Do you have an idea for creating positive change in your school or community?
Do you have an idea for creating positive change in your school or community? Or are you already working on a project for good and engaging others to make a difference?
That’s civic leadership: identifying a challenge in your community and working with others to create solutions, inspire action, and make a positive difference.
We're calling on everyone between 5 and 20 and under living in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, the United States, and U.S. territories. Are you leading a project that’s making a difference? Are you part of a youth-led organization that helps people get involved in their communities? Or do you have an idea to change the world that you’d love to put into action?
If your answer is YES to any of these questions, apply to the Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership! This is your chance to win seed funding, connect with other young changemakers, and attend an unforgettable in-person convening.
Timeline
Prize Package
Prize Package
- All Eligible Participants Will Receive:
- Multiple pathways to funding, with opportunities for early applicants as well as finalists and Grand Prize winners.
- Peer feedback via the Challenge online platform, including the opportunity to connect with other Challenge applicants and review applications from peers.
- Access to on-demand trainings to support your changemaking journey, plus live support sessions and office hours.
- The opportunity to become a certified Ashoka Youth Venturer, whether or not they are selected as a winner of the Challenge. If you've taken action on an idea that creates positive change in your school or community, you may be eligible to earn a Youth Venture Certificate from Ashoka, a global leader in youth social entrepreneurship. If you’re not quite ready to be certified yet, Ashoka will work with you to meet the certification criteria. Along the way, you'll gain access to tools, resources, and a growing community of young changemakers who are leading change together.
- Early Application Deadline | Civic Seed Grants for New Ideas
Apply early for the opportunity to receive seed funding to jumpstart your civic leadership journey.
Eligible applicants who submit NEW IDEAS may be selected to receive a Civic Seed Grant:
- United States: Be one of the first 600 eligible applicants to apply with a NEW IDEAS by November 17, 2026 at 11:59pm ET to receive a $100 USD Civic Seed Grant, provided all eligibility criteria is met.
- Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa: In each country, 25 eligible applicants who apply with NEW IDEAS by October 10, 2026 at 11:59 CAT can be selected to receive a $50 USD Civic Seed Grant, provided all eligibility criteria is met.
These grants are designed to help young changemakers take the next step in bringing their ideas to life while continuing through the Challenge.
- Finalist Awards
Following the review process, finalists will receive funding to grow their impact.
United States
- 12 Winners will receive $500 USD Civic Promise Award
- 10 Finalists will each receive $1,000 USD Civic Impact Award
- 2 Grand Prize Winners will each receive $10,000 USD Civic Leadership Award
- Anyone receiving a grant $500 or above will be considered for a spot at an in-person convening in the US during the week of July 12, 2027 where they will connect, build skills, and celebrate their work alongside fellow young civic leaders. A total of 10 Challenge Winners will be invited to attend the in-person convening.*
*Ashoka will cover eligible travel and participation costs, including airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and meals during the convening. Chaperone travel will also be provided for eligible participants under 18, in accordance with the Challenge Rules.
Kenya, Nigeria & South Africa
Distributed equally among the three countries, a total of 66 winners will be selected:
- 30 Winners will each receive $250 USD Civic Promise Award
- 30 Finalists will each receive $1,000 USD Civic Impact Award
- 6 Grand Prize Winners will each receive $5,000 USD Civic Leadership Award
Anyone receiving a grant $250 or above will be considered for a spot at an in-person convening during the week of July 26, 2027, where they will connect, build skills, and celebrate their work alongside fellow young civic leaders. A total of 30 Challenge Winners will be invited to attend the in-person convening in Kenya.*
*Ashoka will cover eligible travel and participation costs, including airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and meals during the convening. Chaperone travel will also be provided for eligible participants under 18, in accordance with the Challenge Rules.
Eligibility Criteria
Click here to read this challenge's full Terms & Conditions.
Participant Age
Applicants must be between the ages of 5 and 20 by the end of the entry period (January 31, 2027).
Please note: Applicants based in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa who are 18 years or younger must have an adult support with completing their application. In the United States, applicants who are 13 years old or younger must have an adult support with completing their application.
Residency
Applicants must be located in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and/or the United States and U.S. Territories.
Language
Applications must be submitted in English.
Youth-Led Project
The submitted project must be youth-led, with applicant between the ages of 5 and 20.
Exclusions
Employees of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation or Ashoka, along with their children and grandchildren, are not eligible to apply.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Criteria
- Dream
Your initiative addresses a meaningful challenge or opportunity and presents a clear vision for positive change. The idea is rooted in a personal insight, experience or an “aha” moment that inspired action. The initiative showcases a strong understanding of the issue, why it matters, and the change you seek to create.
- Team
The initiative mobilizes others around a shared purpose. It brings people together who help move the work forward. It inspires and enables others to contribute, collaborate, lead, and become part of your solution.
- Creativity
The initiative introduced a new idea, applies a fresh perspective, or puts a unique twist on an existing challenge or solution. Creativity can be reflected in the idea itself, how it’s delivered, how people are engaged, or how resources are used. The initiative shows evidence of willingness to learn, experiment, adapt, and improve over time.
- Changed World
This criterion is written with two tracks in mind, one for emerging and new ideas, and the other for existing projects.
