The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) has unveiled the QECT 100 Young Leaders Awards, a landmark initiative aimed at celebrating young changemakers across the Commonwealth as part of the commemoration of what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday in April 2026.

The programme will honour 100 exceptional young leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 from the Commonwealth’s 56 member states. Awardees will be recognised for their contributions in five critical areas: Education and Employability, Health, Environment, Food and Agriculture, and Inclusion.

According to QECT, the awards are designed not only to celebrate leadership but also to strengthen community impact. Winners will be invited to an official awards ceremony and will have the opportunity to apply for microgrants to grow their initiatives. They will also receive mentorship, capacity-building support, and international media exposure, while joining a dynamic network of changemakers connected to funders, partners, and experts across the globe.

To be eligible, applicants must be founders, co-founders, or leaders of a social impact initiative that has been active for at least 12 months, demonstrate measurable community or global impact, and uphold the values of transparency and ethical leadership. They must also be citizens or permanent residents of a Commonwealth country.

The awards are open to young people born between April 1990 and April 2008. Applications close on Wednesday, 8th October 2025.

Eligible Antiguans and Barbudans are encouraged to apply by visiting: www.queenscommonwealthtrust.org/100yla.