In collaboration with Accenture and the Global Alliance for YOUth, we are proud to launch the Global Shapers Innovation Prize 2026.
The Innovation Prize empowers young changemakers to accelerate positive and lasting change through collective action. The prize recognizes inspiring, uplifting, impactful hub projects with grant funding, training, and mentorship.
Overview
The Innovation Prize represents a significant step forward in our efforts to support youth-led projects capable of driving meaningful social change. Innovation Prize grants support the most promising projects aiming to transform, amplify, and accelerate the impact of Global Shapers. The prize offers:
- Funding for Promising Projects: Projects will be selected to receive grant funding based on their potential to deliver significant, lasting impact in local communities and beyond.
- In-kind Support: Projects will receive tailored non-monetary support (e.g., access to training, digital tools, and advisory expertise) based on their potential
- Linkages Between Generations: The prize creates invaluable linkages and learning opportunities between experienced business leaders and young changemakers. By fostering collaboration, we harness the combined power of experience and fresh ideas to drive change.
Eligibility
- Only projects validated on Forum Spaces (previously TopLink) will be considered. Projects must be up to date and fulfill the community’s standard project criteria.
- Endorsement by your community Champion is required.
- Only one project per hub will be considered each year.
- Hubs that won the prize in the previous year are not eligible to apply again in consecutive years.*
- Cross-hub initiatives are eligible, but only one grant will be awarded, with a clear plan for fund distribution among participating hubs.
- Your hub must be able to receive charitable funds from Switzerland as a registered legal entity or in partnership with a fiscal sponsor.
* Hubs that won the prize in 2025 are not eligible to apply in 2026, ensuring a fair opportunity for other hubs to participate and be recognized.
** A cross-hub initiative is eligible to apply, but only one grant will be awarded for the project. Make sure you are very clear in the application about how the funds will be distributed to other hubs that are participating in the cross-hub initiative, if applicable.
Application Process
Starting in 2026, the Innovation Prize selection process will be integrated into the annual Project Showcase, a more inclusive and participatory approach to identifying and elevating impactful projects across the our community.
- Project validation (23 November 2025) - Hubs must ensure that the projects are updated and validated on Forum Spaces before the project showcase
- Regional project showcases (December - 15 January 2026) - Community Champions host regional showcases where hubs present their most impactful initiatives
- Community Champion nominations (January 2026) - Only projects nominated by Community Champions during or after the Showcase will be considered for the Innovation Prize
- Formal application deadline (27 February 2026) - Shortlisted hubs will receive documents to complete a detailed proposal including: a) a comprehensive project summary aligned with eligibility criteria; b) Proposed budget and funding request; c) Proof of legal registration or fiscal sponsorship
- Interviews and Final Selection (March–April 2026) - Shortlisted hubs will participate in an interview to clarify project plans and impact.
- Prize announcement (July 2026) - Winners will be announced at the Global Shapers Annual Summit 2026
Selected Hubs will be required to answer the following questions in the short application form:
- Sponsors: Provide at least 3 hub members who are championing this hub project.
- Grant Type: New solution (5'000 CHF) or proven solution (10'000 CHF).
- TopLink ID: To be eligible, projects must have been submitted on TopLink.
- Project Name: This should reflect the essence of your solution and be compelling.
- Impact Area: Select up to two of our community's six impact areas.
- Project Solution: Describe a local challenge and how your solution will address it.
- Project Pitch: If you had 1 minute to pitch your project, what would you say?
- Impact: Outline your impact goals including measurable outcomes and targets.
- Criteria: How is your solution innovative, inclusive, feasible and scalable?
- Funding: How will you use the funding to achieve your objectives?
- Mentorship: Which type of training or mentorship would be most helpful to you?
Scoring Criteria
A panel of experienced judges will review applications using the below criteria and a discussion-based process to select this year’s winners.
- Impact: Projects have the potential to make a positive, measurable, and lasting impact on a targeted group of people or the planet.
- Innovation: Projects apply a transformative approach, new technology, creative impact model or unique partnership for solving a local challenge.
- Inclusivity: Projects are designed with and for underserved and/or diverse populations, and hubs demonstrate a deep understanding of these needs.
- Feasibility: Hub members of submitted projects have a realistic, practical and collective plan for implementing the solution locally, including funding it.
- Scalability: Projects have the potential to scale or be replicated across communities and geographies.
We are looking for projects across our community's six impact areas, including:
- Reskilling for the Future: Projects that increase access to education, skills, jobs and the internet, and promote entrepreneurship, ethical innovation, or digital literacy.
- Protecting the Planet: Projects that reduce emissions, fight drought, preserve biodiversity, conserve nature or promote circular economy solutions and sustainability.
- Creating Inclusive Communities: Projects that advocate for human rights, advance social justice or disrupt harmful stereotypes related to gender, race or disability.
- Improving Health and Wellbeing: Projects that improve access to services for mental health, reproductive health and infectious diseases to achieve better health outcomes.
- Strengthening Civic Engagement: Projects that aim to strengthen democracy, mobilize voters, influence policy change or inspire young people to run for office.
- Delivering Basic Needs: Projects that are combating hunger, poverty, homelessness or providing other necessary support to vulnerable groups.
Funding and In-kind Support
Innovation Prize winners will unlock access to:
- Seed Grants: Prize Winners will receive grant funding to bring their projects to fruition or scale, enabling them to make a positive impact on the world. New solutions will be eligible for 5'000 CHF (Incubation Prize) and proven solutions will be eligible for 10'000 CHF (Accelerator Prize), depending on the project's unique needs and status.
- Upskilling Opportunities: We are committed to nurturing and enhancing the skills of our Prize Winners through training and mentorship opportunities. Winners will receive support depending on their needs (e.g. project management, monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, and storytelling support).
As soon as the prize finalists are confirmed, we will initiate the process of signing a grant agreement and transfering funds to your hub or fiscal sponsor.
FAQs
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.