Global Citizen and Cisco Open Applications for Third Annual Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award

(New York, New York | August 17, 2020) - International advocacy organization Global Citizen and Cisco today announced that applications are open for the third annual Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award, which recognizes and uplifts youth activists who are positively impacting the world.

Selected via an application process, the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award honors an individual aged 18-30 who has contributed meaningfully towards the goal of ending extreme poverty. Demonstrating the impact young leaders are having on society and leading the way to achieving the Global Goals, the award includes a $250,000 prize paid to the organization to which the individual contributes.

The winner of the Cisco Youth Leadership Award will be announced at the Global Citizen Prize awards ceremony in December, an event that shines a light on world leaders, artists, business leaders, and youth activists who keep the world’s poor at the forefront of their life’s work. In 2019, the Global Citizen Prize ceremony took place in London's iconic Royal Albert Hall and was broadcast to the world on NBC and Sky One as holiday specials, featuring remarkable stories, musical collaborations, and a host of special guests.

“Now more than ever, in part due to the pandemic, it’s especially important to encourage youth leadership. We are proud to support the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award so young leaders can have the opportunity to accelerate problem solving for a brighter tomorrow,” said FRAN KATSOUDAS, CISCO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER. “Past winners have displayed extraordinary leadership by coupling technology with a passion to solve real-world issues. We look forward to this year’s applicants who will drive meaningful social impact to help eliminate extreme poverty for an inclusive future.”

Applications are currently open until Sunday, September 20, 2020 and voting will be open to the public beginning November 10, 2020.

The award will be based on five equally-weighted criteria, including:

• Impact: The recipient must demonstrate a track record of measurable impact at scale over the last 3-5 years advancing one or more of the Global Goals.
• Vision: The recipient must present a compelling vision and concrete plans for how to extend this work in the next 3-5 years, including how the prize will advance efforts.
• Catalyst: The recipient should serve as a catalyst for the movement, and inspire other young people to have an impact on achieving one or more of the Global Goals.
• Global Citizenship: The recipient should demonstrate the values and embodies the spirit of a Global Citizen and a global problem solver.
• Technology Innovation: The recipient should innovate with technology or Internet-based communications to improve efficiency, reach, and magnify impact.

“We are thrilled to open applications for the 2020 Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award. The innovation we've seen from candidates around the world has cemented our belief that our young leaders are moving us closer to solving some of the greatest challenges our societies face,” said HUGH EVANS, CEO OF GLOBAL CITIZEN. “We’re honored once again to partner with Cisco to recognize these individuals and scale the impact of their contributions to eradicating extreme poverty.” 

Global Citizen and Cisco are collectively focused on the social impact young people can have to achieve the Global Goals. Global Citizen is focused on building social movements and citizen action. Cisco empowers social change agents with technology and expertise, while accelerating global problem solving to benefit people, society, and the planet.

Last year’s finalists included Cisco Youth Leadership Award winner Priya Prakash, founder and CEO of HealthSetGo; Haroon Yasin, founder and CEO of Orenda; Luisa Bonin, co-founder of Tamo Junto; Nashin Mahtani of PetaBencana.id; and Alain Ntfeff, founder of Gifted Mom. Nearly 400 candidates have applied to the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award since its creation in 2018. 

To learn more about the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award, visit www.globalcitizen.org/en/prize/youth-leadership.

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