Deadline: 30 October 2019
Nominations are now open for 2020 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work which will see winners awarded a cash grant to scale-up development work benefiting their communities.
The awards launch coincides with the Commonwealth Asia Region Senior Officials From Youth Ministries Meeting – an event which will allow participants to assess progress on agreed youth policy priorities and finalise a regional strategy aimed at improving the wellbeing and livelihoods of Commonwealth young people.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards recognise the exemplary work undertaken by young people across the 53 member countries. regional winners will be invited to an awards ceremony in London on Commonwealth Day 2020
Sixteen finalists will be shortlisted from four Commonwealth regional categories: Africa and Europe; Asia; the Caribbean and Canada; and the Pacific. A winner will be selected from each region, and one exceptional entrant will be awarded the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent and equal sovereign states. It is a home to 2.4 billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-one of members are small states, many of which are island nations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat
The Commonwealth Secretariat, established in 1965, supports Commonwealth member countries to achieve development, democracy and peace. they are a voice for small and vulnerable states and a champion for young people.
They help to strengthen governance, build inclusive institutions and promote justice and human rights. their work helps to grow economies and boost trade, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality.
At Commonwealth summits, they bring together government leaders whose decisions will have an enduring impact on all citizens. By uniting member countries in this way, they help to amplify their voices and achieve collective action on global challenges.
Structured Areas
- The Commonwealth Secretariat’s structure is split into three areas:
- Economic, Youth and Sustainable Development;
- Governance and Peace;
- Trade, Oceans and Natural Resources.
“The establishment of the Commonwealth Secretariat in 1965 emphasised the equality of all members, and gave final discouragement to the lingering sentiment that one member had a right to some predominance over others. It has enabled the Commonwealth to develop along independent lines in accordance with the interest of all its members.” Julius Nyerere, President of Tanzania (1973).
Vision
To help create and sustain a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful, resilient, peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes equality, diversity and shared values.
Mission
To support member governments, and partner with the broader Commonwealth family and others, to improve the well-being of all Commonwealth citizens and to advance their shared interests globally.
Funding Information
- The 2020 finalists will receive a trophy, a certificate and cash grants to help them continue their development work.
- All finalists will be awarded £1,000. Each selected regional winner will receive an additional £2,000, bringing their total win to £3,000.
- The Commonwealth Young Person of the Year will also receive an additional cash grant of £2,000, bringing her/his total award to £5,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be aged 15 to 29 years;
- Applicants must be a citizen of a Commonwealth member country;
- Applicants should been engaged in development work for more than 12 months – either in a professional or voluntary capacity;
- Applicants must have a strong track record of implementing innovative ideas and linking their development work and its impact to one of the 17 SDGs;
- Applicants must have demonstrated an understanding of the importance of youth engagement in key areas of development.
Eligible Countries
Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Kingdom of eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia.
Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Singapore ,Sri Lanka, Pakistan.
Caribbean and Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and The Grenadines.
Europe: Cyprus, Malta, United Kingdom.
Pacific: Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands,Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply online via given website.
For more information please visit http://thecommonwealth.org/media/event/2020-commonwealth-youth-awards-excellence-development