2023 Applications Are Open
Applications close Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 at 5:00pm PST
About the Awards
The Waislitz Global Citizen Awards are annual cash prizes totaling $250,000 that recognize the excellence of individuals in their work to end extreme poverty. The grand prize is $100,000 with two additional prizes at $75,000 each, for a total of three prizes. The awards are presented by the Waislitz Foundation and Global Citizen, and supported by the leading US and Australian based cellular medicines company, Mesoblast Ltd. and Unico Capital Holdings.
“Ending extreme poverty is not a choice, it's an obligation. My hope is that it will inspire many thousands of people around the world to do what they can to improve the living standards of those in dire need," Chairman and Founder of the Melbourne-based Waislitz Foundation, Alex Waislitz.
The Waislitz foundation exists to create a positive social impact locally and globally through innovative projects that empower individuals to meet their full potential and make a measurable difference to the world.
Prize Description
The 2023 Waislitz Global Citizen Awards feature three awards totaling $250,000.
- $100,000: Waislitz Global Citizen Award (Grand Prize)
- $75,000: The Waislitz Global Citizen Disruptor Award
- $75,000: The Waislitz Global Citizens’ Choice Award
In addition to the cash prizes, the three winners will be profiled in editorial pieces that will be featured on the Global Citizen platform and social media.
Evaluation Criteria
All applicants will be evaluated based on individual merit, including the following five key areas:
- GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP: How does the applicant embody and exemplify the values and practices of a Global Citizen?
- PROOF OF CONCEPT: Does the applicant have a strong proof of concept with at least 1-2 years of impact towards ending extreme poverty?
- DISRUPTION: Has the applicant created measurable impact in an innovative manner that disrupts the systems that allow for extreme poverty to exist?
- SCALABILITY: How would this award enable/support the applicant to scale or improve their work?
- ADAPTABILITY: Can the applicant demonstrate examples of their ability to adapt and evolve to changing conditions?
The grand prize Waislitz Global Citizen Award will be awarded to an applicant based on the 5 criteria listed above.
The Waislitz Global Citizen Disruptor Award will be awarded to an individual who excels in the “Disruption” criteria.
The Waislitz Global Citizens’ Choice Award will be selected with input from public online voting by the Global Citizen community.
Past Winners
2022
Kristin Kagetsu is one of the co-founders/CEO of Saathi, a social enterprise in India that has an inclusive product and model to address lack of access to menstrual products in a sustainable way. She worked on multiple projects including plastic recycling, waste management & natural product development with MIT Design Lab (D-Lab) in Brazil, Nicaragua, & India.
2021
Bina Shrestha has developed deep determination and grit to overcome challenges as a female entrepreneur in South Asia. She managed a cleaning company to empower women, when Nepal was hit by an earthquake destroying 800,000 homes, pushing families into debt and poverty.
Bina co-founded Build up Nepal to make houses safe and affordable for all. Their solution to make eco-friendly bricks from local materials makes houses affordable and creates jobs in poor villages. Build up Nepal has supported 300 entrepreneurs to build 6000 houses, creating 2900 jobs. Build up Nepal is on a mission to build 200,000 homes by 2030 and disrupt the dirty fired brick industry known for child labour and pollution.
2020
Haroon Yasin founded his first company at the age of 19, setting up slum schools that taught street children. In the nine years since then, he has founded Orenda, which produces a uniquely entertaining digital curriculum that embeds education in the child’s daily life so they can learn better. Their mobile app has now reached over half a million children, and the learning material has been vetted by the Government of Pakistan and broadcast on national television to an audience of over 54 million people across the country, many of whom do not have access to education.
2019
Charlot Magayi, founder and CEO of Mukuru Stoves, is an eco-entrepreneur on a mission to eradicate household air pollution in Africa. With over 7 years’ experience in the cookstove industry, Charlot believes in a world where every household is smoke-free and has dedicated her time, skills and knowledge to work towards achieving this dream.
2018
Koketso Moeti saw the potential of cellphones to amplify the voices of poor women and hold the government accountable. Working to turn every cell phone into an active citizenship tool, Koketso founded amandla.mobi which is now a movement of over 900,000 active citizens across South Africa who campaign against poverty.
2017
Wilma Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Saahas Zero Waste believes in persistence and practicality. Wilma has had a diverse career path – from being a tour guide and German language translator in the eighties, to a business journalist in the nineties, and for the past 18 years a pioneer in the Waste Management Industry. When not at work, Wilma likes to spend her time planting and nurturing trees, making compost and being around family.
2016
Clarisse Uwineza, whose Environmental Protection and Organics organization focuses on converting organic waste into fertilizer in Rwanda, said that her project will “help reduce waste and empower farmers to produce more food.” Her BIORGOFERT project converts bio-organic waste into an environmentally friendly and clean fertilizer.
2015
Twesigye Jackson Kaguri, the director of Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project, won the 2015 prize for his work in making education more accessible to AIDS orphans in Uganda. This includes developing schools but also helping the women - or “grandmothers” as he calls them - who raise these orphans.
2014
Anoop Jain, the founder of Humanure Power, won the 2014 prize for his work in rural India building sanitation facilities. Anoop believes that building toilets addresses the underlying causes of poverty, which affect broader health, social, and economic change desperately needed in India.
Announcing the 2020 Waislitz Global Citizen Award Winners
WAISLITZ GLOBAL CITIZEN AWARD
Haroon Yasin
Orenda | Co-Founder and Chairperson
The grand prize winner of the Waislitz Global Citizen Award and the cash prize of $100,000 is Haroon Yasin, Co-Founder and Chairperson of Orenda. Haroon is revolutionizing access to education in Pakistan with a unique educational and entertaining mobile application that has reached over a half a million children and is being aired on national television to reach kids whose schools have closed due to the pandemic.
Waislitz Global Citizen Disruptor Award
Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu
ColdHubs | Founder and CEO
The winner of the Waislitz Global Citizen Disruptor Award and a $50,000 cash prize is Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, Founder and CEO of ColdHubs. Nnaemeka is helping farmers and vendors in Nigeria reduce food spoilage, extend the shelf life of their fruits and vegetables and increase user income with 100% solar powered walk-in cold rooms.
Waislitz Global Citizens’ Choice Award
Farhad Wajdi
Ebtakar Inspiring Entrepreneurs of Afghanistan Organization | Founder and Executive Director
The winner of the Waislitz Global Citizens' Choice Award and a $50,000 cash prize is Farhad Wajdi, Founder and Executive Director of Ebtakar Inspiring Entrepreneurs of Afghanistan Organization. Farhad empowers women to break into the male-dominated profession of food cart vending in Afghanistan, and during COVID-19 converted these food carts into mobile disinfectant units.
Waislitz Global Citizen COVID-19 Response Award
Muzalema Mwanza
Safe Motherhood Alliance | Founder and CEO
The winner of the Waislitz Global Citizen COVID-19 Response Award and a $50,000 cash prize is Muzalema Mwanza, Founder and CEO of Safe Motherhood Alliance. Her organization distributes birth kits and trains birth attendants in Zambia, and is manufacturing PPE during the pandemic for frontline healthcare workers including 3D printed masks and face shields.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Global Citizen?
Who is Alex Waislitz?
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Are the awards for organizations as well as individuals?
Do you only accept non-profits?
I have a lot of great ideas, but am just starting out. Am I eligible for the Awards?
What does the judging criterion “Global Citizenship” mean?
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What are the additional prizes and how are the winners chosen?
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What weight does the public vote have in determining the Waislitz Global Citizens’ Choice Award winner?
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