Following the huge success of this year’s inaugural Queen’s Young Leaders Awards at Buckingham Palace in June, the search is on to find the next 60 exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth to become the Queen’s Young Leaders of 2016.
If you, or someone you know, is doing inspirational work in their community, apply or nominate them for an Award today.
The Queen’s Young Leaders Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people aged 18-29 who are taking the lead to transform the lives of others and make a lasting difference in their communities.
The Programme aims to create new and exciting opportunities for young people, enabling them to step up as leaders and improve the lives of many others in the Commonwealth.
As well as receiving their Award from Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace, winners will receive a bespoke Awards package, which includes a year of training and mentoring from the University of Cambridge.
Award winners will also take part in a week-long residential programme in the UK, during which they will spend two days attending workshops at the University of Cambridge, meet with senior UK political and business leaders, and receive guidance from well-established social action projects.
One of the Award winners of 2015, Kate Row, from Australia said: “If you’re a young leader in your community, then apply! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity – there is nothing better to do in terms of leadership development.”
The search for the Queen’s Young Leaders Award winners was launched in 2014 by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry on behalf of The Queen.
The winners of 2015 came from all over the Commonwealth and are working to support others, raise awareness and inspire change on a variety of different issues including; education, climate change, gender equality, mental health and attitudes towards disability.
Dr Astrid Bonfield, Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust said: “Talented young people from all spheres of life are transforming their communities and societies for the better.
The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme aims to recognise their achievements and develop their leadership skills further.
Over the four year lifetime of the Programme we hope to find an Award winner from every single Commonwealth country.
You could be supporting people with mental health issues, or improving the lives of people with disabilities, or be working to mitigate the effects of climate change.
If you think you are deserving of this once-in-a-lifetime Award, or know somebody who is, please do not hesitate to apply.”
The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme was established by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in partnership with Comic Relief and the Royal Commonwealth Society in recognition of The Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.
Over the next three years the Programme will support thousands of young people. In addition to the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards, the Programme will provide grants to support organisations in selected countries across the Commonwealth that work with young people to transform their lives.
Young people from all across the Commonwealth can apply or be nominated now to win an Award and become a Queen’s Young Leader of 2016.
Applications close on Monday 7th September. Visit www.queensyoungleaders.com for more information.
