UNA-Canada Youth Global Citizen Prize 2026: which SDG matters most to you? C$2,500 prize support, ages 14 to 30, Canada residents only

Eligibility note: This prize is open only to young people who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or currently living in Canada. If you’re an African student, worker or newcomer living in Canada, you can apply. If you live in Africa, you can’t, but see the related opportunities open to Africans at the end.

The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) is celebrating its 80th anniversary by relaunching the Youth Global Citizen Prize. Young people aged 14 to 30 are invited to submit a thoughtful, creative response to one question:

“Which Sustainable Development Goal matters most to you, and how would you help advance it?”

A total of C$2,500 in prize support, sponsored by Solara Path, is available.

At a Glance

Organiser	United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada)
Prize	C$2,500 in total prize support (sponsored by Solara Path)
Age	14–30 on the deadline
Who can apply	Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or people living in Canada
Entries	Individual or team
Languages	English or French (other languages with a translation)
Deadline	Not yet announced. Check the official page.

About the Prize

UNA-Canada first ran the Youth Global Citizen Prize in 2020. This relaunch asks young people to treat global citizenship as more than an idea: as a way of thinking, creating, leading and acting on shared challenges. Submissions can be creative and innovative, so you’re not limited to a traditional essay. Check the official page for accepted formats.

Benefits

A share of C$2,500 in prize support
Recognition from UNA-Canada during its 80th-anniversary year
A platform to share your ideas on the Sustainable Development Goals
A strong addition to your CV and to scholarship or university applications

Eligibility

You must be 14 to 30 years old (inclusive) on the application deadline.
You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or currently living in Canada. International students and temporary residents in Canada appear to qualify under “currently residing in Canada”.
Both individual and team entries are allowed, but every team member must be eligible.
Your entry must be original and owned by you or your team.
No generative AI may be used to create, write, design or substantially develop your entry. Basic spelling, grammar and accessibility tools are allowed.
Each person can take part in only one entry, whether individual or team.
Entries can be in English or French. Other languages are accepted with an English or French translation or transcript.

How to Apply

Choose the Sustainable Development Goal that matters most to you.
Develop your response: why that goal matters to you, and what you’d do to help advance it.
Create your submission yourself, without AI tools.
Submit through UNA-Canada’s online form.

Official UNA-Canada Youth Global Citizen Prize application form · UNA-Canada website

Tips for African Applicants in Canada

Bring your two perspectives together. Link an SDG to your experience in your home country and in Canada, for example clean water (SDG 6) in rural Nigeria and Indigenous communities in Canada.
Be specific about action. A concrete plan you could start this year is stronger than a general idea.
Use your own voice. Personal stories stand out, and AI-written content is banned.
Consider a team entry with classmates or members of your community association.