About this opportunity
If you are 20 or younger and already running, or shaping, a project that helps your school or community, this challenge was built for exactly that. Ashoka runs it with support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, and it is open to young people living in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, the United States and US territories. You do not need to be a citizen of one of those countries, only resident there.
The money arrives in stages. Twenty five early applicants in each of Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa receive a USD 50 Civic Seed Grant simply for submitting a new idea by the early entry cut off, and that grant does not close the door on the bigger awards, because you can keep editing your application until the final closing date. After that, 66 winners across the three countries are selected: 30 Civic Promise Awards of USD 250, 30 Civic Impact Awards of USD 1,000 and 6 Civic Leadership Awards of USD 5,000.
The support around the funding is arguably the more lasting part. Every participant gets peer feedback on the platform, on demand training, live info sessions and office hours with the Ashoka team, and the chance to become a certified Ashoka Youth Venturer whether or not they win. Winners receiving USD 250 or more may be considered for an in person convening in Kenya during the week of 26 July 2027, with airfare, accommodation, ground transport and meals covered, plus chaperone travel for participants under 18.
Two dates matter. Applicants in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa who want a Civic Seed Grant should submit a new idea by 10 October 2026, and the final date for everyone to submit is 31 January 2027, both at 11:59 in the evening Eastern Time in the United States. Applications go through the online platform, so creating your account is the real first step.
What you receive
- USD 50 Civic Seed Grant for each of 25 early applicants per country in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa
- 30 Civic Promise Awards of USD 250, 30 Civic Impact Awards of USD 1,000 and 6 Civic Leadership Awards of USD 5,000, shared equally across the three countries
- Peer feedback from other applicants on the online platform
- On demand training plus live info sessions, office hours and reviewers to the rescue support sessions
- The chance to become a certified Ashoka Youth Venturer, win or lose
- Consideration for an in person convening in Kenya during the week of 26 July 2027 for winners receiving USD 250 or more, with travel, accommodation and meals covered and chaperone travel for participants under 18
Who can apply
- Aged between 5 and 20 when you apply, and not older than 20 by the end of the entry period on 31 January 2027
- Currently resident in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, the United States or a US territory, citizenship is not required
- Applying with a youth led idea or project, with the primary project lead under 20
- The project must be designed and delivered in one of the eligible countries
- Applicants 17 or younger in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa must apply with an adult, and a parent or guardian must consent and review the terms
- Entries must be submitted in English
Who should not apply
- Employees of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation or Ashoka, and their children and grandchildren
- Applicants over the age of 20 by the end of the entry period
- Projects based outside Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, the United States and US territories
Documents to prepare
- A clear description of the community challenge your project responds to, who it affects and why it matters
- Your proposed solution, the activities you plan and who will benefit
- An explanation of your own role as the young project leader
- A cover image for your initiative
- The current stage of your initiative, whether a new idea or an existing project
- Parent or guardian consent for applicants 17 and under in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa
How to apply
- Create an account on the Ashoka Changemakers platform using the application link for this challenge
- Open the Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership page and select Apply Now
- Complete the application with your community challenge, your solution, your role as the youth leader, the expected impact and a cover image for your initiative
- Submit by 10 October 2026 with a new idea to be considered for one of the 25 USD 50 Civic Seed Grants in your country
- Keep editing your application up to the final deadline of 31 January 2027, since an early seed grant does not decide your place among the finalists
- Join an info session, office hours or a reviewers to the rescue session for feedback before you submit
Selection process
- A Challenge Jury appointed by the Challenge Partners scores the eligible entries
- Early applicants with new ideas submitted by 10 October 2026 are considered first for the USD 50 Civic Seed Grants, 25 per country in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa
- Finalists and winners are then selected from the full pool, with 66 winners distributed equally across the three countries
- The value of each award is set by the jury according to the merit and needs of the initiative, and the decisions of the Challenge Partners are final
- Winners are required to take part in the July 2027 convening
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Do I have to be a citizen of Nigeria, Kenya or South Africa to apply?
No. You must currently live in one of the eligible countries, but citizenship is not an eligibility requirement.
What does youth led mean for this challenge?
The project must be led by a young person, with the primary project lead under 20, and it should show real youth leadership in identifying the problem and delivering the response.
If I win the early USD 50 seed grant, am I a finalist?
No. The seed grant is a separate early recognition. You can keep improving and editing your application until the final deadline and still be chosen as a finalist.
Can I apply if I have won another Ashoka youth challenge before?
Yes. Winners of other Ashoka youth challenges can apply as long as they meet every eligibility requirement for this challenge.
What can I spend the seed grant on?
Anything that helps your idea move forward. The organisers say to use it on whatever is most helpful for your venture, and they will support you in working out how.
Is there an application fee?
No. Applying is free, and you only need an account on the online platform to submit.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
