16:30, 20 November 2024
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
The 2024 Global Youth Awards celebrated young changemakers from around the world, recognising their positive impact on communities and beyond.
Held on 2nd November, the event brought together 11 to 25-year-olds who have led inspiring projects across five key categories: Education, Environment, Empowerment, and Creativity, each with subcategories in Leadership, Innovation, and Change.
The ceremony began with a speech from the founder of the awards, Tiffany Kelly, who shared:
“I listen to the projects they’re doing and how inspiring they are. Many face significant challenges—limited resources, lack of support systems—but that’s exactly why we exist.
“The Global Youth Awards is not just a celebration of young people; it’s an opportunity to hear their voices and see how they’re inspiring us to do more.”
Made possible by the Legacy Project, the event also provided coaching and mentoring to nominees, offering a platform to recognise their exceptional achievements.
The nominations highlighted the incredible work of youth leaders who are championing human rights, driving innovation, and addressing some of the world’s most urgent challenges. The ceremony celebrated their resilience, creativity, and passion, underscoring the vital role of supporting youth activism in shaping a better future. With a global reach spanning 84 countries, many of the winners joined the event via video call, bringing their inspiring stories and achievements to a worldwide audience.
Hosted by youth presenters Ishaan Shah and Natalie Asatryan (both previous winners), alongside senior host Carly Wilford, the evening was brought to life with dynamic performances from talented young artists. The event featured electrifying acts, including Magpie, the dance group Grounded Movement, and live music from Becca James, Moss, Alessandro, Erica Jean, Chapman Shum, and Amity Miller, adding an extra layer of energy and excitement to the celebration.
To see the full list of winners and learn more about the Global Youth Awards and the Legacy Project, click here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Legacy Project. This charity is part of the RoundTable Global Group which offers development, coaching, and support to young people through initiatives like the Global Youth Awards and the Change Ambassador program. Find out more.
Youth Leads UK. This charity empowers young people to create positive social change through leadership development, advocacy, and community-driven initiatives. Learn more here.
RoundTable Global. This organisation is dedicated to empowering youth through development, coaching, and support, fostering leadership and positive change across communities worldwide. Support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Partnerships For The Goals.
