Nelson Mandela – Graça Machel Innovation Awards 2024-2025 (up to $7,500)

The Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards will recognize five innovative ideas and projects from individuals, organizations, networks, or community groups with seed funding of US$7,500.

Under the core theme “Uplifting Humanity,” they are searching for innovations that challenge the status quo and bridge divides. Whether you’re pursuing Tech for Good, exploring the intersection of Climate and Social Justice, working on Bridging Citizens and Government, or demonstrating Community Resilience, they want to hear about it!

The Award was established in 2004 by CIVICUS, an international alliance of civil society organisations. Since their inception, the awards have provided seed funding, communication opportunities, and networking support to help amplify the impact of grassroots initiatives. The awards underscore the importance of justice, freedom and collective action in effecting positive change.

Categories

The five awards will be presented under the following categories:

• Individual Award – Recognises the achievements of a single person who has demonstrated innovative thinking and made a significant impact through creative interventions in their community.
• Organisation Award – Recognises an organization that has transformed their ways of working and made a positive impact through their collective efforts. The award acknowledges the organization’s commitment to creativity, collaboration, and the change they have brought to their community or the sector.
• Youth Award – Recognises the outstanding achievements of young innovators who have demonstrated inspiring creativity and made a difference with their interventions.
• Brave Philanthropy Award – Recognises those individuals and organisations that promote just and equitable financial partnerships and have exhibited courage and innovation in their philanthropic endeavours.
• Community Award – Recognises individuals, groups, or organizations whose efforts have led to betterment in their community. The award acknowledges their commitment to addressing local challenges, fostering collaboration, bridging divides, and fostering growth through their efforts.

Prizes of Nelson Mandela

One winner from each category will be selected. Each winning initiative will receive:

• A US$7,500 award to further your amazing work!
• Two fully-funded trips to an Innovation Convening in late May 2025 and to International Civil Society Week 1 – 5 November 2025, in Bangkok.
• Join CIVICUS’ Innovation Community!

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Eligibility for Nelson Mandela

• Your innovation is a product, service or process that creates value and has the potential to make a difference for the better in your community;
• Your innovation, whether a product, service, or process, protects or expands civic space by promoting and defending freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, or freedom of expression;
• Your innovation helps build community and/or promotes social justice;
• You are over the age of 18 at the time of applying;
• Available and excited for 2 trips to promote Innovation;
• You can apply in English, Arabic, French or Spanish.

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Application

The Innovation Awards application platform requires a quick registration to access the application form. This is because your application can be edited until the closing date.

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