The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education provides significant recognition and financial support to initiatives that advance gender equality in education. Each year, two laureates are selected, and each receives a monetary award of USD 50,000 to help further expand their work and strengthen their educational initiatives.

Beyond the financial award, recipients gain global recognition from UNESCO, which helps amplify their projects and inspire other institutions and organizations to implement similar solutions. The prize also offers international visibility, networking opportunities, and support for scaling impactful educational models that empower girls and women and contribute to achieving global education and gender equality goals. 

Nominations for the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education must be submitted by governments of UNESCO Member States or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are in official partnership with UNESCO. These entities are allowed to nominate up to three candidates each. Individuals, institutions, or organizations that are working to improve girls’ and women’s education through impactful initiatives may be nominated. Self-nominations are not accepted, which means applicants must first connect with their country’s National Commission for UNESCO, Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, or an eligible partner NGO to submit their nomination.

To qualify for the prize, the nominated project or programme must have been established and actively running for at least two years. The initiative should demonstrate clear impact, innovation, and sustainability in promoting education for girls and women. Additionally, the project should show the potential to be replicated or scaled in other communities or regions to expand its impact. An independent international jury composed of experts evaluates the nominations based on their effectiveness, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

All countries (global).

The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education is open to nominations from all UNESCO Member States worldwide, meaning initiatives from any country can be nominated. However, nominations must be submitted through a government of a UNESCO Member State or an NGO that is in official partnership with UNESCO, not directly by individuals.

Click the official link below to apply for this opportunity