Commonwealth Youth Awards 2025: 20 Young Changemakers Shortlisted for Global Recognition

Twenty outstanding young individuals from across the Commonwealth have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. These changemakers, including social entrepreneurs, climate advocates, and community health leaders, have been recognized for their exceptional contributions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and driving impactful change within their communities.

The top regional winners, along with the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, will be announced on March 12, 2025, at a special awards ceremony hosted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC. The event will be livestreamed globally on YouTube and Facebook, offering a platform to celebrate youth-led innovations that are transforming lives across the 56-member states.

Unprecedented Global Participation

This year, the Commonwealth Secretariat received an overwhelming 800 applications, carefully reviewed by a panel of 54 Pan-Commonwealth adjudicators. After a rigorous selection process, the final 20 candidates were chosen from an initial shortlist of 31.

Commending the finalists, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC emphasized their role in shaping a fairer, more sustainable, and prosperous future for 1.7 billion young people across the Commonwealth. The awards not only celebrate their achievements but also amplify their voices on a global scale.

Strategic Partnerships to Scale Impact

To further enhance the impact of the awards, the Khalili Foundation and the Commonwealth Foundation have partnered with the Commonwealth Secretariat to support the finalists’ initiatives. These collaborations will provide young leaders with the resources and visibility needed to expand their work and inspire more youth-driven development projects.

Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, highlighted the importance of recognizing young people as key drivers of innovation in addressing global challenges with creativity and resilience.

Event Highlights & Commonwealth Day Celebrations

The Commonwealth Youth Awards 2025 will be a key event in the celebrations of Commonwealth Day on March 10, 2025. The award ceremony will take place at Marlborough House, London, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, in the presence of government officials, youth leaders, and key stakeholders.

Recognizing Excellence: The 2025 Finalists

The regional finalists, listed alphabetically by region, are:

Africa Region

• Comfort Peace Ayikoru (Uganda)
• Faith Kuya (Tanzania)
• Fredrick Kioko Kilonzo (Kenya)
• Stanley Anigbogu (Nigeria)

Asia Region

• Keyaan Shah (India)
• Murad Ansary (Bangladesh)
• Putri Humairah Binti Monashofian (Malaysia)
• Smriti Bhaya (India)

Caribbean & Americas Region

• Joshua Andall (Grenada)
• Kache Hanna (The Bahamas)
• Nicholas Kee (Jamaica)
• Romario Simpson (Jamaica)

Europe & Canada Region

• Christopher Lee (Canada)
• Justin Langan (Canada)
• Rateb Ajamieh (Canada)
• Zubair Junjunia (United Kingdom)

Pacific Region

• Bethalyn Kelly (Solomon Islands)
• Jack Anderson (Australia)
• Malaki Tito (Samoa)
• Ruby Riethmuller (Australia)

PEACE Awards: Recognizing Global Harmony Advocates

In addition to the Commonwealth Youth Awards, the Khalili Foundation has introduced the PEACE Awards, recognizing five exceptional young individuals for their contributions to fostering peace and social equity. Each winner will receive £2,000 to further their efforts in conflict resolution and community-building.

The PEACE Awards winners are:

• Abongdoh Maluyane Titu (Cameroon)
• Daphine Namagembe (Uganda)
• Emmanuel Cosmas Msoka (Tanzania)
• Fakhar Jabran (Pakistan)
• Hafsah Muheed (Sri Lanka)

Funding & Future Prospects

The Commonwealth Foundation has pledged up to £30,000 in funding to support the awards, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to empowering young leaders and advancing sustainable development across member states.

The Commonwealth Youth Programmed, which has been active for over 50 years, continues to play a pivotal role in engaging, supporting, and celebrating youth-led initiatives. The 2025 Youth Awards serve as a testament to the power of young people in driving global change and shaping a brighter future.