The Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards 2024/25 will recognize five innovative ideas and projects from individuals, organizations, networks, or community groups with seed funding of US$7,500.
Uplifting Humanity
Under the core theme “Uplifting Humanity,” we are searching for innovations that challenge the status quo and bridge divides. Whether you’re pursuing Tech for Good, exploring the intersection of Climate and Social Justice, working on Bridging Citizens and Government, or demonstrating Community Resilience, we want to hear about it!
Award Categories
The five awards will be presented under the following categories:
- Individual Award: Recognizes the achievements of a single person who has demonstrated innovative thinking and made a significant impact through creative interventions in their community.
- Organisation Award: Recognizes an organization that has transformed its ways of working and made a positive impact through its collective efforts. The award acknowledges the organization’s commitment to creativity, collaboration, and the change they have brought to their community or the sector.
- Youth Award: Recognizes the outstanding achievements of young innovators who have demonstrated inspiring creativity and made a difference with their interventions.
- Community Award: Recognizes individuals, groups, or organizations whose efforts have led to betterment in their community. The award acknowledges their commitment to addressing local challenges, fostering collaboration, bridging divides, and fostering growth through their efforts.
Eligibility
Please consider applying if:
- Your innovation is a product, service, or process that creates value and has the potential to make a difference for the better in your community.
- Your innovation, whether a product, service, or process, protects or expands civic space by promoting and defending freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, or freedom of expression.
- Your innovation helps build community and/or promotes social justice.
- You are over the age of 18 at the time of applying.
- Available and excited for two trips to promote Innovation!
- You can apply in English, Arabic, French, or Spanish.
The Prize
- One winner from each category will be selected. Each winning initiative will receive:
- A US$7,500 award to further your amazing work!
- Two fully-funded trips to an Innovation Convening in late May 2025 and to International Civil Society Week from 1 – 5 November 2025, in Bangkok.
- Join CIVICUS’ Innovation Community!
Awards Timeline
A quick note on the application platform:
The Innovation Awards application platform requires a quick registration to access the application form. This is because your application can be edited until the closing date. Rest assured that your data is secure and will not be shared externally or used beyond the purposes of these awards. Only applications sent through the platform will be accepted. To facilitate collaborative input, here are the application form questions in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.
Ownership of Submissions
- All submissions made for the Nelson Mandela – Graça Machel Innovation Awards remain the exclusive property of the applicant.
- CIVICUS will not use or distribute any submitted materials without the applicant’s explicit permission.
- This ensures that all intellectual property rights and innovative ideas are fully protected and respected.
Application Deadline: 7 March 2025
Method of Apply
Interested and Qualified learn more and
