Fifty People Shortlisted for 2023 Commonwealth Youth Awards
July 27, 2023
By Samuel Ouma
The Commonwealth has shortlisted fifty outstanding young people for the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work.
Those shortlisted are social entrepreneurs, environmental champions, innovators, and human rights activists aged between 15 and 29 from across the Commonwealth.
They represent five regions: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific.
Out of the 50, twenty will be selected as finalists, and overall winners will be unveiled during the awards ceremony slated for September 14, 2023, in London.
The ceremony will be held in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme.
"Each year, I am always 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,” said Hon. Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary General.
“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.”
"I congratulate all the finalists and applaud them for the exceptional contribution that they are making in their communities. I look forward to meeting the 20 finalists in London this September,” added Hon. Scotland.
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.
As part of the Commonwealth Secretariat's ongoing collaboration with the Queen's Commonwealth Trust (QCT), an additional £20,000 in funding will be provided to one project for two years.
The winner will be announced at the formal awards event as well. They will be enrolled on QCT's Platinum Jubilee Fund program and will have access to coaching and development opportunities to assist their initiative success.
The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work are coordinated by the Commonwealth Youth Programme, which is part of the Commonwealth Secretariat's Social Policy Development Division.
This year’s award attracted less than 1000 entries from 39 countries.
The awards will be handed in person this year after two previous virtual presentations owing to the COVID-19 epidemic.
