colleague,
A funder or operational partner, and
A person impacted by their work.
Letters should be recent (less than six months old), written on official letterhead, and signed. Videos should be no longer than two minutes.
The US $250,000 award will be paid directly to the winner’s nominated organization. The funds are unrestricted, though winners are asked to provide quarterly updates for three years on how the prize has supported their organization’s growth and impact.
Applications must be submitted in English. Applicants who draft their responses in another language are welcome to submit translated versions. Once submitted, applications cannot be modified.
For additional questions or technical issues, please email cyla@globalcitizen.org.
Cisco and Global Citizen share a vision of empowering young people to develop scalable solutions that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Together, they are committed to identifying, supporting, and amplifying the voices of young leaders driving positive social and economic change around the world.
Learn more and apply today: Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award
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