Access to clean water, nutritious food, education, public health, and clean energy remains out of reach for billions of people around the world.
These are the areas where this year’s Cisco Youth Leadership Award and Global Citizen Prize winners are driving meaningful change.
Essentially, the fundamentals — right?
One would hope.
Yet, 2.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water; one in four children is living in severe food poverty; hundreds of millions of children are not in school; more than half of the global population lacks access to essential health services; and limited access to clean energy is contributing to a growing number of people living off-grid and causing millions of premature deaths each year.
From Uganda and Canada to India, these five advocates span the globe, and have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields. Global Citizen is proud to honor them.
The esteemed Global Citizen Prize and Cisco Youth Leadership Award celebrate individuals committed to tackling global issues and recognize achievements aligned with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Get to know the 2026 prize winners below.
Cisco Youth Leadership Award: Diana Virgovicoa, Xatoms
Cisco Youth Leadership Award: Diana Virgovicova, Xatoms
At the age of 17, Diana Virgovicova made her first scientific discovery by designing a molecule capable of purifying contaminated water through a photocatalytic process [one by which light and materials are used to create a catalyst].
Originally from Slovakia, and now a University of Toronto scholar and recipient of the Diploma of Excellence from the Swedish Royal Family, she leads global pilot projects across multiple continents using AI and quantum chemistry through her company Xatoms, where she serves as CEO.
Virgovicova has been recognized by the World Economic Forum and is a passionate mentor supporting young entrepreneurs, especially women, in science and climate.
Global Citizen Prize Award, India: Anoushka Sinha
Global Citizen Prize Award, India: Anoushka Sinha, Anupam Foundation
Anoushka Sinha is a social entrepreneur and human rights activist who has spent the last decade advancing gender equality and education. Since beginning her advocacy efforts at age 10, she has impacted over one million lives. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and the youngest Economic Times 40 Under 40 recipient, she represents a new generation of high-impact leadership.
Sinha's work has earned top global recognition, including the Diana Award, honors from UN Women and the Ford Foundation, and distinction among India’s most influential women. She also serves as the youngest advisor to the World Bank’s S4YE initiative and has been recognized by UNICEF as a Champion for Women and Girls.
Global Citizen Prize Award, Uganda: Krystal Mwesiga Birungi
Global Citizen Prize Award, Uganda: Krystal Mwesiga Birungi, Uganda Virus Research Institute / Target Malaria
Krystal Mwesiga Birungi is an entomologist and malaria advocate with over a decade of experience in malaria research and community engagement.
She works with Target Malaria Uganda, advancing research on mosquito populations while broadening public understanding of scientific innovations. A global health advocate, she has represented Uganda at major international forums and is recognized as a Gates Foundation Goalkeepers Champion and Obama Foundation Africa Leader.
Global Citizen Prize Award, Malawi: Tawonga Nyirenda
Global Citizen Prize Award, Malawi: Tawonga Nyirenda, SeedBiz
Tawonga Nyirenda is a sustainability entrepreneur and the Founder of SeedBiz, an agri-tech company transforming organic waste into animal feed and fertilizer using insect-based technology. Her work supports smallholder farmers, reduces waste, and strengthens food systems.
Recognized as an emerging voice in Africa’s green innovation ecosystem, she has supported hundreds of farmers through Seedbiz and advanced climate-smart, circular agriculture solutions in Malawi — creating green jobs, improving incomes, and promoting environmentally responsible agriculture.
Global Citizen Prize Award, Kenya: Dysmus Kisilu
Global Citizen Prize Award, Kenya: Dysmus Kisilu, Solar Freeze
Dysmus Kisilu is a climate-tech entrepreneur and the Co-Founder & CEO of Solar Freeze, which provides solar-powered cold storage and AI tools to strengthen climate resilience, help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, and increase income. His work combines renewable energy and inclusive business models to strengthen food security across East Africa.
For his ability to scale climate impact, Kisilu has received global recognition, including the F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Impact from Duke University and the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award from UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability.