Young Changemakers

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The world needs young changemakers who set an example

Big change often starts with one young person who refuses to look away. Across the world, children and young people are standing up for their rights and proving that age never stands in the way of impact.

Meet the young changemakers

Young people are changing the world today

Who says you have to wait to change the world? Around the globe, children and young people are standing up for their rights. They protect the climate, defend children’s rights and create solutions for challenges that affect us all.

They are not waiting for tomorrow. They are taking action today.

Why young changemakers matters

The world is changing fast. War, climate change, inequality and growing mental pressures affect children and young people every day. Yet this generation is showing that a different future is possible.

Children have the right to be heard and to help shape the world they grow up in. That is not a privilege. It is a right. When young people are given the space to lead, they bring fresh ideas, courage and solutions that grow from within communities.

That is why KidsRights helps young changemakers step onto the world stage. We connect them, amplify their voices and make sure policymakers, businesses and civil society cannot ignore their ideas.

"At KidsRights, we believe that young people deserve not only protection, but also the stage and opportunities to make an impact. That's why we amplify their voices and help their ideas grow."

- MARC DULLAERT, FOUNDER AND CHAIR KIDSRIGHTS FOUNDATION

Meet our young changemakers

Big change often starts with one young person who refuses to look away. Across the world, children and young people are standing up for the rights of others, protecting their communities and turning bold ideas into action.

At KidsRights, we believe these young changemakers deserve more than applause. They deserve a stage.

For more than twenty years, the International Children’s Peace Prize has helped young changemakers reach the people who can turn their ideas into global movement

Meet the young people who prove that age never stands in the way of impact.

The International Children's Peace Prize

For more than twenty years, the International Children’s Peace Prize has given young changemakers a global stage. The International Children’s Peace prize has grown to become the world’s leading youth prize, honoring children and youth who stand up for children’s rights with courage, perseverance and vision.

Each year KidsRights receives hundreds of nominations from all parts of the world. An independent international expert committee selects the winner based on impact, leadership and courage. The award is presented by a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

The winner receives the iconic Nkosi statue and a €50,000 project fund to reach even more children and build on their initiative.

The impact of young leadership

What happens when one young person dares to act? A movement begins. Every winner of the International Children's Peace Prize inspires others to stand up, speak out and create change.At KidsRights, we help these ideas grow. We give young changemakers a global stage, connect them with the right people and support projects that create lasting impact.

22 winners recognised across 18 countries on 5 continents

in 2025 1.5 billion people reached with the story of the winner

800+ State of Youth chapters active across 70 countries

Meet the 22 winners of the International Children's Peace Prize

How we help young leaders grow

Young people already have the ideas. We help them reach further by giving them the stage, the network and the support to create lasting change.

Through the International Children’s Peace Prize, we shine a global spotlight on courageous young changemakers and help their initiatives grow.

Through State of Youth, we connect young people around the world, giving them the tools and community to turn ideas into action.

Because when one young person gets the chance to lead, many more will follow.

 

The next young leader is already out there

Around the world, children are proving that age is never a barrier to change. Together, we can make sure their voices reach further and their ideas grow stronger.

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