The Global Citizen Waislitz Awards have officially launched their twelfth annual search for dedicated individuals leading the charge against extreme poverty.
Presented in partnership by the Melbourne-based Waislitz Foundation and Global Citizen, the program seeks to empower innovators who are making a measurable difference in their communities.
Alex Waislitz, Chairman and Founder of the Waislitz Foundation, views the effort to end extreme poverty as a global obligation rather than a choice.
The foundation’s goal is to inspire thousands to take action by highlighting and supporting those who improve living standards for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Funding and benefits
This year’s competition features a total prize pool of $300,000 USD, divided into three distinct awards of $100,000 each.
These include the Global Citizen Waislitz Prize, the Disruptor Award for innovative systems change, and the Global Citizens’ Choice Award, which incorporates public voting.
Beyond the cash injection, which is provided unconditionally to the winners’ organizations, recipients will receive significant visibility.
Winners will be profiled in exclusive editorial pieces featured across Global Citizen’s international platform and social media channels.
Application requirements and eligibility
The competition is open to individuals aged 18 or older from any corner of the globe who represent a registered legal entity, such as a non-profit, B-corp, or social enterprise.
While the prize is awarded to an individual, the funds are specifically allocated to the organization they lead or work for.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a solid “Proof of Concept” with at least one to two years of documented impact toward ending extreme poverty.
Additionally, all submissions must currently be completed in English, though the judging focuses on the merit of the work rather than linguistic expression.
Candidates will be evaluated on five core criteria: their embodiment of global citizenship, the scalability of their model, and their ability to adapt to changing conditions.
Judges also look for “disruption,” favoring projects that innovate to break the systems allowing poverty to persist.
Deadline
Interested changemakers must submit their applications before the window closes on June 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST.
The application process officially opened on May 19, 2026.
Semi-finalists will be notified by early July and will move forward to a final round involving a public vote.
The three final winners will be notified of their status on or around August 3, 2026.
To apply, visit The Global Citizen Waislitz Awards call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