New Idea: We want to see ideas that have the power to make a positive difference. Whether an idea is just beginning or already gaining traction to making an impact, it demonstrates commitment to turning the idea into action.
Existing Project: The initiative demonstrates progress toward creating lasting positive change and shows evidence that its impact can continue, deepen, or grow over time.
Support
- United States
We want to make sure you have everything you need to apply, and we’re here to help!
Register for an information session, live support session, or office hours to learn more about the Challenge, receive application guidance, and get real-time support from staff members. Information session recordings will be added to this page after each session and can be accessed as an ongoing resource.
Info Sessions
Join us to learn more about the program, hear what makes a great application, and ask any questions you might have!
- Sunday, September 16, 2026 (7pm ET): Register here
- Monday, October 5, 2026 (8pm ET): Register here
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (4pm ET): Register here
- Thursday, December 17, 2026 (4pm ET): Register here
Office Hours
Want more personalized feedback on your application? Join us anytime during the two-hour sessions for direct feedback from our team!
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (7-9pm ET): Register here
Reviewers to the Rescue Sessions
Last-minute questions? Get help right before the deadlines!
- Early Entry Deadline! Tuesday, November 17, 2026 (7-9pm EST): Register here
- Final Deadline! Thursday, January 31, 2027 (6pm-11:59pm EST) Register here
- Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa
We want to make sure you have everything you need to apply, and we’re here to help!
Register for an information session, live support session, or office hour to learn more about the Challenge, receive application guidance, and get real-time support from staff members. Information session recordings will be added to this page after each session and can be accessed as an ongoing resource.
Info Sessions
Join us to learn more about the program, hear what makes a great application, and ask any questions you might have!
- Info session 1:
- Kenya - Tuesday, September 15 at 12-1pm EAT: Register here
- Nigeria - Wednesday, September 16 at 12-1pm WAT: Register here
- South Africa - Thursday, September 17 at 12-1pm SAST: Register here
- Joint Africa info session 2– Wednesday, October 14 at 2-3pm EAT | 12-1pm WAT | 1-2pm SAST: Register here
Office Hours
Want more personalized feedback on your application? Join us anytime during the two-hour sessions for direct feedback from our team!
- Tuesday, October 6 at 2-4pm EAT | 12-2pm WAT | 1-3pm SAST: Register here
- Wednesday, November 11 at 2-4pm EAT | 12-1pm WAT | 1-3pm SAST: Register here
- Tuesday, January 19 at 2-4pm EAT | 12-1pm WAT | 1-3pm SAST: Register here
Reviewers to the Rescue Sessions
Last-minute questions? Get help right before the deadlines!
- Early Entry Deadline! Friday, October 09 at 3-5pmEAT | 1-3pm WAT | 2-4pm SAST: Register here
- Final Deadline! Friday, January 29 at 3-5pmEAT | 1-3pm WAT | 2-4pm SAST: Register here
- Info session 1:
Resources
- Educator Resources
- Problems & Passions Worksheet (https://canva.link/wayc8yaylybq9fr)
- Check out this activity to support your students to identify what problem they’re passionate about and to start thinking about what they want to do to solve the problem! This activity is a good starting point to help your students think about what issues exist and which ones they feel strongly about so they can begin to think about how they want to take action.
- Changemaker Action Journal (https://bit.ly/4gKqDWg)
- The Changemaker Action Journal was created to inspire middle and high school students to reflect on issues they notice in their communities and take action to address them.
- Challenge Flyer (https://canva.link/shuw6i3ertk4791)
- Help spread the word! Post these flyers around your school so more students can learn about the chance to receive $10,000 and support to create change they’re excited about. Get the flyers up, get people talking, and encourage students to apply.
- Application Guide (https://bit.ly/4xtVYmZ)
- Use the Application Guide to help students navigate the application process with confidence. Share it with students as a go-to resource for understanding the requirements and putting together their application.
- YouTube Inspiration Playlist
- Problems & Passions Worksheet (https://canva.link/wayc8yaylybq9fr)
- Student & Educator Resources
- Problems & Passions Worksheet (https://canva.link/wayc8yaylybq9fr)
- Not sure what issue you want to take on? Use this activity to explore problems you care about, identify what you’re passionate about, and start thinking about how you could take action to make a difference.
- Changemaker Action Journal (https://bit.ly/4gKqDWg)
- Ready to turn what you care about into action? Use the Changemaker Action Journal to reflect on issues you notice in your school or community, explore your ideas, and start thinking about how you can create change.
- Challenge Flyer (https://canva.link/shuw6i3ertk4791)
- Help spread the word! Share or post the Challenge Flyer at your school so other students can learn about the chance to receive $10,000 and support to bring an idea for change to life. Get your friends talking and encourage them to apply, too!
- Application Guide (https://bit.ly/4xtVYmZ)
- Ready to apply? Use the Application Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to create your account and get set up to submit your application.
- Problems & Passions Worksheet (https://canva.link/wayc8yaylybq9fr)
For any questions or support on the Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership, reach out to us via email [email protected] or message us on Instagram @ashokachangemakers. Anyone in the US can also text us at (571) 622-1066 for support!
