2024 YGC Recoupling Awards || Apply Now

With the “Young Global Changers Recoupling Awards” the Global Solutions Initiative aims to identify, recognize and reward young changemakers from all over the world who contribute actively towards a better alignment – a “recoupling” – of economic prosperity with environmental sustainability and the needs and demands of societies, communities and individuals.

The award seeks to recognize concrete practices and impactful youth-led projects and initiatives that drive change on the ground, while also serving as examples and inspiration beyond their immediate impact. Projects can be social enterprises as well as youth-led nonprofit initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria need to be fulfilled by all applicants to be eligible, independent from the category in which they apply. 

• Individuals Only: Only individual people can apply. You cannot apply as an organization, only as its representative. 
• Leading Role: Participants should have a leading position in the project or initiative they are applying with. (This can be the founder, co-founder, project-lead, initiator or a similar role.) 
• Strong English: Participants must have a command of the English language  strong enough to present their work in front of a jury and an audience, and to participate in group conversations. 
• Age: The Young Global Changers program aims to empower youth. Applicants should preferably be between the ages of 18 and 35. 
• Motivation: The applicants should show motivation to become active members of a global network which aims at bringing about lasting global change. 

Eligibility Criteria for all Projects  

The following criteria need to be fulfilled by all projects to be eligible, independent from the category in which they apply. 

• Recoupling: The project, business, or initiative with which you apply needs to aim at recoupling, i.e., a better alignment of economic or political activities with social well-being and environmental sustainability. This means putting the needs of people and environmental sustainability at the center of economic and/or political activities. 
• Organizational Stage: The project or initiative must be beyond the idea stage. It should be currently active and running.

Eligibility Criteria per Category  

All applicants must fulfill the criteria mentioned above. Additional criteria apply for each of the three categories. A detailed list of these criteria for each category can be below.

Category Eligibility:

Reimagine Business

1. Social Enterprise

Your organization needs to be a viable entity actively involved in commercial, industrial, or professional endeavors, with a demonstrable capacity for generating a positive impact on social or ecological dimensions. 

          2. Financial Self-Sufficiency 

Your organization may presently receive financial backing from external sources, such as grants, but must aim for financial self-sufficiency over a medium to long-term horizon.  

          3. Purpose Driven – Alignment Focus 

Your business or social enterprise is effectively executing a business strategy that purposefully incorporates and tangibly actualizes economic prosperity with the enhancement of social well-being and/or the promotion of environmental sustainability. 

Reimagine Social and Climate Action 

1. Values–Driven  

Your project aligns with a mission or values-centered approach, focusing on not-for-profit objectives. This means that your services are provided with the primary goal of addressing social or environmental concerns rather than seeking monetary compensation. 

          2. Alignment  

Your project has implemented an operational strategy that deliberately incorporates social well-being and environmental sustainability.  

          3. Social or Environmental Focus 

Your organization must be involved in one or more of the following activities: 

• • Directly assisting individuals impacted by ongoing social or environmental crises or persistent issues.
  • Empowering individuals or communities to tackle social, economic, educational, or environmental challenges themselves,  
  • Helping to directly address environmental crises like biodiversity loss, pollution, or climate emergencies. 

Reimagine Civic Engagement

1. Values – Driven  

Your project aligns with a mission or values-centered approach, focusing on not-for-profit-focused objectives. This means that your services are provided with the primary goal of addressing social or environmental concerns rather than seeking monetary compensation.  

           2. Civic Focus 

Your project aims to increase and improve civic and/or public-sphere engagement. This may include empowering people to actively engage in their civic space, become active citizens and/or help to increase accountability and transparency in decision-making. 

           3. Alignment 

Your project has implemented an operational strategy that deliberately incorporates social well-being and environmental sustainability by doing the following: 

• • Directly assisting, educating, or empowering individuals or communities to engage in their civic space. 
  • Shifting power to individuals and communities by engaging in the civic space. 
  • Creating avenues for people to become more active designers of their circumstances, globally, nationally or locally through civic participation.  
  • Encouraging communities to hold decision makers who have an impact on their lives accountable.