Ashoka-Carnegie Civic Leadership Challenge 2027

Description

The Ashoka-Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership supports youth-led initiatives addressing a community problem. For the African track, applicants must live in Kenya, Nigeria or South Africa and be between 5 and 20 at the end of the entry period on 31 January 2027. Applications must be submitted in English, and applicants aged 18 or younger need an adult’s support to complete them. The African awards are 250, 1,000 or 5,000 US dollars depending on selection. Some recipients may also be invited to a convening in Kenya with eligible participation costs covered, but that invitation is not automatic. The African seed grants associated with 10 October have already closed and must not be confused with the final deadline. New ideas and existing initiatives can be considered. Explain the issue, the actual leadership role of the young people and how others become involved. Separate intended impact from achieved results, rather than assuming all awardees receive the same funding and travel package.

Official source and verification

Eligibility criteria

• Live in Kenya, Nigeria or South Africa for the African track.
• Be aged 5 to 20 at the end of the entry period.
• Youth-led project, English application and adult support for applicants aged 18 or younger.
• Organiser employees and their children and grandchildren are excluded.

Application procedure