Events
The Young Activists Summit is held annually in the fall in Geneva, Switzerland, and online. Nominations for #YAS25 are now open—nominate yourself or an activist today!
.webp)
activists
summit
Do you want to become a Young Activists Summit Laureate?
Or do you know an activist who would be a good fit?
Submit a nomination below!
Before applying, please carefully read the FAQs below and download the checklist to make sure you’re fully prepared.
About the award
Five Laureates are selected each year. Each cohort includes activists from different regions of the world, championing diverse causes, yet all have demonstrated a tangible impact.
YAS supports its activists and amplifies their projects through various means including:
o Recognition: During an official Summit at the United Nations in Geneva, Laureates are publicly recognized for their dedication and achievements which enhances their credibility globally.
o Award: Laureates are honored during an official summit at the Palais des Nations, United Nations in Geneva, further enhancing their global credibility.
o Visibility: A mixed media campaign including filming of the Laureates work, an online campaign, and media interviews are organized around the Summit to maximize coverage.
o Networking: Strategic meetings and VIP events connect activists with key decision-makers, such as diplomats, international organization representatives, and NGOs, active in their fields and tailored to their specific needs.
o Training: Experts provide guidance on essential skills like fundraising, public speaking, mental health, and both online and physical safety.
o Tailored support: Activists receive personalized assistance to implement concrete projects aligned with their causes.
o End of April – Nomination deadline
o May / June – Interviews with shortlisted candidates
o October – Announcement of the YAS Laureates
o End of November / Early December: Official Summit
Receiving the YAS Award means joining the YAS Alumni Community, where Laureates receive tailored opportunities and occasional support based on their most pressing needs. YAS also collaborates with past Laureates on projects when relevant opportunities arise to maximize the impact of their work.
Making a nomination
Anyone can submit a nomination!
To be eligible for nomination, the activist must meet the following two criteria:
o Be aged 30 or under
o Be able to demonstrate concrete, tangible impact in their community or on the environment
Yes, individuals can nominate themselves.
YAS accepts nominations in any language. However, including an English translation is recommended to help with the review process.
Simply fill out the nomination form above.
To ensure you have all the necessary information for your application, download this checklist. It outlines everything you'll need to include in your submission.
When submitting a nomination, please provide evidence that demonstrates the impact of the nominee’s work. In addition to describing their achievements, we encourage you to include web links, articles, or any supporting documents that showcase the scale and significance of their contributions.
You can complete the form as you go, but please note that there is no option to save your progress.
The YAS Jury is composed of a diverse group of human rights and environmental advocates, experts, and thought leaders from all over the world. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from various fields to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all submissions.
The most important factor for the YAS Jury is the impact of the nominee’s work. They want to know how it has positively affected their community or the environment. Your nominee doesn’t need to have a global impact yet; what matters most is the quality of their work and the difference it’s making. The Jury also looks at the potential of the nominee’s project to grow and make an even bigger impact in the future.
Once your nomination is submitted, you will receive a confirmation. However, YAS does not provide status updates during the judging process.
If you or your nominee is pre-selected as a potential Laureate, YAS will reach out to the candidate to conduct online interviews and a background check before the official announcement.
Unfortunately, if you or your nominee is not selected, you will not receive further communication, as YAS is unable to follow up on individual submissions.
2024 Activists
Discover the fantastic young activists who have been honoured at the 2024 event!