Applications are open for the 2026 Waislitz Global Citizen Awards, a prestigious global opportunity designed to recognize and support individuals who are creating impactful solutions to end extreme poverty in their communities and beyond. The awards are presented by the Global Citizen and the Waislitz Foundation. Celebrating its twelfth year, the program continues to empower changemakers, innovators, social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who have demonstrated measurable impact through their work.

The 2026 edition of the awards will distribute a total of $300,000 USD across three major award categories, with each winner receiving $100,000 USD to expand and strengthen their initiatives. The awards are open to applicants from all countries around the world and support projects addressing poverty through innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions.  

Eligible applicants are individuals aged 18 years and above who are already leading initiatives with at least one to two years of demonstrated impact toward ending extreme poverty. Applicants may come from nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, for-profit companies, B-corps, or any legally registered entity that is making a measurable social impact. The organizers are specifically looking for people who have introduced innovative approaches that challenge systems allowing poverty to persist and who can show clear evidence of scalability and adaptability in their work. Applications must be submitted in English, and applicants must apply individually rather than through nominations.  

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link to apply.