Young leaders are already using new forms of technology to solve problems the world has struggled with for decades. The Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award exists to back them - and, for the first time, is expanding the award to recognize three individual winners.
Launched by Cisco and Global Citizen in 2018, the award recognizes young leaders whose tech-driven work is helping end extreme poverty and advance the UN's Global Goals. For 2027, the awards are bigger than ever.
What's New This Year
Three winners: Three prizes of $250,000 each (terms and conditions apply)
- More eligible leaders: The age range now extends to 35, up from 30.
Meet Last Year's Winner
Diana Virgovicova grew up in a Slovak village of 800 people. At 17, she used quantum chemistry to design a molecule that uses sunlight to break down pollutants in water. Today, she's CEO of Xatoms, the company she co-founded to discover materials that clean some of the world's most polluted water.
Her team uses AI to compress molecule discovery from roughly 10 years to about 30 days. Xatoms is now working with Indigenous communities in Canada under long-standing boil water advisories and integrating solar-activated purification into water kiosks in Kenya.
She also mentors young founders, especially women in science and climate. Her message to the next generation of applicants:
"We want to show the world, it really doesn't matter how old you are, where you come from, or what financial background you have, you can really start a business."
What Judges Look For
Applicants apply as individuals and are judged holistically across five equally weighted criteria:
Impact: Measurable impact at scale over the last 3 to 5 years, advancing one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Vision: Concrete plans for the next 3 to 5 years, including how the prize will accelerate the work.
Catalyst: Inspires other young people to act on the Global Goals.
Global Citizenship: Embodies the values of a Global Citizen and global problem solver.
Technical Innovation: Uses technology, artificial intelligence or internet-based communications to improve efficiency, expand reach and magnify impact.
Who Can Apply
Age: 18 to 35 at the time of application.
Organization: Actively involved with an organization or initiative using technology to address poverty and inequality.
Purpose: Proven commitment to economic development, health, education or other Global Goals work.
What the Application Looks Like
The application consists of four parts:
About You: Basic personal and organizational information.
Your Pitch: A 1-to-2-minute video on why you should win and how your work advances the Global Goals.
Judging Criteria: Short answers on impact, vision, catalyst, global citizenship and technical innovation.
Organization Details: Additional information, including proof of registration.
How to Stand Out
Lead with the problem, then the proof. Diana's story starts with what she saw firsthand. Name the problem, then show the numbers that prove you're moving it.
Make the tech make sense. Judges don't need a technical manual. "10 years to 30 days" says more than a paragraph of jargon.
Show where it goes next. Be specific about what $250,000 unlocks.
Show who you lift up. The catalyst criterion rewards leaders who bring others with them.
Keep the video human. Talk to the camera like you'd talk to someone you want to recruit to your mission.
Ready to Apply?
Applications close Dec. 18, 2026, at 5PM ET. Learn more and apply now here.
Since 2018, Global Citizen and Cisco have been long-standing partners in efforts to end extreme poverty. Follow Global Citizen on social for updates on the 2027 winners.