Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge
Social Shifters has opened its call for applications for the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge, targeting young changemakers around the world who are leading social or environmental projects.
The initiative is designed to support youth-led ideas that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing funding, learning resources, and access to global networks.
The call is open to individuals and groups aged 18 to 30, with successful applicants eligible for grant funding ranging from $1,000 to USD 15,000.
Youth Leadership at the Centre
The Global Innovation Challenge is specifically intended for young founders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of submission and hold a leadership role in the project or startup they are entering.
Teams or organizations must also be majority youth-led, meaning young people must hold at least 51% of ownership in a registered entity or make up the majority of key decision-makers in an unregistered group.
Those over 30 years old may participate in a supporting role, such as a mentor or advisor, but may not be listed as team members or hold primary authority over the project submitted.
Who Can Apply
The challenge is open to a broad range of applicants working on early-stage initiatives, whether they are part of a formal organization or operating informally as a group.
Eligible projects must:
- Be genuinely youth-led
- Have a clear social or environmental impact
- Align with at least one UN SDG
- Present an innovative approach to a pressing challenge
Unregistered groups or initiatives must demonstrate at least six months of continuous work, show tangible progress, and have an actively committed team.
Registered startups or organizations, whether for-profit or nonprofit, must be no more than five years old and should show both active operations and a track record of development since their establishment.
The Challenge accepts a wide range of project types, including new ventures, initiatives within existing organizations, or even pilot solutions being tested for the first time.
What the Program Offers
Through this challenge, Social Shifters aims to strengthen the capacity of young leaders by offering a combination of funding, technical support, and global exposure.
1. Grant Awards
Applicants may receive grants between USD 1,000 and USD 15,000, depending on the type of award and sponsor focus.
Some grants are open to all eligible applicants, while others target specific regions, impact themes, or sectors.
Final grant amounts will depend on the type of support offered and the number of sponsors contributing.
New sponsors may join during the challenge period, potentially increasing the value and variety of awards.
2. Founder & Project Support
All finalists will receive free access to learning materials, along with pitch coaching to help refine their presentation and impact model.
The support is intended to strengthen their submission and enhance their readiness to receive funding or scale up their idea.
3. Global Opportunities Network
Beyond the competition, participants will gain access to the Social Shifters Opportunities Network, which offers year-round connections to additional funding, paid placements, training programs, and global community engagement.
How Projects Are Evaluated
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of at least five independent judges, selected for their expertise across innovation, sustainability, and impact investing. Applications are assessed based on four core criteria:
- Impact – The potential of the project to address a defined social or environmental issue
- Feasibility – Whether the plan of action is practical and thought through
- Innovation – The originality or uniqueness of the idea or approach
- Scalability – The ability of the project to expand or be replicated in other contexts
Judges will be looking for submissions that demonstrate both creativity and real-world potential. Proposals that are community-rooted, data-informed, or collaborative may receive particular attention.
Application Process and Deadline
Applications must be submitted through the official Social Shifters Challenge platform no later than 31 July 2025 at 5:00 PM GMT.
One submission qualifies entrants for consideration across multiple grant categories, depending on their alignment with the sponsor’s focus areas.
Finalists will be contacted after the review process, and selected grantees will be invited to join a global cohort of young changemakers building sustainable solutions across health, climate, education, economic inclusion, and other SDG-aligned sectors.
Where to Learn More
Full application details, eligibility criteria, and resources can be found on the official Challenge platform:
https://www.socialshifters.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Social-Shifters-Global-Innovation-Challenge-2025-Competition-FAQS.pdf
About Social Shifters
Social Shifters is a global nonprofit supporting the next generation of young leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs tackling the world’s most urgent challenges.
By connecting youth with learning programs, funding, and worldwide networks, Social Shifters helps unlock bold solutions that create real change in communities and across borders.
The organization works at the intersection of youth leadership, innovation, and social impact, building platforms that empower young people to turn ideas into action.
