Applications are now open for the 2025–2026 Young Aurora Program, presented by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and United World Colleges (UWC). Student teams can submit humanitarian project proposals for a chance to win a $10,000 grant.
About the 2025-2026 Young Aurora Program
The Young Aurora Program is a global youth competition that empowers students to address pressing humanitarian challenges through innovative, community-based projects.
Launched in 2017 by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative in partnership with United World Colleges (UWC), the program serves as a platform for young changemakers to transform empathy into action. By combining creativity, teamwork, and sustainability, students design projects that make a tangible difference in their communities.
To date, 145 projects from 19 partner schools have been evaluated, with 16 grants awarded — totaling over $50,000 in funding for student-led social innovation.
Submissions Now Open for the 2025–2026 Cycle
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and UWC have announced the opening of submissions for the 2025–2026 Young Aurora Program.
This global call invites student teams from UWC schools and the African Leadership Academy (ALA) to submit project proposals that tackle urgent humanitarian challenges in their local environments.
Each project should demonstrate:
- Creativity and innovation
- Sustainability and scalability
- Strong research foundations
- Measurable social impact
Finalists will present their ideas to a panel of global leaders, humanitarians, and entrepreneurs, with the winning team receiving a $10,000 grant to expand their project.
Program Overview and Mission
At its heart, Young Aurora is more than a competition — it’s a leadership development journey.
The program nurtures students’ ability to:
- Identify and analyze social issues within their communities.
- Develop practical, sustainable, and innovative solutions.
- Collaborate effectively in diverse teams.
- Learn from experts and mentors.
The mission aligns closely with Aurora’s global humanitarian goals and UWC’s educational philosophy, which emphasizes peace, sustainability, and intercultural understanding.
Partnerships Powering the Initiative
The Young Aurora Program thrives through powerful partnerships that bring together education, leadership, and humanitarian action.
- Aurora Humanitarian Initiative: A global movement founded to honor gratitude through humanitarian work and inspire future leaders of compassion.
- United World Colleges (UWC): A global network of schools fostering education for peace and sustainability.
- Teach for All: A global network working to expand educational opportunities worldwide.
- African Leadership Academy (ALA): A Pan-African institution cultivating the next generation of African leaders.
Together, these organizations combine expertise and vision to equip young people with the tools to lead with empathy and impact.
How the Young Aurora Competition Works
The Young Aurora Program follows a structured, three-stage process:
1. Project Proposal Submission
Teams of 3–5 students, guided by a mentor or faculty advisor, submit detailed proposals outlining:
- The humanitarian issue they aim to address
- Their proposed solution
- Expected outcomes and sustainability plans
2. Evaluation and Finalist Selection
Each submission is assessed based on:
- Creativity and originality
- Research quality and feasibility
- Sustainability and long-term impact
- Alignment with humanitarian principles
Three finalist teams are selected to present at a Young Aurora Dialogues Online event, attended by educators, humanitarians, and global changemakers.
3. Mentorship and $10,000 Grant Award
Finalists receive tailored mentorship and feedback from experts to refine their initiatives.
The winning team receives a $10,000 grant, media exposure, and ongoing support to expand their project.
Celebrating the 2024–2025 Winning Project: The Chulha Project
The 2024–2025 Young Aurora winners, a team from UWC Mahindra College, impressed judges with their innovative “Chulha Project.”
The project addresses indoor air pollution by replacing traditional mud cookstoves (“chulhas”) with locally manufactured rocket stoves featuring J-shaped combustion chambers.
These stoves:
- Reduce harmful emissions by up to 86%
- Cut firewood usage by 50%
- Protect women and children from smoke-related health risks
Initially targeting 50 households in Maharashtra’s Mulshi Valley, the project combines community advocacy, technical innovation, and environmental stewardship. The team has already begun implementing the initiative using their $10,000 grant.
Spotlight on Previous Winning Projects (2017–2024)
Over the years, Young Aurora has celebrated youth-led projects that have improved lives across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Here are a few highlights:
- Enlightenment (2023–2024) – UWC Changshu China: Empowering rural youth through discussion-based learning that fosters self-confidence and critical thinking.
- Combili (2022–2023) – UWC Dilijan: Turning urban biowaste into fertile soil using child-led garden projects promoting education and sustainability.
- Seed of Hope (2021) – Waterford Kamhlaba UWC: Establishing a youth hub in eSwatini’s Malindza refugee camp to provide online education and a social space.
- Beehive Divide (2020) – UWC East Africa: Building beehive fences to reduce human–elephant conflicts in Tanzania.
- Smokeless Kitchens (2019) – UWC East Africa: Introducing eco-friendly stoves to reduce air pollution in Chagga and Maasai communities.
- Amaavasya (2018) – UWC Mahindra College: Breaking menstrual stigma by empowering women through education.
- DoGood.shop (2017) – UWC Robert Bosch College: Supporting social enterprises through a non-profit online marketplace for refugee-made products.
Each of these initiatives exemplifies youth leadership, sustainability, and compassion in action.
Why Young Aurora Matters: Building Global Youth Leadership
The Young Aurora Program cultivates skills that extend beyond the classroom — fostering empathy, innovation, and accountability.
Participants gain:
- 🌍 Global recognition for their initiatives
- 💬 Mentorship from social entrepreneurs and educators
- 💡 Experience in project design and implementation
- 🤝 Networking opportunities with like-minded changemakers
- 🏆 Access to funding and long-term support
More importantly, Young Aurora instills the belief that every young person has the power to make a difference — no matter where they come from.
How to Apply for the 2025–2026 Young Aurora Program
Interested student teams should:
- Form a group of 3–5 students from a UWC school or the African Leadership Academy.
- Develop a proposal that addresses a specific humanitarian issue.
- Submit through your school’s designated coordinator or online platform.
- Await confirmation and feedback from Aurora representatives.
📧 Enquiries: development@auroraprize.com
🌐 Website: www.auroraprize.com/youngaurora
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for the Young Aurora Program?
Students enrolled in UWC schools and the African Leadership Academy (ALA) are eligible to participate.
2. What is the grant amount?
The winning team receives a $10,000 grant to fund and expand their humanitarian project.
3. What are the judging criteria?
Proposals are evaluated on creativity, sustainability, feasibility, and measurable impact.
4. What kind of mentorship do participants receive?
All teams, especially finalists, receive personalized feedback and expert mentorship to enhance their initiatives.
5. When will the winners be announced?
Finalists will present their projects during a special Aurora Dialogues Online event, with winners announced shortly after.
6. How can schools join as partners?
Interested institutions can contact Aurora at development@auroraprize.com to explore partnership opportunities.
Conclusion
The Young Aurora Program 2025–2026 stands as a testament to the transformative power of youth. By combining education, innovation, and compassion, Aurora and UWC continue to nurture the next generation of global leaders and humanitarians.
As the world faces growing social and environmental challenges, this program reminds us that change begins with empathy and action — and that young people are uniquely positioned to lead that change.
If you’re a student ready to make a difference, seize this opportunity to turn your vision into impact.
👉 Apply now: https://www.auroraprize.com/youngaurora
📩 Contact: development@auroraprize.com
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