In celebration of what would have been Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday in April 2026, the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) has launched its inaugural 100 Young Leaders Awards. This prestigious program aims to honor 100 exceptional young changemakers, aged 18 to 35, from across the 56 Commonwealth countries who are driving positive social impact.
The awards build on the legacy of the former Queen’s Young Leaders Programme, which recognized inspiring young people for their community work. The new initiative seeks to discover and amplify the voices of the next generation of Commonwealth youth leaders, empowering them to expand their influence and create lasting change.
A tribute to a champion of youth
This commemorative program honors Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s dedication to the Commonwealth and its young people and her belief in their ability to create a better future. The awards aim to celebrate achievements and build a network of young leaders from diverse regions.
Focused on impact: The five key areas
The awards recognize young leaders making an impact in one of QECT’s five key areas:
- Education and Employability
- Environment
- Food and Agriculture
- Health
- Inclusion
Eligibility and application process
Eligible applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old, hold a key leadership role in a social impact initiative active for at least 12 months, be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country, and apply in English through the QECT website. The deadline is October 8, 2025.
Benefits for awardees
Awardees receive significant benefits to help them expand their impact:
- Official award recognition and a chance to apply for a microgrant.
- Capacity-building support and mentorship.
- Global visibility and networking opportunities.
Fostering a network of changemakers
The QECT 100 Young Leaders Awards connect awardees with a network of innovators and advocates, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. This program highlights the successes of young leaders, aiming to inspire further action and investment in youth-led initiatives and demonstrating the power of youth to drive positive change.
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