Young people are the guiding force behind the movement towards achieving the Global Goals and solving the world’s most pressing issues. That's why Global Citizen and Cisco have joined together in a unique partnership to create the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award to highlight the significant contributions made by young people around the world in achieving humanity’s common goals.

The prize, awarded for the first time in 2018, honors one young change-maker helping to create a better world for all, every year.

The 2019 award — which includes a prize of $250,000 given to the organization affiliated with the winner — will be presented to one person between ages 18 and 30 who has taken meaningful action to end global poverty at an award ceremony to take place in December. 

Last year's winner, Wawira Njiru, is the 28-year-old founder and executive director of Food 4 Education, which provides nutrient-rich lunches to underprivileged primary school children in Kenya to combat widespread hunger in the region. 

The winner of the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award 2019 is someone who can demonstrate the achievement of measurable impact at scale over the last three to five years and who has advanced one or more of the Global Goals, while inspiring other young people to do the same. This individual also improves the efficiency and reach of their impact, magnifying it through technological innovation and internet-based communication. 

Candidates must present a compelling vision and concrete plans for expanding their work over the next three to five years, including an explanation of how the prize would advance their current efforts. The winner will ultimately embody the values and the spirit of a Global Citizen and a global problem solver.

Applications for the prize are officially open and all submissions are due by Oct. 6. Learn more about the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award and how to apply here.