Applications are Open: 2025 Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards for Innovative Individuals Around the Globe
The Nelson Mandela-Graça Machel Innovation Awards recognize and support individuals and organizations around the world who are developing creative and impactful solutions to achieve a more just world and for having a positive impact on citizen rights and justice movements.
It was established in 2004 by CIVICUS. Since their inception, the awards have provided seed funding, communication opportunities, and networking support to help amplify the impact of grassroots initiatives.
The Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards 2024/25 will recognize five innovative ideas and projects from individuals, organizations, networks, or community groups with seed funding of US$7,500.
Uplifting Humanity
- Under the core theme “Uplifting Humanity,” we are searching for innovations that challenge the status quo and bridge divides.
- Whether you’re pursuing Tech for Good, exploring the intersection of Climate and Social Justice, working on Bridging Citizens and Government, or demonstrating Community Resilience, we want to hear about it!
Categories of the 2025 Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards
The five awards will be presented under the following categories:
- Individual Award: Recognizes the achievements of a single person who has demonstrated innovative thinking and made a significant impact through creative interventions in their community.
- Organisation Award: Recognizes an organization that has transformed its ways of working and made a positive impact through its collective efforts. The award acknowledges the organization’s commitment to creativity, collaboration, and the change they have brought to their community or the sector.
- Youth Award: Recognizes the outstanding achievements of young innovators who have demonstrated inspiring creativity and made a difference with their interventions.
- Brave Philanthropy Award: Recognizes those individuals and organizations that promote just and equitable financial partnerships and have exhibited courage and innovation in their philanthropic endeavors.
- Community Award: Recognizes individuals, groups, or organizations whose efforts have led to betterment in their community. The award acknowledges their commitment to addressing local challenges, fostering collaboration, bridging divides, and fostering growth through their efforts.
Eligibility Criterias for the 2025 Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards
Please consider applying if:
- Your innovation is a product, service, or process that creates value and has the potential to make a difference for the better in your community.
- Your innovation, whether a product, service, or process, protects or expands civic space by promoting and defending freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, or freedom of expression.
- Your innovation helps build community and/or promotes social justice.
- You are over the age of 18 at the time of applying.
- Available and excited for two trips to promote Innovation!
- You can apply in English, Spanish, French and Arabic
The Prize for Participating
One winner from each category will be selected. Each winning initiative will receive:
- A US$7,500 award to further your amazing work!
- Two fully-funded trips to an Innovation Convening in late May 2025 and to International Civil Society Week from 1 – 5 November 2025, in Bangkok.
- Join CIVICUS’ Innovation Community!
Awards Timelines
- Deadline: 7th March 2025
- Winners Announced: 1st week of April
- Innovation Convening: May 2025
- 1-5 November 2025: International Civil Society Week in Bangkok
The Innovation Awards application platform requires a quick registration to access the application form.
This is because your application can be edited until the closing date. Only applications sent through the platform will be accepted.
Deadline: 7th March, 2025
