The Young Global Changers Recoupling Awards are an integral part of the Global Solutions Summit. They recognize impactful, youth-led projects that drive change on the ground and in local communities, while also serving as an inspiration beyond their immediate impact.
15 non-profit leaders, social entrepreneurs, and civic activists from around the world will present their initiatives addressing a diverse range of challenges including access to clean drinking water, enhancing fiscal transparency, providing clean energy, creating a circular economy, making agriculture sustainable -and much more.
The Young Global Changers are individuals aged 18-35 from around the world who are driving youth-led change with their projects or initiatives. Their activities contribute actively towards a better alignment – a “recoupling” – of economic prosperity with environmental sustainability and the needs of society-at-large.
THE AWARD CATEGORIES
REIMAGINE BUSINESS
Business and commercial activities can drive economic growth, provide employment opportunities, and spark innovation. At the same time, many current business practices lead to excessive waste production, contribute to the depletion of natural resources, exacerbate climate degradation, and perpetuate poor working conditions. These businesses actively and uniquely align their business activities with social and environmental prosperity.REIMAGINE CLIMATE ACTION
Many individuals and disadvantaged groups around the world face significant challenges in accessing basic services like healthcare, food, housing, and education. At the same time, environmental crises like climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss are accelerating – threatening our natural environment and exacerbating social imbalances. These people-first built projects actively and directly support societies impacted by systemic inequities or climate degradation.
REIMAGINE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Around the world, citizens’ trust in government, administration, and public institutions is declining; populism and nationalism are simultaneously on the rise. As a result, we are witnessing a lack of transparency and accountability for decision makers around the globe - and lack of opportunities for citizens and civil society to engage and actively participate in important decisions that directly and indirectly affect their lives. The projects and initiatives selected in this category facilitate and encourage communities to engage in the civic space.ATTEND THE 2025 RECOUPLING AWARDS
Make sure to attend the award ceremony on May 5, 2025, 16:45 CEST at ESMT Berlin, and show your support for the Young Global Changers! During the Summit, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the finalists in person, learn about their projects, and engage with their inspiring work. For the first time at this year’s Summit, all in-person attendees will have ONE vote to cast in favor of one of the 15 Finalists – don’t miss the chance to share which project inspires you the most!
Interested in attending the YGC Recoupling Awards? Contact scholarships@global-solutions-initiative.org to learn more on how to attend.
LEARN ABOUT LAUREATES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
Recoupling Awards 2022 Laureates
Recoupling Awards 2024 Laureates