Call for The Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy 2026 is open now!!!
Launched by the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF) and the Democracy and Culture Foundation in 2023, the Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize is awarded annually to a young leader aged 18 to 30 and presented at the Athens Democracy Forum. The award recognises exceptional leadership shown by young activists in defending and promoting democracy, and aims to inspire more young people to commit to the advancement of democracy.
Get the Youth Opportunities iOS App here for the fully-funded opportunities.
Throughout his mandate as Secretary-General of the United Nations and later at the head of KAF, Kofi Annan worked to promote democracy, which he called “a catalyst for better governance, greater security, and human development.” He was also a great believer in youth leadership and inclusion, and he strived to facilitate the participation of young people in local, national and international decision-making forums.
Youth Opportunities invites you to join your preferred channel to get the latest updates directly to your messenger inbox.
1. Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
2. Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
3. Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
4. Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
5. Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/
Democracy, however, is in retreat in many parts of the world, with catastrophic consequences, including the toppling of democratically elected governments, the rise of populist and authoritarian leaders on all continents, and outbreaks of conflict and war. Considering the deteriorating state of democracy globally, the Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize seeks to identify and commend inspiring young people who have shown exceptional commitment to protecting and advancing democracy in their countries.
The winner will receive 10,000 USD and one-year’s mentorship with a recognised democracy expert. The winner will also have the opportunity to speak at the forthcoming Athens Democracy Forum, where they will be presented with their award.
In addition, the winner and nine finalists will receive a scholarship to participate in the One Young World Summit 2026, Cape Town, South Africa, which takes place from 3 – 6 November.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Prize, highlighting actions taken by young leaders to:
- foster genuine participation in decision-making;
- promote peaceful dialogue on divisive political issues;
- advance intergenerational exchange on matters related to democracy;
- give a real voice to people and communities who have traditionally been excluded from decision-making;
- contribute to or advocate for the organisation of free and fair elections and their acceptance;
- protect freedom of assembly, freedom of the press and freedom of expression;
- garner support for the independence of democratic institutions;
- or fight for reform in both the public and private sectors to ensure that democracy adapts, develops and survives as the pre-eminent method of government.
Location:
GreeceBenefits
Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize winner will receive:
- 10,000 USD and one-year’s mentorship with a recognised democracy expert.
- A place to attend the Athens Democracy Forum in Athens, Greece from 29 September – 2 October 2026, including travel and accommodation.
- An invitation to co-curate a session on youth and democracy at the following year’s forum.
Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize winner and nine finalists will receive:
- A fully-funded place to attend the One Young World Summit Cape Town, South Africa from 3 – 6 November 2026.
- Travel to and from Cape Town (flights in economy).
- Hotel accommodation in Cape Town in a private room between 2 – 7 November 2026.
- Lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community, a global network with 20,000+ members in 190+ countries.
- Opportunity to present their work at international fora and conferences.
- Opportunity to connect with the past winners of the Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize.
- Opportunities to engage in additional One Young World-led events and programming, including additional mentorship opportunities
Eligibilities
To be eligible for this prize, you must:
- Be aged between 18 – 30 at the time of the application.
- Have demonstrated capacity for leadership.
- Be willing and able to participate in public activities in the context of the Athens Democracy Forum and One Young World Summit 2026.
- Submit a short video outlining your work defending democracy, and why candidates have chosen to engage in it.
- Submit application in English.
- Submit a letter of support written and signed by an organisation recognised in the field of protecting and advancing democracy. The individual writing candidate’s letter of support should be someone who knows candidate and is familiar with his work. The individual must not be a family member, personal friend, an employee or co-founder of his organisation (if he are also a co-founder). In their letter of support, the individual must:
- State their full name, organisation and title.
- Explain how they know you and for how long they have known candidate.
- Explain their understanding of candidate’s role.
- Explain why they believe candidate’s work helps protect and advance democracy.
- Write the letter in English.
Application Process
- The candidate should begin by carefully reviewing the prize overview and eligibility requirements. It is essential to confirm that they meet all criteria and that their work aligns with the prize’s focus.
- The application form does not save answers until submission. Therefore, the candidate must ensure that every section is completed in one sitting; incomplete applications will not be considered.
- All sections of the form must be filled out thoroughly. Missing information will result in disqualification.
- Wherever possible, the candidate should include tangible impact statistics and evidence to support descriptions of their work. For example: “Our programmes have provided training for 1,300 young people across Ghana, 90% of whom are now in full-time employment as a result. Testimonials are available on our website.”
- The prize committee is also interested in the candidate’s personal story. The candidate should provide context about why they are passionate about the issues they are addressing.
- The candidate should collate all relevant links to their work. Key links include the organisation’s website, LinkedIn profile, articles covering their initiatives, and any coverage of awards or achievements.
- The candidate must not use ChatGPT or AI software to write their answers. All responses should be authentic and personally crafted.
Application Deadline: May 18, 2026 (27 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
